Very amazing seeing tB+ record release party on Tuesday.
Main thought prior to the show was: will it suck, adding a vocalist?
All around relief from us in the audience as the band went for an initial 50 minute stretch, playing as God-made-em: (not nude, silly) an accomplished, telepathic instrumental trio.
Still, a persistent worrying thought was: how can they allow a girl into the clubhouse? Will this upset the testosterone-apple-cart?
All concerns vanished at 10:09 pm when a deferential but assertive Wendy Lewis popped up in the band's midst, managing to take a Kurt Cobain vocal "Lithium" and make it her own.
I don't have enough reference points to make a closer triangulation but I would describe the vocal style as Patty Smiths range but with post-Boomer sense of irony. Closer to PJ Harvey than to Kim Deal, though less grand and scarey than PJ Harvey, more approachable and healthy. I'd like to see her sit in on vocals for either The Descendents or Deerhoof.
I'm sure we all appreciated the added visual appeal of having a girl crash the male clubhouse.
The crowd was wildly endorsing of her presence and wouldn't stop clapping. I'm not sure if the band can go backwards again after this to an instrumental format. It's like the vibrating bed at a motel: initially you didn't see a need for it but when the last quarter runs out, you miss the vibrating presence.
The boys may have a hard time putting this genie back in the bottle.
Conclusion: TBP with WL are a worthwhile further iteration on the Nouvelle Vague concept, with both vocalist and band being superior in every way to NV.
The new Bad Plus album includes many covers from the show: Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb', Yes' 'Long Distance Runaround', and Nirvana's 'Lithium' all worked great live. Some enjoyable tension occurred when lyrics written for a 4/4 time were played in the odd time-signatures of the Bad Plus.
Follow Up: Do The Math makes numerous interesting observations in their blog account of what the band did the following day: live accompaniment to the New York Fashion Week tent show of Isaac Mizharhai in Bryant Park .
I agree 100%. Still haven't heard them live, but they're coming to SF in March, so gonna hear them then -- but I love the new album. Best song -- Radio Cure. I can't hear the Wilco song without thinking about tB+ version.
How are you? Are you still teaching?!
Posted by: Albert | February 20, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Okay, I gotta check it out. (Thanks to your earlier recommendation, Silence Is the Question is tied for 24 on my iTunes "Top 25 most played" list.)
Posted by: Peter | February 22, 2009 at 05:23 AM
Haha, for some reason I clicked on this link and thought, ooh, nice review. I wonder where this writer works. Maybe you missed your true profession...or maybe we'll be seeing your byline elsewhere, soon?
Posted by: Evelyn | March 04, 2009 at 11:49 AM