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Strand of Oaks at the Tralf Music Hall (7/25/15)

July 27, 2015

Let me start this review with a gripe of mine. I really do love the Tralf as a venue. It’s a good space, the booking is on point, and the staff there is awesome. That said, they inexplicably decide to put up table seating arrangements for the majority of shows. Oft I would say 75% of the time this just leads to the crowd pushing the tables back and standing in front anyway. Other times, it just completely depletes the energy from the crowd and totally ruins the vibe. I start my review this way though not to complain, but to praise the adaptability of Timothy Showalter. I’ve stated that I thought HEAL, Showalter’s latest release as Strand of Oaks, was one of the purest rock albums I’d heard in a while. So watching he and his band mates take the stage, prepping to rip into the songs from that album, I[...]

The Tallest Man on Earth at Asbury Hall (7/22/15)

July 23, 2015

Having apologized for not being back to Buffalo for five years, Kristian Matsson recalled his last visit at Babeville: “Last time I was here I played in the basement. I haven’t improved as a person,” he paused. “…but I have friends now.” The Swedish songwriter flashed a proud smirk as he caught the members of his backing band in an over-the-shoulder periphery. In addition to his new backing band, Matsson—or The Tallest Man On Earth—brought a particular liveliness to the stage of Asbury Hall this past Wednesday night. With a fresh album on his fingertips, the NC folk outfit Hiss Golden Messenger in support, and the beautiful Asbury Hall packed with adoring fans, Matsson had a few things to be excited about. Opener Hiss Golden Messenger got the night rolling with an impressive set of their folky alt-country mash. I’ll admit to not knowing much about HGM before just a[...]

My Morning Jacket at Artpark (7/22/15)

July 23, 2015

Last night, thousands flocked to Artpark in Lewiston for the highly anticipated WNY return of My Morning Jacket. The band went on at 7:30pm and played 21 songs straight through for a noble two hours. They kicked off with a more ambient selection that throughout the night would lead into more exciting and upbeat songs for the end. I spent a lot of time throughout the show in an attempt to categorize their music. Having read so much about the band’s genre(s), ranging from “southern rock” to “jam” to “indie rock”, none of those choices seemed to quite add up. First and foremost, regardless of where this band is from (Kentucky to be exact), they do not fall into what I would consider “southern rock.” Even more so though, certainly not a “jam” band. Although MMJ does jam on some of their songs, they seem to have no desire to experiment.[...]

Elvis Depressedly at the Space (7/18/15)

July 19, 2015

Minutes into his set Saturday night in Hamden, Connecticut, Mathew Cothran, mic chord snaked around his hands and neck, asked the crowd at the Space if they were into prophecy. He then launched into a bunch of authoritative lines that seemed like he was performing an exorcism. Cothran’s project, Elvis Depressedly, mixed introspective lyrics with a more high powered edge than the way the songs appear on his album, this year’s New Alhambra, which is in part an homage to the arena that used to host ECW wrestling. The songs are fairly downcast, reminiscent of early Bright Eyes, mixing refined production linked together with obscure samples of muddled dialogue. On stage, Cothran prowls around while the four members of his band bring his songs to life. Barely any of his songs hit three minutes, but he went the distance for each one, holding the mic with a vice grip and[...]

Werid Al at UB’s Center for the Arts (7/15/15)

July 15, 2015

Weird Al is typically viewed as a comedian more often than a musician. In the public’s eye, musicianship is hard for any comedian to earn, especially one that parodies. So before going to Weird Al’s sold-out show at the Center for the Arts last night, I thought of it more as a chance to see a legendary comedian than a rock star. But then again, would I be this excited to see a comedian who I could recite (sing along with?) most of their punch lines? With an extensive songbook spanning decades of musical genres and pop references, the show was not only a culmination of Weird Al’s career, but also a two and a half hour history lesson of our modern culture—from Jeopardy to Forrest Gump to eBay. And like many artists who have too many hits to play, songs would run into one another in long, tightly choreographed[...]

