When Barbato broke a string on B-side “Behind Your Eyes”, for example, they used the occasion to turn the song (only a little over two minutes on record) into an extended, impromptu, droning jam.
Given the focus on Franklin’s first two solo LPs, the show highlighted his moodier, more ethereal psych-folk side, in contrast to Swervedriver’s full-on blast furnace rockers.
On this final show of their NYC residency, the Los Angeles roots rock quintet treated the modest Bowery Electric crowd to their upcoming third album Ownerless from start to finish.
With a large draped sheet hanging behind them, onto which paint-splattered, kaleidoscopic images were projected, I couldn’t help but feel like I had stumbled into some illicit, impromptu ‘60s psychedelic basement party.
The Archers restring their bow and hit the target.
I can honestly say that I have never seen anything quite like this and may never again. But I’m sure as hell going to try.
Aided by the Music Hall of Williamsburg’s crystal-clear, punchy sound system, the band delivered another explosive and energetic performance.
On Monday night, Washed Out and Memoryhouse played Music Hall of Williamsburg
Photographs and a review of EMA’s fantastic show at Music Hall with Canadian band Nü Sensae and Brooklynites Talk Normal
Nevertheless, we got a very short, 35-minute set that concentrated mostly on Interstellar with a few tunes from her 1st album thrown in.
Real Estate is a band with a very particular, mannered sound and they have to sound right to be fully effective.
Throughout, it was a pleasure hearing Mark and April harmonize together, like on the catchy single “Wait For the Waves,” with that extra special close-knit entwining of voices that singing siblings often have.
If the rest of their proposed new album will be as good as this tune, then I’m already looking forward to it!
This enchanting power pop group put a spell on the entire audience during this Good Friday show at the Paradise in Boston. Well worth the trip.
Swervedriver still has some fuel left in the tank
The Joy Formidable capture Boston, taking no prisoners.
Once again, Swervedriver delivered another fantastic, lights out performance that left me feeling awestruck.
What we sacrificed by losing the previous shows’ up-close-and-personal immediacy was offset by the band’s most thunderous, earth-shattering assault yet!
The Wedding Present bring Seamonsters roaring back to life.
Audience members sung every word and there wasn’t one song that stood out in that regard that everyone was waiting for.
This show was not quite as blistering as the 2010 Seaport gig, which showcased the speedier Bizarro. But the more understated Seamonsters still sounded 10x more hard-hitting in this lineup’s hands.
This tour marked the first time all seven band members have played together in the U.S. Thus, this was an ideal chance to witness their luxurious music performed with all the bells and whistles.
Some of the sonic details the band so effectively rescued from their studio recordings are nameless, and some spring from the great register of fair use rock ‘n’ roll gestures.
On the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth, his words still provide inspiration a new generation of musicians.
Though this was a short, 35-minute opening set, it was a good opportunity to catch this fantastic new Brooklyn foursome before they embarked on a two-week SXSW tour.
Stinson projects a rock star aura that looks, breaths, feels and sounds just like the The Rolling Stones, The Faces and others of that ilk.
Although I’ve lived close to it for almost 6 years, this was my first visit to the venerable University of Pennsylvania frat house and venue.
Judging by the lively crowd at the venerated, long-lasting punk club, it seemed like every old school rock ‘n’ roller within spitting distance showed up in eager anticipation of seeing Lure in action. Once again, the band did not disappoint.
For this gratifying set, Ray brought along organist Rory More and drummer Andrew Zammit, who provided just the right shading and color for her distinctive songs.
While not quite as start-to-finish blasting as December’s show, this more well rounded overview still rocked like nobody’s business.
It was a shock that these reunion shows even happened at all, given that Pernice hadn’t spoken with his old bandmates in 14 years. Judging by this sublime show, it was as if no time had passed at all.
The latest (if not greatest) of the Portland Lauras to capture my attention with a type of folk music that offers Oregon as one of America’s last uncharted places.
It was a pleasure to finally see them on stage again, in support of their beautiful new third LP, Will You Be There With Me.
The band had a more ferocious edge and a newfound punkish roar that, while percolating below the surface before, came out more forcefully tonight.
Hey, if Vivian Girls are willing to risk a minor bout of pneumonia to play a few songs for free on a Friday night, I’m up for it!
I won’t even attempt to follow that with some sad, blurry cell phone pics taken from the balcony. I will, however, regale you with some words.
So how did they fare, making the sudden jump to this much larger, 550-capacity venue in so short a time? I’m happy to say, much better than most young bands.
Anyway, she more than lived up to the accolades with an hour long set that was focused almost exclusively on material from Tramp.
It’s the kind of album our species is programmed to make in abundance but that rarely ends up very good, as energetic and melodic, short yet transcendent in its repeatability as It’s A Shame About Ray … And it’s now being toured across America!
The normally chatty Brooklyn crowd, seemingly filled with Mirah diehards, was held spellbound – at times you could almost hear a pin drop.
He played a six-string and a twelve-string, both acoustic, and was joined by a second acoustic guitar, drums, violin, and most surprisingly, a harp.
Half of The Chameleons is better than the full complement of most bands.
A rare sighting of a unique English band…
Thirty-five years on, when many bands are struggling to pull a crowd, it was great to see a good turn out for the gig with fans traveling from as far as the Netherlands to see Glen Matlock’s latest venture.
Now I know why they named their album The Big Roar- because that’s what they sounded like, a three-person post-punk whirling dervish of a band.
For a final victory lap, it was all there. Judas Priest is dead, long live Priest.
Honestly, it was my first time seeing them and I thought they were great from the first few notes.
Instead of a “normal” show with a headliner and an opener, this was something altogether quite different.
