Features | Festivals
SXSW 2007 -- Day Two: Track Reviews
By Craig Eley & Andre Perry | 4 February 2008
Menomena :: "Muscle 'n Flo"
>Live at Buffalo Billiards; March 15, 2007
Menomena make music to avert crises. The trio's complex sound and multi-instrument performances require that the guy working the boards actually works them, and the 30 minute pre-performance sound check, in front of the anxious and drunk crowd, had a few people around me shouting at the stage. Finally things got started a little past 1:30 A.M., and the bad vibes drifted like the first saxophone notes up in the air, only to disappear. Three songs in and the situation had done a complete 180, as "Muscle'n Flo" turned things into a freak out on the positive tip. The bare and percussive opening draws you in, and builds to first of several climaxes ("Lofty goals / met so soon!") at the song's midpoint. After there, the guitars drop out, leaving just the piano and vocals. Of course, things build again, sonically and emotionally, imbuing the vocals that opened the song with a new sense of life and urgency.
Craig Eley
>Live at Buffalo Billiards; March 15, 2007
Menomena make music to avert crises. The trio's complex sound and multi-instrument performances require that the guy working the boards actually works them, and the 30 minute pre-performance sound check, in front of the anxious and drunk crowd, had a few people around me shouting at the stage. Finally things got started a little past 1:30 A.M., and the bad vibes drifted like the first saxophone notes up in the air, only to disappear. Three songs in and the situation had done a complete 180, as "Muscle'n Flo" turned things into a freak out on the positive tip. The bare and percussive opening draws you in, and builds to first of several climaxes ("Lofty goals / met so soon!") at the song's midpoint. After there, the guitars drop out, leaving just the piano and vocals. Of course, things build again, sonically and emotionally, imbuing the vocals that opened the song with a new sense of life and urgency.
Craig Eley
Bishop Allen :: "Busted Heart"
>Live at The Yard Dog; March 15, 2007
"Busted Heart" has always been a Bishop Allen classic. It's easily one of the best songs they've written -- originally appearing on 2003's Charm School -- and they know it. With its mix of Modest Mouse grit and indie-pop hooks, it's a guaranteed set ripper at pretty much all of their shows. The band breathed new life into this song at their afternoon showcase. The current six-member line-up, which augments the songs with keyboards, horns, xylophone, and lots of backing vocals, brings welcome layers to Bishop Allen's sound. The choruses were like a party on "Busted Heart" compelling the entire crowd to bob their heads and mouth the lyrics: "Did you ever think?! / Did you ever think, think!!" And when the band pulled back for the quieter instrumental sections, Bishop Allen flexed a keen sense of dynamics. This song will always be a classic for Bishop Allen but it's great to see them keeping it new at the same time.
Andre Perry
>Live at The Yard Dog; March 15, 2007
"Busted Heart" has always been a Bishop Allen classic. It's easily one of the best songs they've written -- originally appearing on 2003's Charm School -- and they know it. With its mix of Modest Mouse grit and indie-pop hooks, it's a guaranteed set ripper at pretty much all of their shows. The band breathed new life into this song at their afternoon showcase. The current six-member line-up, which augments the songs with keyboards, horns, xylophone, and lots of backing vocals, brings welcome layers to Bishop Allen's sound. The choruses were like a party on "Busted Heart" compelling the entire crowd to bob their heads and mouth the lyrics: "Did you ever think?! / Did you ever think, think!!" And when the band pulled back for the quieter instrumental sections, Bishop Allen flexed a keen sense of dynamics. This song will always be a classic for Bishop Allen but it's great to see them keeping it new at the same time.
Andre Perry
Aqueduct :: "The Suggestion Box"
>Live at Buffalo Billiards; March 15, 2007
So it can't all be good news, right? Andre and I have been blown away by how so much of the music that drifts onto the streets is absolutely horrendous. Aqueduct is not that bad, but his set at the Barsuk party tonight was less than stellar. I was actually kind of jazzed to hear this set, since after being let down by the last album I thought my faith in David Terry's pop songwriting prowess would be rekindled. Well, it wasn't. Like Terry himself, the performance was a little loose, a little sloppy, and generally not well put together. "The Suggestion Box" is the lead song on Aqueduct's first album, I Sold Gold (2005), and still one of Terry's best songs. Here it was sung relatively poorly, and the laid-back approach that Terry took felt like we were peering in on band rehearsal rather than seeing a polished showcase. Tighten up, man.
Craig Eley
>Live at Buffalo Billiards; March 15, 2007
So it can't all be good news, right? Andre and I have been blown away by how so much of the music that drifts onto the streets is absolutely horrendous. Aqueduct is not that bad, but his set at the Barsuk party tonight was less than stellar. I was actually kind of jazzed to hear this set, since after being let down by the last album I thought my faith in David Terry's pop songwriting prowess would be rekindled. Well, it wasn't. Like Terry himself, the performance was a little loose, a little sloppy, and generally not well put together. "The Suggestion Box" is the lead song on Aqueduct's first album, I Sold Gold (2005), and still one of Terry's best songs. Here it was sung relatively poorly, and the laid-back approach that Terry took felt like we were peering in on band rehearsal rather than seeing a polished showcase. Tighten up, man.
Craig Eley