Glastonbury: Part 2 (6/27/15, 6/28/15)

July 10, 2015

Saturday (6/27/15) While many artists caused a stir going into Glastonbury, none inspired the kind of controversy that Kanye West did as the hip hop super star when tabbed as the festival’s headliner, so much that the announcement drew a petition with over 130,000 signatures protesting the booking. Even death threats were aimed at Kanye West and festival owner Michael Eavis following the news. With Kanye’s Saturday headlining slot loomed heavy over the entire weekend, people debated and argued. It seemed like even other artists were commenting on the discussion, with some covering him or others taking time out of their set to slag him off. So what would happen when Kanye finally took the stage to a crowd of 90,000 people? Rumors swirled all weekend about whether he would show, who would join him, and if he was actually gonna drive in on a tank. But as the anticipation[...]

Glastonbury: Part 1 (6/25/15, 6/26/15)

July 9, 2015

While this blog has featured road trips from such places as Rochester and Toronto, Glastonbury might easily walk away as the easy winner of this blog’s longest voyage. So, would the largest and most famous music festival in the world be worth the 4,000 mile trip? In a word: Yes. I should begin this article by being honest. This is not my first Glastonbury. While I have been to domestic festivals such as Bonnaroo and Coachella, there is something about Glastonbury that always brings me back. The billing, the size, the hype, they all surely play a part in the appeal, but more than anything, it’s the otherwordliness of it all. Glastonbury feels less a festival than it does a remote temporary nation: one where everyone shares the same inspiring values, where people don’t have to concern themselves with day jobs but instead rather to see Jamie xx or Run[...]

Steve Earle & The Dukes at Buffalo Iron Works (7/7/15)

July 8, 2015

Last night, American music legend Steve Earle transformed Buffalo Iron Works into a Sportsman’s-esque honky tonk, raising the roof with his pure country and western rock. The thrilled sold out crowd was blessed with an almost two hour set of Earle classics new and old, with nary a note of the BS and corny ass beats endemic of modern country. This was a true celebration of the music of the American south, with strong notes of blues and folk that unified the set and righteously eschewed musical segregation. Buffalo is definitely Steve Earle country as Iron Works packed in a way I’ve not seen yet, and his true believers went home very, very happy. I’d almost call it a religious experience, especially standing outside in the alley next to the stage in the rain (because it was too goddamn hot inside the bar), but I know Steve doesn’t hold with[...]

Pity Sex & Ceremony at Mohawk Place (6/5/15)

July 5, 2015

I had a very pleasant holiday weekend. The 4th really was a nice night. I drove “home” to Hamburg, lit off some fireworks, and spent the night at my parents like I was a spry teen once again. Truthfully, July 5th had me just as excited as Pity Sex was playing at Mohawk Place. Having consumed approximately five (or eight) Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandies (and a few shots of Goldschlager) the night before, my blood was running thin with gold flecks and citrus-flavored alcohol, but nothing could stop me from making it to Mohawk. By some twisted stroke of fate (no, I don’t want to talk about it), I ended up walking in on Pity Sex already on stage. I’m sure I missed “Wind Up” and “When You’re Around” (heartbreaking), but I was able to catch a decent portion of the band’s set. The first complete song I caught was “Acid Reflux” off[...]

Spoon at Canalside (6/25/15)

June 27, 2015

It goes without saying that there’s something exceptional about a band that’s been in the game for so long and still preserves a knack for consistency and relevance. In the case of Spoon, “in the game” translates to eight full length releases over the span of two decades, six singles peaking in the top 50 of US rock charts, music placement in over a dozen movies and television shows, and international tours galore. I imagine the band’s consistent success being attributed to the unique duality of their music. It has a classic rock ‘n’ roll feel to it and is poppy enough to reel in droves of both young and old. Spoon is like the quiet cool kid you knew from high school — somehow noticed by few and everyone at the same time — who undeniably wore his heart on his sleeve but disguised that sensitivity with a gritty[...]

