Show Review

Pictures

I think what was most surprising about this show was the fact that it was sponsored by Alternative Press Magazine: this was the "Alternative Press Magazine's Bands You Need To Know Tour Presented By Rockstar Energy Drink." Each of the bands was selected from the "100 Bands You Need To Know" issue for 2007; the cover was split between Cute Is What We Aim For And Circa Survive. I didn’t realize the magazine was so in tune with bands of this nature—that is, smaller bands. Sure enough, though, there were enough Rockstar drinks littering the smoking area to feed an army of scene kids, and a tent propped up (with a PA) that looked a bit out of place at the less-than-packed venue. Inside, I was surprised to see Guitar Hero 2 set up near the back on the left side of the venue—I guess everyone wanted to get their hands on some sponsorship dollars for this one.

In any case, I was clearly most excited to see Circa Survive and Envy And The Coast more than anything else on this evening. I feel like Cute Is What We Aim For just isn’t what I’m looking for at all and I was generally pretty put to sleep by the latest As Tall As Lions record (though I am in love with their debut, “Lafcadio”).

Long Island\'s \"Envy On The Coast\" was up next. Their mellow, but catchy rock songs were performed with a sense of ease this evening, and I enjoy their sensible nature to write piano-laced rock songs (ala Copeland). I can’t say I was truly blown away by this band, or that I’m really obsessed with them, but their style is definitely something I’m into. After seeing their set, which showcased songs mostly from their latest self-titled EP, I’m a bit more excited to see them release a new full-length (which I hear is due sometime this year, possibly).

As Tall As Lions were a band I loved—I enjoyed their noisy, poppy and vibrant debut “Lafcadio” immensely. Their latest, the self-titled full-length on Triple Crown again, is noticeably more mellow and less dynamic as a whole, though. The hooks are still there, scattered amidst the ambient, slow, piano driven pop songs, but I just miss the loud, noisy panning of guitars the band put out on their debut. Their set was equally disappointing, though the band were tight and played actually super well, I just couldn’t groove to the slow, sloth-like pace of the newer songs they played. I kept hoping they might play an older song, and when they did, I didn’t recognize it—so things weren’t going that good so far in the evening. Still, if you ARE a fan of the band’s latest, you would’ve likely been way impressed, as they were super tight and, especially vocally, they sounded phenomenal.

The second “Cute Is What We Aim For” took the stage was the second I started walking out for a 30 minute smoke break. Granted, I’m a cynical jerk sometimes, but I’ll usually stay to at least watch a band every now and again, regardless of whether I like them or not. But when the band rotated out their backdrop to put up a silhouette of their album art (a pixilated girl) and they kicked into their three-four chord punk pop songs and the kids started singing along like they might pass out, I just couldn’t handle it. That being said, if you’re into this band, I apologize for not watching them—I just am way not into them and wanted to save my energy for Circa’s set.

In any case, Circa Survive came out and I felt like they really couldn’t do anything to impress me anymore at this point. I mean, I’ve seen the band several times now, from their first shows in California to their hyped tour with Dredg—what else could they do but simply nail it?

This time they had a video display running that was synched with their set—it was mildly entertaining but certainly nothing to stare at for the entire set. As usual, Anthony Green was his charismatic self (it’s funny because he doesn’t even attempt to be charismatic I don’t think, I think kids just worship him) and every kid in the front were reaching to get a feel on him. Kind of creepy, but nothing I hadn’t seen before.

Then, finally, the band played a few new jams from their forthcoming (May 30) release on Equal Vision…and I was stunned. The new songs had electrifying guitar hooks, as expected soaring vocals, and a new sense of style and sound to them. One of the songs reminded me almost of Poison The Well, with a slow, wall-crumbling guitar riff and almost monotonous, predictable chord changes—but it sounded monstrous and exciting. As usual, their guitar players were especially spot on, playing nearly flawlessly with the new album—and Anthony was singing just about as good as he was last time I saw him. Still, I couldn’t help but be revitalized by seeing the band again—and will probably see them every other time they come through. I just love the band’s sense of dynamics and style and truly can’t get enough of Green’s voice—call me typical.

review by Andrew Martin