Rested, invested, and road-tested, Teddy Geiger returned to Water Street Music Hall to pack the club side with adoring fans Friday, January 6. Geiger's fan base has grown up, as I spied a lot more heels and make-up in the audience than his previous teen-idol status might have implied. Also grown up is the music on his new album, "The Last Fears." It was a less-mopey Geiger who thrilled the crowd of about 300 with his introspective simplicity. It was nice, but I've had my fill of nice lately. Maybe I'm the only one - it wouldn't be the first time - but I'd like to hear Geiger get tough. I'd like to hear Geiger get mean.

Meanwhile, back in the jungle, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad was on the big stage, replacing its big one-drop with a swinging acoustified 2/4 two-step. That's because the band's new album, "Country," is just that: country. This isn't just a lark. Honestly, it's as if GPGDS had always been a country band in the vein of, say, The Flying Burrito Brothers. Though the punch wasn't quite the same - not better or worse, just different - the intensity and harmonic layering at the show was simply beautiful. This just furthers my prediction that this band is going to be huge. What will these cats do next?

It was out to the Lovin' Cup with not one, but two blonde arm charms to catch Bloomfield boys, Blue Jimmy. Life has a way of getting in the way and the band hasn't played out in a while. The rest must have done them good, because they were chomping at the bit while nursing pre-gig brews before taking the stage, and immediately hit on all eight cylinders. The harmonies were sweet over the band's effortless twang 'n' bang. As far as pickers go, Greg Gefell is a brilliant double-threat, whether slinging a guitar or parked behind the pedal steel, where he painted a picture of a whole new kind of lonesome. It still hurts a little bit as I write this. I think it's supposed to.