Wrens Reviews from the Weekend

(Picture via Chris)

Word on the street is that that the “Wrens without Jerry Wren” last night at the Knitting Factory were great. I myself didn’t stay that late, chosing to turn in early. Truthfully. I almost fell asleep at Hopewell’s 10:00 set, but not that the band was bad, but rather I could hear my bed calling my name from clear across the East River.

Maybe I would have stayed, except I had seen the “Wrens without Jerry” before and whilst it was excellent, it was still a pale shadow of their full band. So this time it’d have to be without this Jerry as well. En plus, I had just seen Wrens in all the potency two nights earlier; and yes there is no doubt in my mind that they are still the best band I have ever seen. Period. Not necessarily that show, but really any show. (I’m still in awe over their 2AM CMJ set when they turned water into wine and cured the lepors.)

If every single band I know played on the exact same night at the exact same time, in some bizarre mega-festival, where would I be? I think I’d be at the Wrens.

Chris regarding Friday night:
When I said that this was my first time seeing this Jersey-based band, he [ed note: that’s me] gave me the "WTF?" look. Now I know why, they are intense. They started quiet while a small piano piece called "I Guess We're Done," where the lead singer did his vocals through a cell phone. His voice came through to another cell phone which held against a guitar. Then they kick over the mic stands and just fucking rock.

Jeff regarding Sunday night:
Every time I leave a Wrens show, The thought crosses my mind that maybe, just maybe I had witnessed the best show I had ever been to.

Rachael regarding Sunday night:
I thought it was fantastic. At times, it felt like the band had been invited into my living room and we were all just hanging about, listening to them play. They chose songs on the spot, joked with the audience, and sounded better than ever.

And from a couple livejournal users from Saturday night:
Bakesale says:
Last night, we all went to see The Wrens play at the Northstar. It was the absolute best show I've ever been to…. I hear about "trancendent" shows all the time (Dude! The Stones in '68!"). I thought I've been to a couple before last night. I was wrong. This was a truly amazing show from a band that loves what they do.

Kitblonde says:
I went to the Wrens at the North Star. Sweet suffering Christ, was it an awesome show. It may be the most fun I've ever had at a concert.

Jay and Kathryn were at the Friday show as well. Jim Stereogum was there, but left before the Wrens.