It’d been awhile since I’d checked in on the Constantines. I’d missed their last few stops through town and still haven’t gotten around to listening to their last couple of records. Needless to say, I wasn’t really sure what to expect Saturday night. As anyone who’s seen them can already attest, their live show is incredible. I managed to catch them a couple of times a few years back and was completely blown away.
After Norway’s I Was a King kicked things off pleasantly enough with a bunch of fuzz-soaked pop tunes, Crystal Antlers came out and delivered their brand of heavy garage psych, which I handled in stretches, but found overall to be kind of recycled. Finally, the Constantines took the stage. An immediate attack of dissonant guitars and driving snare ensued, and a slight feeling of relief washed over as I realized that this definitely was going to be the same band I’d seen in all their glory a few years back. They broke into “Nighttime Anytime (It’s Alright),” and it was one of the better versions I’ve heard live or otherwise, complete with the clap-along, sing-along chorus break from the audience!
The show maintained a continuity; each song seemed perfectly placed in the set and in the most climactic order, and besides the brief wait before the encore, there was hardly a moment of lull. The songs off the last two records sounded great, and hearing them live before listening to the recordings proved an extra treat. “Shower of Stones” stood out, among others, with it’s strobe-like effect of clattering guitars and Steve Lambke handling main vocal duties. As much as I love singer Bryan Webb’s Joe–Strummer influenced howl, Lambke’s voice lies on the other end of the spectrum and provides a nice balance between the two styles.
Things reached a fever pitch during “Shine a Light”, and swelled to a peak during a blistering rendition of “Young Lions”. “Arizona” and “Draw Us Lines” helped round out a generous finale, and the Constantines once more reminded me of why they’re one of the best rock and roll bands around.
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There was definitely a guy surfing in a wheelchair. I tried to capture it with my camera, but it was a total blur. He came over the barricade 3 times. The first time, he came over AFTER his wheelchair.
by Jill Rachel on Fri Nov 27, 2009 at 03.24 pm from the entry: Motorhead + Reverend Horton Heat + Nashville Pussy - Showbox Sodo (Seattle, WA; Oct. 02,2009)
Sick I was mixing the original in my dubstep mixes, but this just kicks it up. Thank you!!!
by Dre Ja Vu on Thu Nov 26, 2009 at 09.13 pm from the entry: Ginuwine's "Pony" Deconstructed Through Dubstep (Remix)
feelin it, thanks!
by jo on Thu Nov 26, 2009 at 05.00 pm from the entry: Ginuwine's "Pony" Deconstructed Through Dubstep (Remix)
lil wayne has a fukken song for everythingg(((: in lovee, high competition, everythingg.
**and i be with my dawg like im mutha fukken hunting
by a.d.kinchhh(: on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 02.48 pm from the entry: Lil Wayne's No Ceilings Mixtape
it’s beyonce’s sister.
by colin on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 12.36 pm from the entry: Solange takes on Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet"
Am I supposed to know SOlange?
by max on Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 11.51 am from the entry: Solange takes on Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet"
this may be your best review yet, colin. and that includes the pixies and modest mouse pieces. nice work! i’m also digging these photos.
by josh on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 04.54 pm from the entry: Girls + Dominant Legs - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 18, 2009)
