Although a last-minute change in the lineup had some grumbling at the door, all were soon pacified as the Antler’s first song began and a low hum grew into a deafening roar. The impact of the band lay in their complete understanding of the power of sound. Eerie, emotionally manipulative sound washed over the crowd, first slowly tugging at the audience before sweeping it up in a tidal wave. Using only a guitar, drums, keyboard, and synthesizer, the Antlers control every nuance of their instruments. The vocals, though initially captivating, quickly grew old, as the lyrics were undecipherable. It was not the poignancy of the lyrics, but the power and poetry of the sound that made the Antlers enchanting.
Beach House, also a new addition to the planned line up, contrasted the Antlers like black on white. While the Antlers relied on instrumental prowess, Beach House’s strength lay in the vocal talents of lead singer Victoria Legrand. Steady, uncomplicated riffs accompany vocals—ambient sound that sweeps one awake, to entranced, and back to sleep. Beach House provides the perfect nighttime mix with its hushed, atmospheric sound.
Having been lulled into a daze, the audience was startled to attention when a gentleman suddenly appeared, shouting, “Because times are tough, we’re giving you the tightest band in the goddamned world.”
And so The Walkmen took to the stage. The guitarist, lead singer, bassist, keyboardist, and drummer crowded on, somehow leaving room for the five trumpeters and two trombonists who followed. With a bit of a country twang at times but mostly a nasal quality—slightly reminiscent of Bob Dylan—lead singer Hamilton Leithauser instantly excited the crowd. Straining to reach high notes, veins bulged from his neck and forehead as he tipped the microphone stand back and squeezed his eyes shut. Opening band members peaked through the curtains above to peer down, smiling as they watched the performance.
And what a performance it was. Colored lights dazzled the stage as drummer Matt Barrick, grinning with exertion and joy, threw his body behind each stroke of his drumsticks. Like a little kid banging on his parents’ pots and pans, he smiled gleefully with his arms flailing and his head bouncing along to the beat. Leithauser, with an air of old-school charm in his leather bomber jacket, cupped the microphone in both hands as he crooned and the crowd went wild. Singing along, the audience jumped and bounced, rocking the stage so hard that the baseboard of the piano fell forward, landing on pianist Paul Maroon’s feet. Not missing a beat, he quickly kicked it back into place. The Walkmen are riding on a high note since releasing the brilliant You and Me. It will be interesting to see if they can get the audience under their spell quite so easily on their upcoming tour of bigger venues with Kings of Leon.
DOWNLOAD: The Walkmen - What's In It For Me (Live 2006) (MP3) or Follow us for more The Walkmen MP3s (Twitter)
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
Matt Barrick is the BEST drummer ever and your description of him is delightful!