XNY have the kind of chemistry that has to make other bands jealous. It isn’t every day that you hear something so large and well thought out, channeled through such piecemeal instrumentation. On the surface, it’s very simple. Singer Pam Autuori sings her tensions and releases over Jacob Schrieiber’s booms and grooves… but really, these are some heroic jams that carve out an enormous territory with each song. On their new record ‘Through the Wall,’ the band’s production has increased in scope, but the songs maintain a deeply felt relationship between these old friends. Songs ‘Another Way’ and ‘Make Me’ especially have a searing edge that tears you open with lyrics that come crashing through Jacob’s kit, and grooves that belie the band’s supposed limitations. Make no mistake. With just two members, XNY have managed to build a world larger than most ensembles plenty times their size. – See them when they play May 31 at Rockwood Music Hall. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
