Show Review

Maybe it's because he was formerly in Taking Back Sunday, or maybe because he just plain writes great songs, but somehow Straylight Run is headlining their own tour. Gladly, it was coming to my area, so I excitedly decided to check out the band who is bound to get landed on a label of their choice at any moment. Still, with no released material (except a few demos on the internet) and no label, I didn't expect to see nearly as many kids as I did at the show. Perhaps they came for Matt Pryor (Get Up Kids)'s side project, The New Amsterdams, who released "Worse For The Wear" a few weeks ago on Vagrant.

Murder By Death opened, playing a very interesting indie style with a female celloist. They weren't too hot; the vocalist was often off and had to keep on tuning his guitar. I suppose that's not his fault, but their music really didn't have any sort of punch, and while the instrumentals were good, the vocals pierced on without much enjoyment and almost killed their songs. I liked their energy and style, but their music just plain didn't sound that great at all. Very cluttery.

Seeing The Format earlier last month was not only a great time: it was an amazing time. Once again the band played with great charm and energy, sounding magnificent. Of course, more kids new the songs but I think it was pretty obvious that kids who didn't even know the band's music were enjoying it. Another great show put on by a band who is simply hidden from plain view.

I was super excited to see The New Amsterdams, as I enjoy the new disc quite a bit, but unfortunately Matt didn't have a band with him to play the backing parts so it got pretty boring. Though his voice is incredible, and the songs are great on record, he just couldn't compel me at the show; I can only stand to hear a guitarist and voice for so long. And while he sounded brilliant and the kids enjoyed his set, I just got more and more bored. Even when he finally played my favorite track, "From California," I just couldn't get into the hookless drone.

Straylight Run, however, blew me away right away. A loud sonic whirl of guitar soundwaves came from John Nolan's guitar and they opened with a very loud, noisy, rockin tune, which I simply didn't expect. His sister, Michelle Nolan, did a great job with backing vocals, and the band sounded very tight and solid. Some of the new songs were somewhat boring, and some almost cheesy (country style), but the three amazing songs I love by them sounded literally stunning and perfect, and once again John amazed me live. Michelle even did a solo song and she seemed a bit nervous throughout the night, but regardless did a great job. The band's future looks bright, and while I can't say I enjoyed how all the new songs sounded, I can say this band is destined for stardom and knows how to put on a rockin, energetic, and emotion-stricken set. Good choice? Yes.

I'd recommend you go see this show if you enjoy Straylight Run's music, and while it's their first tour ever, this might be your last chance to see the band in a small, intimate setting. Who knows.

review by Andrew Martin