I have to give some amazing congratulations to Casper and the Cookies. They played to a packed, but stone-faced crowd Thursday night at the Dame. Opening for the Apples in Stereo, Lexington’s infrequently appearing darlings, they really had their work cut out for them.

Even so, Jason and his merry band did their best to win over those in attendence. They jumped through selections from their new album The Optimist’s Club, but really got the magic working when they made a simple announcement. They were going to be playing a little song called “Sweet Transvestite.”

MP3: Capser and the Cookies – Sweet Transvestite

To say that I was galvanized by their proclamation was an understatement. Jason’s superb vocal delivery was bested only by his suddently-transcendental showmanship. He jumped off stage and really worked his new persona. After the audience’s stoney exterior was broken through a little Tim Curry-channeling, the band kicked into the Who’s “I’m a Boy,” a song which they declared was “another indie classic.”

As much as my fellow Casper fans may balk at the idea that the highlight of their set was the pair of covers, that was probably the best live music moment of the new year for me.