The Ukelele is makeing a comeback.

Those that listen to Animal Collective know vaguely what to expect from the group. And from Paw Tracks, their label, there has been a steady flow of music in some way related to the groups output.

There is some relation between Dent May and Animal Collective – not too much, but some. The inundation of pop basics from both (or at least when AC chooses to go that route) are really bloody endearing. That doesn’t make the specter of Dent any less bizarre.

Clad in self-aware thrift store finds and sporting a pretty ridiculous pair of glasses, May is another real-life Toby Radcliffe. The vision of May with his instrument might be a bit off putting at shows, but if King Django can do it, so can this guy.

On “Oh Paris,” he may speak trivialities about the city, but for some reason it’s pretty engaging. I’m sure he figured that when he choose the ukulele as his main instrument though. The very basic rhythm works well with the sparse abilities of the ukulele as a lead instrument. And really, the strongest part of the offering is Dent’s voice. It seems too self assured to be coming out of this man, but is instantly pleasing, if not overwhelmingly beautiful. The video that accompanies it won’t make him a teenage heart throb – unless you have a bob (that’s a hair-do), wear knee socks and listen to a lot of crooners from the ‘50s or ‘60s.

Recommended for pop fans and proponents of the ukulele.

Tour Dates:
2/20 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret
2/21 Seattle, WA Neumos
2/22 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
2/24 Sacramento, CA Harlow's
2/25 San Diego, CA Casbah
2/26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
2/27 Santa Barbara, CA SOho Restaurant and Music Club
2/28 San Francisco, CA The Independent
3/01 Eugene, OR John Henry's
3/02 Boise, ID Neurolux
3/05 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar
3/06 Chicago, IL Schubas
3/07 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room at The Crofoot
3/08 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
3/10 Ithaca, NY Castaways
3/11 Toronto, ONT Lee's Palace
3/12 Montreal, QC Il Motore
3/13 Providence, RI Club Hell
3/14 Boston, MA Paradise
3/15 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom