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.
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
