Starting July off strong, ARZ rocked the house at Dante’s in downtown Portland. Made up of lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Steve Adams and drummer/synthesizer-er Meryl Hale, the pair performed live along with some of their own pre-recorded tracks. The music was awesome and it sounded like a full-on, filled-out band. Big time.
Hale advised us that ARZ is heavily influenced by 70s bands like Rush, Yes, and ELP. They showed during this performance that they can rock with the best of them. Their music was filled with awesome change-ups and excellent guitar solos, vocals, drumming, and instrumental work. The songs are free-flowing and take us on a wicked journey. I was totally impressed by this band, and the audience lapped these tunes up greedily. This band successfully blends the power of the 70s and blends it masterfully into something new with a touch of gold.
ARZ has an album coming out this summer that will be in my collection for sure.
Echo Helstrom brought a unique energy and sound to the stage, delighting the audience. The band had a smooth, mellow sound that was overflowing with feeling. The catchy rythyms and hypnotic melodies contained many styles of music all rolled into one. The instruments themselves blended to produce a lovely sound: with smooth, mellow acoustic guitar, deep upright bass, driving, jazzy drums, and electric violin all changing from soft and gentle to bright and upbeat. They manage to blend Eastern sounds and classical strings, 60s beach music, varied harmonies, a dynamic range of volume, solos, echoes, feedback, progressions, and on, and on, and on . . . . The band is very ecclectic and talented in many genres and styles of music.
They currently have an album available on iTunes, and a new one will be released soon.
Obscured By Clouds has been around for a while, and their experience shows. They rocked the power chords, producing a solid hard-core sound. They made all the right moves to leave the audience begging for more: excellent guitar riffs, solos, and harsh sounds followed by softer ones with lots of little licks. Thumping, driving bass and drums supporting keyboards and killer lyrics made me move my head and tap my feet along with the kick-ass rock and roll.
The power of this band is awesome to behold live, as well as from the safety of home, cranked up on the CD player.
DOWNLOAD: Obscured By Clouds - Terrapin (MP3) or Follow us for more Obscured By Clouds MP3s (Twitter)
The National - 9/11
Marymoor Ampitheatre
The Black Keys - 10/2
The Paramount Theatre
Broken Social Scene - 10/10
Neumos
Broken Social Scene - 10/15
The Paramount Theatre
It was a great show. The energy was intense. I was lucky enough to be right up front.
by Burt on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 05.01 pm from the entry: The Avett Brothers + Langhorne Slim - Crystal Ballroom (Portland-town, OR; Aug. 30, 2010)
lovin trackz #4,13, and 16
by Phoxy Philly on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 04.03 pm from the entry: Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" Mixtape (download)
Nice concerning as better as clarifying position.Gives Thanks for providing for us.I show your article with my delight.
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by jhon on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 02.35 pm from the entry: Tiny Vipers + Rafael Anton Irisarri + Cars & Trains - Mississippi Studios (Portland; Jul. 14, 2010)
agree with beth! dope stuff on both sides of the review.
by @bosconcertphoto on Wed Sep 1, 2010 at 09.48 am from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Thanks Nicole!
Just wanted to say that although this may be our last time performing this show, I have many other projects in the works. Info and show schedule is on my website.
- Ben
by Ben Darwish on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 11.47 pm from the entry: Ben Darwish - Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson - Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA; August, 29, 2010)
Love these photos and review. So, these DJ sets are at 7:30? I don’t really get it. And are these gonna continue once the Whitney moves? And most importantly, where can I attend an “hour-long clinic on shaking ass?”
by beth on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 06.44 pm from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Super post there! Comprehensive and well collated material. Thanks for sharing.
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by jhon on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 01.56 pm from the entry: Deerhoof + The Donkeys + Southeast Engine - Berbati's Pan (Portland, OR; July 6, 2010)
