As I listen to Chicago/NYC based Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, I can picture Mr Furman’s childhood as aspiring indie rocker, the colorful sounds of early Beatles and the nasal voice of Bob Dylan on a portable record player filling his bedroom. You can hear these influences in the band’s best songs such as “Take Off Your Sunglasses” with its harmonica reminiscent of “Love Me Do" or "From Me to You," and the expressive, pressing vocals, telling everyday stories with a two notes melody. Ezra’s charming naivete is evidenced most as he squeals lyrics such as “I dove into your heart like a pool…” (it goes on to rhyme with “fool”) in “The Stakes Are High.” As their music evolves, this band needs to raise the stakes, listen to early John Darnielle and focus their energy on what they do best–rollicking pop tunes. Ezra Furman and the Harpoons next show will be in Chicago at Belmont Harbor on September 3. – Whitney Phaneuf