Photo by: Bryan Bruchman

It's a cult-y thing, a Mountain Goats show. And I'll admit this up front: I've been a believer since 1993, since back when the Mountain Goats catalog was mostly just John Darnielle bashing a guitar and singing into a four-track. In recent years, as Darnielle has moved toward cleaner recordings and more complex arrangements, more devotees have found their way into the fold—and this can only be a good thing. Fellow fanatics would agree, it's not about old-schoolers vs. newbies. It's about winning as many converts as possible, and coming together at the show to celebrate our common ground.

So the Music Hall of Williamsburg was packed on Wednesday, and Darnielle (despite being "sick in about seventeen different ways") was able to offer something for everyone, plus plenty of his trademark patter. The first half of the set was just him and his guitar; he dug into his 500-song repertoire for old favorites like "The Recognition Scene" and "Against Agamemnon," which was prefaced, as is not unusual for Darnielle, with some snappy discourse about mythology. Requests were shouted out, as they always are, and when he obliged with "Going to Port Washington," several audience members made sounds rather like the sounds teenagers used to make at the Beatles. (To the girl who jumped when I screamed in your ear: sorry!)

For the second half Darnielle was joined by his touring band—longtime bass accomplice Peter Hughes and drummer Jon Wurster, on loan from Superchunk—and ventured into newer territory, including a blistering rendition of "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" from his new record, Heretic Pride. The Mountain Goats as full-on rock band, who knew?

Though the crowd had sympathy for Darnielle's illness and creaky vocal cords, there was no way we were letting him leave without an encore. He came up with a compromise: he'd do "No Children" and "The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton," but he'd let us do the singing. Not a problem. Mountain Goats fans know the words. Moments later, 550 people were grinning and chanting the "Death Metal Band" chorus - "Hail Satan!" - at the top of their lungs. At the risk of sounding, well, heretic, it felt like a religious experience. —Mary Phillips-Sandy

(Courtesy of Evisu)

Known for their high quality denim, Japanese label Evisu's winter collection is up to 50 percent off online. Top pieces include a pumpkin-colored chunky obi cardigan ($163), suave backless waistcoat ($318) and men's double stitching regular jeans ($138). The best part about this online sale? Evisu's giving free shipping on all purchases.

(Evisu is also available at Atrium, Bergdorf Goodman and Macy's.)

The world's most successful composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber needs to chill with the reality TV. First, he made the decision to choose an unknown to play “Sound of Music” leading lady Maria, via BBC reality show "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" Then he appeared on BBC One's "Any Dream Will Do!" and attempted to find a new Joseph for his revival of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Last but not least, he appeared as a guest judge on the biggest mockery of musical theater known to man NBC reality camp-fest "Grease: You're the One that I Want," to help find Broadway's new Sandy and Danny.

And now, as Seacrest informed us last night, it's "American Idol." If it’s a matter of gaining more mass appeal, I don’t think the Kelly Pickler-loving 'Idol' audience is the right target, Andy.  

And conversely, I don’t really feel like hearing the contestants wreck theatrical classics that I happen to appreciate. I’d rather not listen to David Cook’s cocky rock version of Gethsemane from "Jesus Christ Superstar," Frampton-esque voice box and all. Or Kristy Lee Cook’s bluegrass rendition of Don’t Cry for Me Argentina. Thanks, but no thanks.

Below, some offhand predictions for Lloyd Webber week, with the Top 10 sure to make his songbook "their own" and, in turn, as over-commercialized as humanly possible. If that's even possible.

Michael Johns: Oh, What a Circus (Evita)
David Archuletta: Any Dream Will Do (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
Christy Lee Cook: U-N-C-O-U-P-L-E-D (Starlight Express)
David Cook: Heaven on Their Minds (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Brooke White: Take That Look Off Your Face (Song and Dance)
Chikezie: Magical Mr. Mistoffelees (Cats)
Jason Castro: Love Changes Everything (Aspects of Love)
Carly Smithson: As If We Never Said Goodbye (Sunset Blvd.)
Syesha Mercado: Only You (Starlight Express)
Ramiele Malubay: Close Every Door (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)

-Perrie Samotin

The premise behind Antik, a new cocktail lounge on the Bowery opening this weekend is such a good idea, I wish I thought of it. Similar to an actual restaurant, patrons make reservations ahead to time and are seated at loungey tables, where they're served drinks by waitresses (all of which seemed to have passed a 5”10+ height requirement).

The best and most interesting part? There's no bar, it’s all seated service. Genius! Not only does that eliminate the utter chaos that going out can bring, but it also keeps out the riff-raff. And by riff-raff, I mean post-college transplanted kids who, a year or two ago, would never have dreamed of setting foot in the East Village, let alone on the Bowery (but that's another story for another post).  

Sound snotty? It's not. I'm 28 years old and spent my whole life in New York City and I feel entitled to going out with friends on the weekend and not have to worry about the circus-like fanfare that comes with it.

The decor of the semi-private, intimate lounge (it only holds 74) looks a bit like it was ripped off from nearby Bowery Hotel's lobby bar, with patterned scarlet wallpaper and under-lit palm trees, but it works. A full bar is on hand, but the specialty cocktail menu is fabulous, you'd be remiss not to try at least one (or, in this particular case, four). Standouts include the White Lotus,  a sweet blend of vodka, St. Germain, Negori sake, plum wine, lime juice and cloves and the Moscow Mule, a more straightforward mix of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice.  

I truly hope Antik does well. I got a good vibe, which almost never happens, since a good deal of New York nightlife has gone the way of a college campus (and one big Wall Street social, but who knows how long that'll continue). Hopefully, it'll mange to remain what it's setting out to be.

-Perrie Samotin