The Knocks

The Knocks play unabashedly sugary pop music - bouncing synths, hyper vocals, and a striking contrast between booming bass and melodies that threaten glass with high trebles. All of that was on display at Bowery Ballroom on the second night of CMJ 2k10. Mixing samples-heavy cuts, remixes, and originals, The Knocks put on a party that got even tired-footed CMJers dancing. Visually, the duo isn't particularly interesting; two guys behind laptops and synths is nothing we haven't seen before. To spice things up, the pair brought on a couple of golden winged dancers to adorn either side of a cotton-candy blue sign that proclaimed "The Knocks" at the front of the stage. In the end, though, the tunes are the reason to see these kids spin.