MGMT + Yeasayer - Great Scott (Allston, MA; Feb. 12, 2008)

One of music’s greatest instruments is its ability to evoke the landscape from which it was created.  Some music does a better job of this than others; in fact some bands seem to make it a point to infuse their sound with the local soil.  The Icelandic bands accomplish this with an almost magical particularity-- Bjork, Mum, and Sigur Ros all come to mind.  That being said, I am constantly amazed by Brooklyn bands that totally blow this formula and represent a landscape in their music that sounds nothing like the brownstone apartment infested, hipster attracting, Mecca for Midwesterners that want to forget where they came from.  Nothing against Brooklyn at all; I actually really like the place, but I am always pleasantly surprised that Brooklyn bands can create music that sounds nothing like that rather large corner of NY.

You can add Yeasayer to that list.  The band envoked a range of musical manna—sometimes they strayed toward an island sound, and sometimes 1970’s sun soaked southern rock.  The tunes sounded anything but Brooklyn, with the exception of a couple more concrete-inspired danceable jams.  The lead singer even had a crab tattoo on his arm.  Perhaps he is a Cancer, but I thought the Crab fit in quite well with the beachy island feel.  The sunny sound came mostly from perfectly executed multi-part vocal harmonies and pounding tribal drum rhythms.  Seamlessly integrated samples played well with dance guitar parts and jumping bass lines.

Some may dispute my take on the regional genesis of Yeasayer sound, but one thing that is certain is that the sound is movement building.  The energy of Yeasayer live made me want to build a grassroots youth movement and overturn musical institutions.  I could have marched into the street right then, but the night was not over.

I honestly felt bad for MGMT.  They had to follow an act as good as Yeasayer, and keep the crowd entertained.  MGMT took my pity and spat on it.  They followed with their own burst of psychedelic soaked message, and they were good looking to boot.  I felt like they should be backing a fashion show, winking at models and unimportant celebrities rather than entertaining a bunch of disheveled Bostoners on a Tuesday night.  But they were not aloof; MGMT played off the crowd’s energy and they continued the show with what Yeasayer had started-- one mind bender after another.  You could not force me to pick a highlight.  The crowd danced to every song and the performance was unique.  In “Time to Pretend” the band declares “This is our decision to live fast and die young…” – MGMT embodies this vision.  Perhaps the declaration is naïve and youthful, but that is the appeal.  Rock has lost a bit of its soul in recent times, but with bands like MGMT we may get to see that youthful energy return.  Fast living, free spirited, movement building kids capturing the essence of youth in every note.

MGMT ended the show with a perfect gesture.  The supporting members left the stage and the remaining two sang karaoke-style to the tune “kids”.  The crowd danced and at the end MGMT threw up the Peace Sign and walked off.  I cannot imagine a more appropriate ending for two bands that may change the direction of rock. 

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