They’ve been called everything from “piano-powered rock” and “post-emo” to “what Ben Folds’ first breakup might have sounded like.” I’ll buy all those descriptors, but the Southern California rock quintet Something Corporate is all about living in the moment. Cleveland has been an instrumental city in the band's rise to popularity, with several tour stops here over the last 18 months -- proof that Clevelanders do know talent when they hear it. For 90 electrifying minutes, the sold-out crowd at the House of Blues last Tuesday was definitely on board. Since their first major label releases Audioboxer and Leaving Through the Window, Something Corporate has come a long way – all-too-familiar young love-and-hate themes are maturing as rapidly as their sound is. Two years of non-stop touring has something to do with it; but just as important is North, their most recent release. Filled with earnest lyrics, North focuses on the damage done in being absent from those you love. While they certainly didn’t ditch their “boy loves girl but loses the girl” premise, Andrew McMahon and company fashioned a cleverly crafted and tight-sounding set. Driven by McMahon’s piano and the extensive guitar work of Josh Partington, and William Tell has been replaced by a cat named Bobby Raw, who looks strikingly similar to him. SC definitely separated themselves from their “emo” peers on this particular eve. The band opened up with “As You Sleep” and rolled through a rollicking set that included “21 and Invincible,” “Only Ashes” and “Punk Rock Princess,” showcasing just how tight the rhythm section of drummer Brian Ireland and bassist Clutch really are. A fan-favorite epic “Konstantine” also graced the set. It was the one moment where the crowd stopped the surfing and other pit-related antics for a moment and just sang along, note-for-glorious-note. Older crowd favorites “Hurricane” and “If You C Jordan” rounded out the show. You know, critics aren’t supposed to smile at a show, but this reviewer just couldn’t help himself. When the audience ponied up their best “F*** You Jorrrrdaaann!” magically on-cue and in-tune – it just hammered that energetic song and the amazing show home. No lack of energy or enthusiasm here, even after all those miles. Pay attention, all you hungry bands out there: SC could have easily sat back and done a bland, boring run-through of their new live DVD if they wanted to. Who would blame them? But the band cares about their music, their reputation and perhaps most importantly, their fans. And it showed. from Cool Cleveland contributor Pete Chakerian peter_chakerian@yahoo.com (:divend:)