Any indie-rock setup that includes a series of marching-band style bass drums ensures an interesting evening. Anathallo proved themselves worthy of the stage as they opened “John J Audubon,” commencing with a hand-bell choir and then ripping into an emotional, drum-thumping rock chorale. Front man Matt Joynt’s vocals led the eclectic Michigan-bred septet as their multi-instrumental arrangement blistered through the Mercury Lounge.
The ensuing night of music can’t be pigeon-holed, as the show draws upon joyous symphonic complexities mined from the same creative hills that gave Sufjan Stephens more than a mere modicum of success. The set often careened like a stunt car into moments of performance art, such as when one song was interrupted with an extended moment of silence. For at least a minute, the Mercury Lounge was part of a John Cage experiment, something for which the confused yet giddy crowd was unprepared. Anathallo, however, maintained an unbelievable dedication to their performance, keeping their heads bowed and posture stoic until Joynt leapt back into the chorus. At one point, the band even showcased modern dance skills.
In addition to commitment, the individual displays of musicianship were formidable. Horn players Bret Wallin and Jamie Macleod pulled double duty as the percussion section, frequently flogging the extra bass drums and rocking out a glockenspiel as much as it can be rocked. Singer Erica Froman’s vocals lent perfect harmonies to Joynt’s falsettos, and her countermelodies pushed more character into an already complex soundscape. Drummer Jeremiah Johson, bassist Seth Walker, and guitarist Danny Bracken held together a solid rhythm section that could swivel into a choir like a revolving secret entrance in a haunted house library.
In a bold moment of tribute, Joynt informed the audience that the next song was bookended by a composition by Hannah Markus. “Arrangements” and “compositions” were useful words for Joynt, as Anathallo’s rhapsodies frequently ran over the six-minute mark, rollicking through asymmetric time signatures and tempo shifts. “Cafetorium” began with a multi-layed loop sample, and “Italo” featured tribal drumming underneath urgent falsetto singing.
Another odd moment featured an onstage, improvised interpretive dance by two unidentified young men. Their connection to Anathallo unapparent, and their presence frankly distracting, the whole situation was just plain werid. Anathallo blazed on however, and Joynt’s guitar playing went undisturbed. Throw it on the pile of intricacies that make Anathallo a Rubik’s Cube of a band: a challenge to your ears and sensibilities.
Opening for Anathallo was Sam Amidon, a bluegrass/folk singer-guitarist accompanied by a dude on synth. Yes, he ran his keyboard through a series of effects pedals that shimmered behind Amidon’s honest, unflinching singing. Keeping with the weirdness of the evening, Amidon frequently laid rambling diatribes on the audience between songs, and even finished a tune by removing his guitar, dropping to the floor, and knocking out twenty push-ups. Rock or comedy, nobody seemed to be sure what was happening.
The most prominent lyric of the night from Joynt of Anthallo: “Some things you should never see, but hey, you see them anyway.”
Anathallo will continue to tour nationally through April. Check out their website or MySpace page for more information on tour dates.
DOWNLOAD: Anathallo - Noni's Field (MP3) or Follow us for more Anathallo MP3s (Twitter)
Saul Williams + Earl Greyhound + American Fangs - 11/15
Aladdin Theater
The Black Crowes + Truth & Salvage Co. - 11/20
Roseland Theater
Deastro + Max Tundra - 11/27
Doug Fir
Morrissey + Doll and the Kicks - 11/30
Roseland Theater
Portland Cello Project - 12/4
Aladdin Theater
Passion Pit - 12/7
The Crystal Ballroom
Ben Sollee + Daniel Martin Moore - 11/17
Tractor Tavern
The Fiery Furnaces + Cryptacize + Dent May - 11/18
Chop Suey
Mr. Lif + Dnaebeats - 11/19
Neumos
Built to Spill + Disco Doom + Finn Riggins 11/19
Showbox at the Market
Blind Pilot + Laura Veirs & the Hall of Flames 12/2
Neumos
Brett Dennen + Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - 12/6
Moore Theatre
I am waiting for this mobile I am very fond of new phones I loved to use this multimedia and high definition phone these are the My favorite gadgets.They give you very nice performance with sound as well as picture quality and other multimedia
by dsi r4 on Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 03.31 am from the entry: Springsteen plays 'The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle' live (download)
i do believe RJ is god!
thank you for all your amazing music
by david on Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 01.27 am from the entry: RJD2 - "Tin Foil Hat EP" - Borrow It
Colin! I met you last night with my buddy Dan whom was asking you about your camera.
Your shots rock, your review is fantastic, and you’re ‘terribly’ cute.
Will you move to southern Italy with me and have a family?
I’m not set on Italy or the family! We can totally talk locations and drop the kids.
Love,
Your biggest fan
PS can I smell your hair?
Looking forward to the Pixies post.
by Andrew on Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 01.02 am from the entry: Arctic Monkeys + The Like - Wonder Ballroom (MFNW 2009; Sept. 18)
I was very impressed with your objective review. But one thing all reviewers (and yes, I have read them all) have missed is the ages of the fans at GLO shows. Not only are there teens, frat boys and college cuties, there is also those of us who are quite a bit older. I am well into my 50’s and a member of a group who have followed these guys for almost 2 years. We have logged many miles to watch a show like no other. These guys transcend age and gender. Do we feel awkward at these shows, HELL NO! Do we rock out as much as these younger fans, HELL YES. And appreciate it much, much more. When we are recognized by Thomas and Aaron at these shows we are asked if we are their mothers. LOL I told Aaron that once and he said did you tell them HELL NO. While we stand in line waiting for a show, someone will always say to us “Do you know who is playing Tonight?” “Yes!” “You know it is Ghostland Observatory?” “YES!” (Oh no, we thought it was Tom Jones) “Well you know it gets pretty rowdy in there.” “Yes!” “You may have beer spilled on you” By now we are asking how many GLO shows they have attended. 3 or 4 or an occasional, “this is my first” is the usual answer. Well, This is our 10th show and we just flew 1500 miles to see them and will fly back home right after the show. To this the response it always “No Way”. And after the show it is always “You guys rock” and we gets many hugs from all these kids. Now that is respect. So, not all fans are young, we somewhat olders love them also. And we will continue to follow them (as long as we can).
by Arline on Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 10.52 pm from the entry: Ghostland Observatory - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Nov. 8, 2009)
Yep, excellent documentary.
by Matt on Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 03.19 pm from the entry: Fantastic version of Tom Petty's "Nightwatchmen," from new super big live set
I’m sure that Friend the Devil cover will be great. I remember when I got the DVD doc. of his band’s career (Runnin’ Down A Dream) it came with this bonus cd of songs. And one of the songs was a cover of Hank Williams’ classic “Lost Highway.” Stellar. I’m sure his abilities will find their way into this song as well.
by Colin on Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 02.26 pm from the entry: Fantastic version of Tom Petty's "Nightwatchmen," from new super big live set
Tom Petty is the reason I got into music. Looking forward to this, especially that “Friend of the Devil” cover
by Matt on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 03.49 pm from the entry: Fantastic version of Tom Petty's "Nightwatchmen," from new super big live set
An insightful and interesting review!