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Sunday, September 9, 2007

reviewed: spoon at the commodore ballroom

Writing a review for a Spoon gig is kinda tricky, because, well, they're Spoon... and are pseudo-legends in their own right. With that said, this was the first time I've seen them live... and regardless of the hype, I was more than impressed.

For me Britt Daniel stole the show. Dude is a guitar player's guitar player. The funny thing is that the guy doesn't mess around with noodle-y lead/solo stuff but rather sticks to the rhythm work. He's like a robot with the clutch & gear shift style changes... bouncing from quarter to eighth to sixteenth and thirty second note progressions. He holds the entire band together, and just when you think you've figured him out he keeps things interesting by going off on these fiery, distorted, 12 bar experimental type breaks, literally turning his back to the crowd and going for broke... just 'cause he can.

I realize that if you're not into the technical fabric of a band and just go to shows to push your way up front and cheer using your beer bottle as a rally baton (seriously, what was up with that guy?) this might not be relevant to you... but for me... this was a whole pile of geeky fantastic.

Also fantastic at the show:

- the married couple, who came straight from their wedding - in wedding dress and tuxedo, no less - to the gig.

- the horn section from Black Joe Louis sitting in with Spoon. You had me at baritone saxophone.

Not fantastic:

- they didn't play Finer Feelings... I realize that the song might be a bit tongue/cheek... but it's best of 2007 material.

Either way, I'm not complaining, and (yay!) my ears are still ringing.

elsewhere

wolf parade played down the street

Labels: commodore ballroom, reviewed, spoon

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