For me, a tell-tale sign of a good concert is the undeniable urge to immediately pop the headliner’s CD into the stereo on the car-ride home. Unfortunately for headliner El Perro del Mar, it was the second act, Lykke Li, that serenaded me home from last Thursday’s show at the Triple Door.
Seattle was just one stop on a multi-city US tour for the Swedish lineup of Anna Ternheim, Lykke Li, and headliner El Perro del Mar. Despite my late start to the evening, I thankfully arrived just in time for Lykke Li’s set.* For those of you unfamiliar with the Triple Door’s casual, laid-back atmosphere, you’re not alone: Lykke Li was more than a little unnerved by it as well. Lykke Li’s set included several upbeat, danceable numbers which seemed a little out of place for many of the seated patrons, who, at times, seemed more interested in their salmon and wine than grooving to the music. Obviously having not been made aware beforehand that this was a sit-down venue, Lykke Li encouraged the audience to clap, saying, “I know it’s too much to ask you to dance, but . . . be drums.”
Nonetheless, the young Swede with the breathy girly voice had an incredible energy and sweetness that was mesmerizing. In flowing black clothes tightly cinched at the waist, Lykke Li’s performance was reminiscent of Stevie Nicks as she seductively held onto the mic, swaying her hips and playfully jingling the gold charms on her necklace. Supported by her bandmates on the drums, guitar, and keys, her huge eyes longingly scanned the audience as she sang “A Little Bit” and “Breaking It Up.”
As lead singer Sarah Assbring of El Perro del Mar walked on stage alone for her first two acoustic numbers, the first thought to run through my mind was “Holy Saint Lucia! That’s a short skirt!” It made me feel a little uncomfortable for her and even more so for those seated in the front row. With the angelic face of Twiggy, she towered over the rest of the band, even in flats. I’ll admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of EPdM’s From the Valley to the Stars. Though enjoyable, it hardly gave me goosebumps and Thusday night’s show did little to change my mind. High and melancholy, Assbring’s voice IS indeed beautifully haunting, even more stunning live than on her album in fact, and one could easily close their eyes and escape in its sweetness.
But by the time the rest of El Perro del Mar joined its lead singer on stage for “How Did We Forget,” my already tired eyes were scanning the stage for something—anything—to take energy from. Hunched over their individual instruments, one couldn’t help but think the band members weren’t all that excited to be there . . . an attitude that unfortunately permeated the audience. With “Do Not Despair,” a slow and methodical song heavy on the keys, such a low level of energy was expected. But with the fun, ‘50s-inspired boppin’ ballad “Somebody’s Baby,” the mood of the stage was the same. At different points in the evening, Lykke Li would join El Perro del Mar for a couple tunes, such as the jovial “You Can’t Steal a Gift” and the harmonious “Inner Island.” The strange mix of the sultry Lykke Li and her equally charismatic bandmates with the peculiar moves of Sarah Assbring and her lethargic companions was more than a little hard to reconcile.
But despite the lack of enthusiasm in El Perro del Mar’s set, this Swedish lineup is musically powerful and talented. You just might want grab a cup of coffee before hand.
*I have been told numerous times from my concert companions that I missed a tremendous performance by opener Anna Ternheim. For a review of her set, please see Ian Doreian’s review from the Cambridge show.
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
