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indie-snob>+!#
bright eyes @ the metro (5-8-03)
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I'm Saddle Creek obsessed. So when I see Conor Oberst emerge from a the theatre door next to me, I'm going to be excited, and when I find out Mike Mogis is playing with him, as is long-time companion Jiha Lee, I can't help but be more excited. But first off, Head of Femur opened, a local Chicago band. This, however, does not mean a Chicago band. In fact, most of the members have toured with Bright Eyes (some downright members of the band) and others played once for the now split Saddle Creek bands, Lullaby for the Working Class and Gabardine. But with seven people on stage, you truly got the effect of a magnificent band, with two violinists, two guitars, a bass, drums, keyboard and probably a lot more I could never remember. They sounded fantastic, and are releasing a new album this summer, which will probably be really good. I really found myself wanting to compare them to Belle & Sebastian, although I compare everything to them. It was indie pop, without being pop music, if that makes sense. Very good though. Then Arab Strap came out, who I've been a fan of for a while now. In addition to the normal acoustic guitar, a violinist and a cellist accompanied the group, along with several drum machines. They played a 40-minute set VERY HEAVY off of the new record (which I reviewed on here a week ago or so), which was all the better for me and probably the audience. They sounded pretty damn good, so I was aptly impressed with their lo-fi to hi-fi sound as majestic strings swirled on stage like I've never heard before. Wow. It was deafening but haunting at the same time. But Bright Eyes came out, and I love my Bright Eyes. Opening with their song off the SC Sampler (LBJ-50), "One Foot in Front of the Other," it was a quiet, acoustic way to begin the show, as Oberst fought off girlish screams from the audience... some more blatant than others: "I want to fuck you Conor!" But nonetheless, he sounded, in his raspy, off-key way, so wonderful, his fingers picking at his acoustic guitar without a pick, but with a lot of passion, going from an acoustic-folk ballad to something far more powerful instantly. He actually didn't pay much attention to "Lifted" during his set which made me slightly unhappy, as there were many songs I would have loved to hear live off there, but he did play many of the "Greats" off "Fevers & Mirrors." I was hoping for some songs off "Letting Off the Happiness" too (especially "June on the West Coast" and "Padraic my Prince"), but Mr. Oberst did not comply, instead playing really old songs and a couple new ones, like the fantastic take on "Ode to Joy," aptly retitled "Road to Joy," ripping on today's political situation and much more. It sounded really great, as did Oberst's band, a more trimmed down than the usual 14 that accompany him, today with a total around 8. Instruments included: 1-2 electric guitars, acoustic guitar, drums, keyboards, flute, bass, bells, glockenspiel and a dulcimer. woo. Definitely a great show. Not the best (Flaming Lips beat them out), but still good. Definitely worth checking them out, this tour or next time, or if you're one of those lucky bastards going to Field Day. Favorite scream of the night: Girl says, "YOU TURNED ME STRAIGHT!" Hah. Setlist: A Song to Pass the Time And if you really wanted it for some reason, I could email you a copy of the actual thing... because I have it... MUAHAHAH. Serves me right for being there 2 hours before so I'd be front and center... Goodnight everyone. Concert well. |