Jamie Lidell at the Bluebird

06.02.08


Didn't catch any of James Pants.


dancing around


posing


The dude in the robe also played sax - sometimes two at a time



He had a record player stuck to a bike helmet that spun a reflector over his head for one song. It was funny to watch him hold the helmet strap & balance the spinning record player as he performed. I liked that it seemed to be one of those things that didn't get thought through very well.

It was a fun show. He drew several of his songs out into jam sessions - beatboxing with different electronic effects and dancing around - a few were drawn out a bit long for my liking, but the guy is versatile. Lidell can sing and I think his voice was better showcased when I saw him perform solo at the Larimer Lounge last year.

This show had projected video with appropriated clips & live shots. They added filters to the video at times like you might expect at a concert for a big name band. Nice addition that was well done.

hey Jenna - any additional thoughts?

Fools - The Dodos ... from Monday

Man Man was the previous night and I didn't give much thought to this show or what to expect. Very surprising two piece ... there was a third guy on occasion. Their live show reproduces the full sound of their album, despite only being a pair. This is my favorite new band. A nice mix of the blues and rock-n-roll with a contemporary edge. Meric Long does the best sing, play guitar and dance while staying seated routine I've ever seen. He could easily carry a crowd on his own. Logan Kroeber's drum work is the perfect complement to Long's singing/songwriting and makes what could be a solid solo act and solid band.

Evangelicals at the Hi-Dive

Why the Evangelicals were the opening band is beyond me. Both times I've seen them they've outperformed the headliner. Their live show has a looseness that compliments their tight studio sound. Loud, balanced and energetic - cut short by the restraints of being an opener.

Papercuts & Beach House

Good show last weekend at the Hi-Dive. The Papercuts performed several songs I hadn't heard before - new songs I'd guess - most of which I liked. The dude from Beach House played the organ with them. Last time they played in Denver he wasn't around and I preferred their sound without him. His organ playing was heavy and drawn out, regularly dominating the Papercuts simple sound. Beach House was consistent with their albums - they sound best to me as a background and not as a feature.






Papercuts - John Brown




Beach House - Apple Orchard

Built to Spill @ the Gothic 02.28.08

First time to see Built to Spill live - even though we share the same hometown and they've been around since '92 and they tour regularly and they put on a good show! Playing for well over an hour, they covered a lot of ground and I'm glad to say I've seen and heard Boise's biggest claim to worthwhile indie rock.



Video from the show - Goin' Against Your Mind from their 2006 album - You in Reverse

matthew dear - hi-dive 10.12.07

Matthew Dear's got a great voice with style and mannerisms that are reminiscent of Bowie and Beck. A charismatic performer - even with his eyes-closed style of singing. The downside was the performance was heavily reliant on a laptop and pre-recorded loops. yeah, it's electronic pop, but the live and prepackaged union here wasn't always clean.

I would still recommend the show ... Asa Breed's a great album.