By Laura Cooper

Omaha, Nebraska is not the center of the music industry by any means. However, this city has turned out artists such as Bright Eyes and spurred the establishment of a renowned record label: Saddle Creek. Saddle Creek is home to artists such as The Faint, Cursive and Rilo Kiley. Another band, gypsy-esque Tilly and the Wall, also calls Omaha its home and is making a name for itself on the alternative music scene.

Most recognizable for their tap dancer being the main means of percussion, Tilly has created pop ballads based on band members’ experiences and what they hope to experience.

Thus far, they have released two albums- Tilly and the Wall in 2004 and Bottoms of Barrels in 2006. Tilly, however, is taking a completely different stylistic turn with its latest dance, almost Madonna-inspired single, “Beat Control.”

This six-piece band brought a different kind of energy to the Knitting Factory in New York City this past month. Instead of the folk-inspired show they showcased last time they performed in New York, Tilly seemed to be consumed with appeasing the dance and synth-driven scene sweeping the indie-rock music circuit recently.

Just because crowds dance at their shows does not mean that Tilly and the Wall’s signature folk pop sound can be replaced with bass, synth and neon tights.

Tilly and the Wall’s Knitting Factory performance showcased new songs that sounded more eighties-inspired, with the notable absence of any introspective lyrics prevalent on their sophomore release, Bottoms of Barrels.

The song, “Nights of the Living Dead,” vividly depicts prostitution, drugs and general situations of teenage maturation. The chorus, “god, put down your gun, can’t you see we’re dead,” of the piece is a deeply intricate song that reveals self-doubt, loss and confusion throughout adolescence.

The band’s latest release, “Beat Control,” has their newly Malibu Barbie cloned singer coo, “Let the beat control you, let the beat control your body, baby!” It seemed as if Tilly and the Wall plans to market its next release to moms heading to Jazzercise.

Though the group is a widely known and respected band in the independent music community, their fans will be sorely disappointed in their latest release, the newly dance-only friendly demeanor and by the change in the band’s dynamic as a whole.

The new songs didn’t even feature tap dancer Jamie Pressnall. She just smiled and danced in silence while wearing neon pink and black striped tights. It was disappointing to see the change from a once inspired band morph into one plagued by fake tans and lyrics suitable for aerobic videos circa 1982.