What I Did On Vacation, Part One

What have I dont this past month? I've seen plenty of gigs but none of which I've bothered to share. Until now.

My Summer Vacation from Reviewing Shows

On a Wednesday night in late June, I sat in the back of the bar at Joe's Pub taking in the vocal stylings of Clap Your Hands Say Say frontman, Alec Ounsworth, who was having an affair with Flashy Python and the Bodysnatchers. While it may sounds like a B-movie monster flick, it's just Ounsworth's revisitation of his folk roots. It was a quaint evening including a few recognizable tunes, one of which was a stylized version of "Details of the War." Ounsworth used play around with embellishing melodies like this with his Clap Band, to the peeve of critics everywhere. He has sinced ceased that habit, but now does so freely with these side projects.

Later that night we saw Ounsworth's stunt-double-with-a-beard, O'death. O'death comes at the folk angle from the percussive end, jamming on a bluegrass reel like a tornado tearing through West Virginia. I wanted to get up and square dance, but the cramped quarters in Pete's Candy Store refuses such revelry.

That Saturday, the 24th day of the sixth month, Final Fantasy played a show a long time in the making. While I can't stand He Poos Clouds, the charm of the music is in the performance. Owen single-handedly creates layered compositions that leave me in awe. He shouts into his violin to create a backing chorus and each segment of a song emerges one by one as the previous melodies loop over and over. Amazing. One girl pushed her way to the front row and danced like... like... I cannot describe it. I will anyway: like she wasn't listening to what I was listening. Final Fantasy plays again at the Merc at the end of August and I suggest cancelling your travel plans to attend. I'll be dancing this time.

Tuesday night, June 27th, I caught Tokyo Police Club, the Lovely Feathers, and the Grates at the Mercury Lounge. It was a one-two-three punch that didn't do much except ruffle my shirt and maybe give me a bruise. Tokyo Police Club were decent but lacked the talent I expected from them. Those damn blogs had me fooled! The Lovely Feathers write good songs, but unfortunately that's all I can remember of them. I could investigate them further, but eh.

From The Grates I had never heard a note before, but word on the street was that they were killer. I was especially excited from the shots that were beamed back from SXSW. The pictures sounded awesome. The Grates themselves, however they try, didn't have me convinced. They are bursting with energy and, yes, they are great to watch, but the songs left me wanting. Don't judge a band by their images, less you be a judge.

The line-up the following night was more solid. The Little Ones proved that they are more that a couple catchy songs on a EP. The bassist is a round Asian dude that bops around and entertains, and the whole band is tight. Land of Talk, who have been everywhere recently in NYC, were also impressive... more so that the Knitting Factory gig. Nothing compares with Elizabeth's voice.

The next night I trekked out for Brooklyn Vegan's Slaughterhouse Showcase. When I finally found the Syrup Room in Bumfuck, Brooklyn -yes I did get lost- the Ballet were playing. I immediately started humming Jens Lekman's Black Cab despite knowing they problably sound nothing alike. Later I found out I wasn't so off base. The similarities to Lekman in style and phrasing are not just the crazy thoughts in a room that couldn't have been less that 102 degrees. It was scorching.
Listen: The Ballet - Personal (mp3)

Ramesh of Voxtrot followed by playing two new songs that may or may not evolve into future Voxtrot tracks. Solo, it's hard to distinguish how these will flesh out with the band, so I'll reserve judgement. Ramesh then played "Whiskey" and "Raised by Wolves," both of which were nice. Tokyo Police Club took over and played like the band I expected them to on Tuesday. This was the band at which the exhaulted praise was directed. Maybe I can trust blogs afterall. Land o' Lakes Talk closed the night off with "You Are My Sunshine." Ok, maybe not. I left a tad early, having lost 10 pounds in the sauna they call a venue.

Coming up in Part Two: Shows, shows, and more shows.