‘Tis the season for sharing, and I’m so glad my melophobe companions did so. First, back in September, my Seattle friends extolled the talents of UK-newcomers Fanfarlo, catching the first stop of their first U.S. tour, as well as sitting down for an interview. Soon thereafter, a fellow Bostonian saw Freelance Whales’ hug-inciting Boston debut, and has been spreading the Whales’ gospel ever since. I’m so glad I listened. (Actually, so many of us melophobers listened that Freelance Whales made our list of Top 10 Best Albums of 2009!) Both of these up-and-coming bands played a fantastic night at TT the Bear’s to an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd.
Freelance Whales opened the evening with the anthemic, feel-good sing-along, “Generator^First Floor.” From the start, you could hear a chorus of mega-fans in the audience who had already memorized the lyrics to their debut LP Weathervanes. This was an impressive feat, considering the limited availability of Weathervanes, soon to be resolved through Frenchkiss Records and Mom and Pop Records signing the Whales to their label (Congratulations! You deserve it!). The band’s use of quirky instruments (banjo, glockenspiel, harmonium—even watering cans) for lighthearted pop is undeniably charming. Adding to the charm, they all somehow maintained beauty–pageant worthy smiles throughout the show, leading me to whisper to my friend, “This is the most earnest and adorable band I’ve ever seen.” We’re thrilled that they’re returning to Boston in January. Until then, I’ll be studying up on Weathervanes so I can join the happy sing-along.
Fanfarlo continued the gleeful, embracing vibe by opening their set with album stand-out “The Walls Are Coming Down.” As they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, stomping their feet in unison, the crowd nodded in time, eager to sing the rousing chorus. Fanfarlo’s frequent trading of instruments and smattering use of the trumpet, ukulele, and clarinet add a delightful, celebratory, yet casual air to their performance—or to quote my Seattle companion, a “fanciful” feel. That’s why the frequent Arcade Fire comparison (as Fanfarlo mentioned in our interview) doesn’t quite fit. Arcade Fire is brilliant, but Fanfarlo is abundantly more fun, with a lighthearted spirit more akin to Beirut. Listen to “The Walls are Coming Down” and Beirut’s “Elephant Gun” in succession, if you need further proof. After the upbeat, dance-worthy encore of “Luna,” the crowd lingered, some eager to keep dancing and some eager to meet the band and buy their merch. In both cases, the crowd was clearly energized by a fantastic night of two refreshingly fun bands just starting what we hope are long and happy careers. Hey, Arcade Fire once played this small, humble TT’s stage. Take the comparison with pride, Fanfarlo!
DOWNLOAD: Fanfarlo - Finish Line (MP3) or Follow us for more Fanfarlo MP3s (Twitter)
he is amazing bro his style can not be touched....some people dont know what he is talking about caz u dont do what he does he is sickkk bra
by dylyn on Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 11.59 am from the entry: Wiz Khalifa: Burn After Rolling (Mixtape)
Wow,Great post.Thanks for sharing with us. land wi
by wisconsin land on Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 09.53 am from the entry: of Montreal + Gang Gang Dance - Orpheum Theatre (Boston, MA; Oct. 30, 2008)
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
That guy’s voice sounds like Alex Ounsworth (lead singer of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!), which is a compliment. Don’t hear Arcade Fire, going with Alex.
I can see the CYHSY comparison, but he’s not as warbly as that guy. The voice often gets a David Byrne comparison, too. Part of the Arcade Fire thing is that they do some slow ballads in a similar style as them.
if only there was a babysitter for this indie rock parent, I would have been so there…
wait, I thought it was obvious. This guy sounds exactly like beirut. Musically, lyrically, stylisticly, etc. I am surprised a person can so overtly copy another artist and not get taken down for it.
ummm, i was talking about fanfarlo not the whales. just to be clear
Fanfarlo has collaborated with some members of Beirut, so I assume Beirut appreciates Fanfarlo’s music.
They have such a great sound. I’d love to see them live.
Loving the Freelance Whales. I’ll be surprised if they don’t find substantial success this year. The music is both intelligent and catchy, so should appeal across a broad range.