If you haven’t heard of Hercules and Love Affair, it would seem that you are not alone. Despite their critically acclaimed self-titled debut, the Brooklyn based musical project remains under the radar to many musical fans outside of New York. This is a shame. I had listened to their album at least a dozen times before seeing them live at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge. This is an unusual occasion for me. All too often I show up to a concert to listen to a band for either the first time or after only a couple of album spins. But this time I showed up with expectations and they were high. Their album is excellent.
While Hercules and Love Affair didn’t blow me away live, it’s just danceable enough that you know DJ Andy Butler (the musical genius behind the group) is on to something big. But the problem with playing live is that Mr. Butler has had to abandon the subtle sounds that define Hercules and Love Affair. While Pendulum recently rocked the Middle East Downstairs with an intense performance, Hercules and Love Affair have to contend with making songs like “Iris” and “This is My Love” work in a loud, over-the-top environment. Nomi Ruiz brings the sexual chops to energize any male-dominated crowd and her stage presence is good, but the whole experience feels muddled. Is this intelligent dance music or are we just trying to get bodies to gyrate?
I fell most in love with the contributions of Kim Ann Foxman who provides vocals that truly enrich the project and give it a depth that proves just how clever Andy Butler can be. He’s truly put together a group that works together as a whole and even at the loud Middle East Downstairs you can appreciate the contribution of each member (including the fantastic trumpets!). You just wish that the subtleties could shine through as well as they do on the album. As this is also their first tour (starting in May of this year), it’s understandable that they’re still finding an appropriate stage presence. I wish them much success and would look forward to seeing them again live in Boston.
Final verdict: I highly recommend picking up their album for your collection. If you like what you’re hearing, you’ll enjoy seeing them live.
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
hey are you guys fans of “the ballet” I see they only seem to play new york but I’d love to go to a show sometime!
I haven’t heard of “The Ballet” but now I’m curious.