CMJ Recap: ThursdayCMJ Recap: Thursday
Cold War Kids, another one of the blogger-love bands, played a free show at the Apple Store mid-afternoon. If you haven't seen a free show at the Apple Store, I recommend it. It's got great sound and comfortable seating, and for a grand price of zero dollars you can't complain. It was the Cold War Kids' first performance ever with a sitting down audience, but they still got the Mac-geeks grooving in their seats to a powerful soul-rock performance of songs off their 2006 album Robbers & Cowards.
Lead singer Nathan Willett (who totally has a Woody Harrelson look going) drank a bottle of Perrier at the piano until it was conveniently used as percussion in "Deathrow." They were also pretty amused about their photograph being projected right behind them (an Apple Store thing I guess). They played one brand new song, but it sounded a lot like the rest of their songs. I think their sound is awesomely unique (for this time period anyway) and catchy. My only fear is that now they've found a comfort zone they'll end up staying in for their next record. When they played "Hospital Beds," I actually got goose bumps. Highly recommended if you get a chance to see them. Check out an interview with Natahn Willett over at Culture Bully.
Next up in the CMJ free retail show line-up was Silversun Pickups at the Puma Store in Union Square. Literally making it just before they started playing (don't you love when that happens?), I enjoyed their self-admittedly hungover set of songs off of this year's Carnavas and last years Pikul EP (top 10 of 2005, easily). Their drummer has the most enthusiasm on stage, and their bassist has a gorgeous voice. I was also put at ease when I could finally stop wondering if lead singer Brian Aubert wrote "Lazy Eye" about himself (sure looks like it to me).
A few subway transfers (and a meal and a nap) later I showed up at The Knitting Factory, my favorite CMJ venue. They have three floors, so you always have something else to choose if you get bored. Their help is incredibly nice (let me in with two girls who didn't have tickets to last year's show) and it's even got air conditioning.
Sparky Quano was an unexpected thrill from Japan (and this was his first visit to NYC). As just one god-like guitar player with a whole slew of pedals, he creates everything including percussion and backup layers from a single guitar. Only other person I've seen fully do this is Kaki King. But while she is on the folk-instrumental side of things, Sparky was definitely raised by Pelican and Megadeth. His instrumental rock songs, with the occasional ghostly whispers, caught everyone in the room off guard. It was great seeing him play two dozen guitar pedals with his bare toes like a piano, churning out tribal beats and space-rock that was over before you knew it. Wearing sweatpants and no shoes or socks, you felt like you were getting a peek into his bedroom, where he'd be jamming out even if there wasn't an audience.
Odiorne were too loud, and while they played tightly, they didn't have much to offer as entertainers or musicians.
Saxon Shore put out one of my favorite instrumental rock albums last year and their live show didn't disappoint. Their instrumentation was almost as lush as I was at this point, scoring a free drink from the bartender for being nice. The band members were really concentrated on their instruments as their sound filled the Knitting Factory's Old Office basement.
Lewis & Clarke's Lou Rogal delivered lo-fi, bare-your-soul folk that was appreciated by the sparse attendees (most of which had floated upstairs to see An Albatross at this time). It's always interesting seeing albums I use for falling asleep to live. If their live performance puts me to sleep is that good or bad? I face this issue with bands like Six Parts Seven, Album Leaf and Lewis & Clarke. I've used his 2005 album Bare Bones & Branches to carry me off to slumber for many months, and while his performance was spot-on with the album, I found it to be a relaxing break to the rest of my day.
Headlining for the evening was Chicago's Dogme 95. Also a one-man band (see a trend tonight?), Nick Wright's set of Beck-esque folk-pop with a little assistance from a fog machine was enjoyable. Nick didn't let the confinement of a stage stop him as he wandered around the floor swinging his microphone and busting out Windy City dance moves. Halfway through the set he brought a second guitar on stage and things turned a bit more psych-rock. My only compliant is his reliance on pre-recorded background material. He should try to make friends with a drummer because beats coming from a CD player just aren't the same.
More photos after the jump
Cold War Kids @ Apple Store Soho
Cold War Kids @ Apple Store Soho