Mother Mother at the Rapids Theater (6/21/15)

June 23, 2015

Our neighbors from the north, Mother Mother, made a stop at Rapids Theater Sunday night and played a strong show for an enthusiastic crowd. Starting the night off, though, was Buffalo’s very own Sleepy Hahas. With Steve Lattimore sitting in on drums, the band played its strongest set in well over a year. Everyone seemed to be in tune with one another, and front man Pat Butler performed with the energy of a man who knows his band is on the upswing. For a band plagued with distractions lately, all appeared to have been left at the door, or back at home, somewhere, but not at the venue. Based on the band’s reactions, it’s going to be that way moving forward too. With strong improvisational components to most of the selections, perhaps best was the straight through performance of “Tiresias.” The band produced enough sound for a stadium and the crowd[...]

Real Estate at the Tralf Music Hall (6/20/15)

June 22, 2015

Within ten minutes of me shuffling in, the entire venue goes from about 300 people to full capacity. Bodies are pressed up against the stage. Every crevice is filled on the floor. The band dives right into their muted, suburban-rock jams. “Have my adopted babies!” “Play at my wedding!” Proclamations like these along with “Fuck yeah, Real Estate” chants are hurled at the band from keyed-up fans. When you hear Real Estate, you don’t really picture their live show being accompanied by a rowdy audience. Understated sound and presence is their whole schtick, but it strikes me as less of a schtick and more of an inherent quality of all five members. In a 2014 interview with Pitchfork, guitarist Matt Mondanile states, “Our music possesses an ambient quality similar to electronic music — it’s pleasing to have on in the background.” There is no gimmick with this New Jersey born[...]

Widespread Panic at Artpark (6/16/15)

June 19, 2015

Last year, Widespread Panic suffered a similar fate to Athens after Poseidon lost the city to Athena in a great challenge. Irrate with anger, he flooded the city in spite, as he would Artpark that fateful night. Attendees were compensated with tickets to Ziggy Marley or Gregg Allman, but those remedies could not mend the emptiness that those who left after a half show felt. Panic would not let the people of Western New York down twice, and played a strong and complete show to kick off their 2015 summer tour earlier this week. The band that can outsell Taylor Swift in the south played for an about two thirds full Artpark crowd Tuesday night and it was a beautiful evening indeed for music. Last year, before WP’s fall tour, founding member and drummer Todd Nance left the band for personal reasons. Wasting no time, the band picked up Duane[...]

Pattern Is Movement at Mohawk Place (6/14/15)

June 15, 2015

If you missed Pattern Is Movement last night, you didn’t miss a show, you missed an opportunity to hang out with a couple of really cool guys. Andrew Thiboldeaux and Chris Ward, the two members of the band, are nearing the end of the project, and made one last stop at Mohawk Place last night that was nothing short of intimate. As the forgetful, muggy, and grey Buffalo summer day drew to an end, and a light crowd slowly filled up the reddish insides of the Mohawk, three drum sets sat at the stage in the back of the venue, which probably broke some sort of drums-per-capita record inside the venue as the only other instruments up there were the two keyboard-synths Thiboldeaux would later sing through. CCDS (Death Squad) ended up being tapped in as the opening for Pattern after a whirlwind of changes to the opening act, and the[...]

Tyler, The Creator at Town Ballroom (6/14/15)

June 15, 2015

Sunday night, Tyler, The Creator, the controversial former/current ringleader of the rap group Odd Future, made his return to Buffalo at an interesting point in his career. The young cult rap superstar had just in recent weeks continually announced then denied the end of Odd Future, and was fresh off the release of his new album which continued to move further away from his debut effort Goblin. So needless to say, it was interesting to see how this show was gonna pan out and how the hardcore Odd Future fans that made up the audience would response to it. While the show opened with some of Tyler’s earliest work from Goblin, including perhaps Tyler’s strongest (and most demented track), “Tron Cat,” the show was mostly dominated by songs from his new record, Cherry Bomb. I’ll admit to not being the biggest fan of the new album, as I feel like[...]