Lately, nothing has felt as revitalizing as the triumvirate from London, England. At Bonnaroo, The XX's show was fresh and invigorating. Long, dreamy guitar breaks were enough to make your head spin with delight. The experience was euphoric.
The three band mates came on stage and started playing their album's beginning track, purposefully entitled "Intro." It set a wonderfully eerie pace for the show. You could see white X's that were illuminated through lights of dark blues and purples that darkened the stage.
When the first notes of "Crystalized" were heard, every person in the big, white tent got a jult of energy. They danced to every note. With great bass lines weaving their way through the sounds from the guitar, they sang "Do I have to keep up the pace to keep you satisfied?" As the song spiraled and picked up speed, it met an end with a request to "go slow, go slow" where the crowd seemed to heed their every command.
The ominous drone of chords opposing the voices of guitarist Romy Madley Croft and Bassist Oliver Sim was truly fantastic. When the two sang, they had an almost deadly-it's-so-beautiful combination. Oliver, who began "Fantasy" with vocals mixed between speaking and singing, illustrated a dark, outer realm unlike any place music has taken me before. It gave me chills.
Romy's voice is of a soothing quality that brings the Icelandic group Múm to mind. The slight hint of sadness in her voice when she sang "Infinity" reminded me of the whimpering, emotional vocals of Cocorosie. The way she played that guitar, so filled with emotion, gave me an ache in my chest. The song built as she answered Oliver by repeating over and over that she just "can't give it up." But "VCR" concluded the show on a cheery note with beats by Jamie Smith that reminded me of a child's lullaby. The other-worldliness of the show left me speechless. The XX show was worth the entire price of the Bonnaroo admission ticket.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The London Souls at Bowery Ballroom
The London Souls are it. And by 'it' I mean the long awaited answer to the question: What ever happened to pure, straight up rock'n'roll? - The London Souls are it. The New York City based trio have given people a reason to be excited about music in a way that hasn't been, shall I say, "experienced" since the likes of Hendrix or Sly and The Family Stone. Within their tight rock'n'roll tracks, there is a blend of blues and soul (reminiscent of The Black Keys).
When I saw them tuning up on stage at the Bowery Ballroom, I couldn't contain my excitement. I have seen so many great bands at the venue, and, having seen The Souls before, knew they would blow the place to bits with their tumultuous sound. They were in control from the second they started playing their opener, appropriately titled "The Sound."
Guitarist/Singer Tash Neal tore through his instrument with such grace, unlike anything I have ever seen before. I watched in awe at the soulful, emotional expressions on his face as though they were yearning to define the notes he was playing. His psychedelic, soulful voice had every single person in the crowd moving as drummer Chris St. Hilaire would howl in response and bassist Kiyoshi Matsuyama jammed along. A handful of the songs they played had a sound similar to that of Led Zeppelin or Cream. "Under Control" began with a bang and slowed in the middle to an A Capella three-part harmony that was entirely mesmerizing.
When Kiyoshi took to the mic, he gave the set a lighter sound, but not whimsical enough to break out of the rock'n'roll mold. They blended in lyrics from songs like "Within You, Without You" in the midst of a jam session that extended over six minutes in length. The three of them together are a sight to behold. They completely mastered their instruments. They exuded a genuine 60's-esque vibe from their threads to their personas; but they're dripping with originality.
The show left me mentally exhausted but wanting more. The crowd wanted more, too. The applause the band received lasted well after they had concluded their set. After the show, they were completely drained as they lay amongst the couch cushions back stage. They pour everything inside of themselves into their performances and it showed.
The Band's first album, recorded with producer Ethan Johns at Abbey Road Studios, is set to come out in early 2011. Their captivating sound will hook you in before you have a chance to escape it. The London Souls will introduce you to what you've been missing out on.
When I saw them tuning up on stage at the Bowery Ballroom, I couldn't contain my excitement. I have seen so many great bands at the venue, and, having seen The Souls before, knew they would blow the place to bits with their tumultuous sound. They were in control from the second they started playing their opener, appropriately titled "The Sound."
Guitarist/Singer Tash Neal tore through his instrument with such grace, unlike anything I have ever seen before. I watched in awe at the soulful, emotional expressions on his face as though they were yearning to define the notes he was playing. His psychedelic, soulful voice had every single person in the crowd moving as drummer Chris St. Hilaire would howl in response and bassist Kiyoshi Matsuyama jammed along. A handful of the songs they played had a sound similar to that of Led Zeppelin or Cream. "Under Control" began with a bang and slowed in the middle to an A Capella three-part harmony that was entirely mesmerizing.
When Kiyoshi took to the mic, he gave the set a lighter sound, but not whimsical enough to break out of the rock'n'roll mold. They blended in lyrics from songs like "Within You, Without You" in the midst of a jam session that extended over six minutes in length. The three of them together are a sight to behold. They completely mastered their instruments. They exuded a genuine 60's-esque vibe from their threads to their personas; but they're dripping with originality.
The show left me mentally exhausted but wanting more. The crowd wanted more, too. The applause the band received lasted well after they had concluded their set. After the show, they were completely drained as they lay amongst the couch cushions back stage. They pour everything inside of themselves into their performances and it showed.
The Band's first album, recorded with producer Ethan Johns at Abbey Road Studios, is set to come out in early 2011. Their captivating sound will hook you in before you have a chance to escape it. The London Souls will introduce you to what you've been missing out on.
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