If you really love music you know that the relationship to venue size and gig enjoyment is inextricably linked. It's almost always the case that seeing a band you like in a smaller, more intimate setting means a more memorable experience.

Things get no more intimate than Bettie Serveert's short set at Atomic Records, 1813 E. Locust St., on Sunday. Due to either scheduling or short-sightedness on the part of most booking agents here (or a contractual clause preventing a show too close to Madison), the Dutch band had planned on driving straight through to Sunday's Madison show from Saturday's Chicago gig without stopping.

Luckily, Atomic stepped into the breach and nabbed the band for the acoustic set on a warm summer afternoon. Alas, singer Carol van Dyk's voice was stricken by a cold, which prompted her and guitarist Peter Visser to keep their set short. Although the entire band was in attendance, for obvious reasons a full band gig was an improbable proposition.

Despite van Dyk's self-consciousness about her restricted vocal abilities Sunday, it was her youthful, girlish sound that infused the four songs performed with personality. And she sounded pretty good to these ears, prompting the question, "just how good is she when in top form?"

Longtime fans of the group know that it is THAT voice of van Dyk's that makes Bettie Serveert instantly recognizable. Well, that and their penchant for lovely, understated melodies and often expansive, airily sparse arrangements.

Much of that is gone on the band's latest disc, "Attagirl," (Palomine/Minty Fresh) exchanged for a modern, almost mainstream-friendly sound with drum machines, contemporary R&B harmonies (especially on the title track) and lush, layered arrangements. What remains are the melodies and THAT voice.

However, on Sunday, all the gloss was gone and van Dyk and Visser could have been a folk duo with only their guitars and their voices. In fact, "The Greyhound Song" and "Dust Bunny" -- from an older disc called, "Dust Bunnies"-- had a folky sound not even hinted at in their original incarnations.

Afterward, band members greeted fans and signed autographs.

Sure, we'd have loved to hear the whole band and there are plenty of tunes we'd have liked to experience live -- both from "Attagirl" and the band's other discs -- but we'll hang on to the intimate vibe of Sunday until Bettie Serveert comes around to give us some more.