While I was sleeping, Tapes ‘n Tapes went and turned into a fairly big band. They’ve done Letterman, played Leeds, and packed a mid-sized venue in a no-nothing city in one of the more backwards states (Kentucky, you know I love you). But it’s not without reason: as their show Thursday showed, they’re a powerful live act with a strong catalogue — small though it may be.

My favorite thing about Tapes ‘n Tapes’ show was that the new songs they showcased were actually really, really good. The second, “Headshot”, felt straight out of Modest Mouse’s early catalogue, complete with Brock-level slurred speach. But the real winner was “Hang ‘Em All.” It was snuggled between “Cowbell” and “Insistor” at the end — a rough home for any song, let alone a new one, but it absolutely blew me away. Its simple riff was an energetic punch to a great tune. Mark my words, “Hang ‘Em All” is going to be the “Cowbell” of 2008.