Pearl and the Beard, Killing the Darlings. This quirky harmony vocal multi-frontperson assemblage, with eclectic small classical/rock combo backing immediately had me thinking of Human Sexual Response, the incredible Boston-based new wave act of the ‘90s. But ultimately Pearl and the Beard are closer to The Roches or The Nylons—infectious energy and clever arrangements, lulling rather than transcendent. That’s not to say that “The Lament of Coronado Brown” and “Black Hole of Calcutta” don’t kill with their slow-burn multi-layered bluesy build-ups.