It’s good to see that CD release parties are still in style, even if CDs themselves are on their way out. We were pleased to be on hand for native New Englanders Avi & Celia’s release of their new album, Let It Rise, at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge on October 3. The self-described “soul-folk duet” blend steel guitars, electric twangs, washboards, lead pipes and yes, even a hammer, to create a cacophony of sound that perhaps surprisingly works together quite well.
Most memorable of the evening was Celia Woodsmith’s energetic strumming of the washboard. Of course anybody who’s ever seen her play would instantly disagree with the word strumming. Whipping would probably be more appropriate, since she practically beat herself during a couple of the songs. It makes you wonder how just how thick a washboard could be. And while I do remember her announcing to the crowd that she was bleeding, I do not remember if it was the washboard or several guitars she went through to blame. You’ll find no complaints from me as she definitely put it all into the music. While less bloody, Avi Salloway’s multi-instrument talent smoothed out the roughness of the sound and provided the soul of the sound, both literally and figuratively.
Finally, the folksy roots of the music fit well with their unabashed populism. I don’t remember them telling me who to vote for, but I’d take odds that they’d prefer a vote for Barack Obama in November. This naturally went over quite well with their audience and it’s always great to see a band and crowd interact. Avi Salloway got the crowd involved during several songs, but the height came at the end of the set when Avi & Celia plus The David Wax Project and Miss Tess joined together for a crowd-singing version of Beck’s Loser.
Listen to Avi & Celia yourself and let us know what you think.
Ugh. Paste’s profile of Free Energy made me kind of hate them. So does your review. It’s this unctuous defense of good-time rock-and-roll ("we’re just here to party, and we’re awesome!") that seems more self-serving than fun-loving.
by beth on Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 09.41 pm from the entry: Foreign Born + Free Energy - The Knitting Factory (Brooklyn, NY; Mar. 12, 2010)
that inescapable feeling you are referring to, is that like when you hear something and you could have sworn you heard it before because of the nostalgic catchy quality? or is is like when you’ve heard a band exactly like said band?
great post by the way!
by paul on Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 03.15 pm from the entry: The Novel Ideas - "The Sky Is A Field" - Borrow It
Whoa! I had no idea she was enegaged. You would never know with the way she behaves! Wow!
by art on Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 09.48 am from the entry: Nikki Darlin and John McCauley: 1+1=1
This comment stream is so meta. Great review Kelly.
by chris on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 07.50 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
no prob. The whole album is excellent, combining some of the harder sonics of Los Angeles with the meat of his debut and obviously difficult to summarize in only 50 words… 
I’d say it’s on par with the debut, but better than Los Angeles.
by kelly on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.23 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
By the way, I really liked the mp3 posted. Thanks.
by Joshua H on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.17 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “WHO WROTE THIS...PUKE ! “Picture yourself coasting your bike past space funk palm trees, homeless harpists, vintage video arcades, electronic drum circles, and 60s psychedelic singers who’re waiting for the bus. Cosmogramma is kinda like that if someone suddenly tripped you just as you’re starting to enjoy the ride. But in a good way.””
by Joshua H on Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 06.17 pm from the entry: Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma" - Buy It
