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indie-snob>+!#
death cab for cutie @ metro (10-12-03)
with pinebender |
Line-up: Pinebender ? Death Cab for Cutie
I remember how excited I was for this show, seeing it listed on the Metro website in late August, already gearing up for the fantastic show I would see. I imagined all the wonderful songs I would here, all my favorites, all the new ones I had not yet heard but could only imagine being amazing. I even thought maybe Ben Gibbard would bust out something from his superb solo album split with Andrew Kenny of the American Analog Set; I thought that maybe they'd even play something by the Postal Service. Then I got Transatlanticism, and not only was it a fantastic letdown (I mean that, too, it's a good album, but not for Death Cab), but I only started holding out more hope for the show. I went with a bunch of friends, some of whom were dressed up (it was our homecoming); my AP Language teacher went the night before (to the 18+ show) and I stood in line 2 hours prior with some nice girls from Milwaukee (or some such town). People were just genuinely excited for this. The 18 and over show sold out, this one was on the verge of selling out, and all around, people began to gather. (I even made my parents let me stay home for the long weekend while they went out of town.) The Chicago band Pinebender opened. I think my main issue with Pinebender was that they just became annoying. Sure, I listen to a lot of instrumental stuff like Pinebender. They slightly resembled Mogwai in dramatic changes in dynamics, maybe a little bit of some art noise like Hella or Lightning Bolt, but it was just so… blah. Nothing set them apart from any other instrumental band, and I think when relying on guitars and drums, you really need something defining to keep interest. With that said, there really wasn't anything interesting to keep. I remember them not having any vocals, but my friends all assure me that there were indeed vocals. Not a lot, but I guess there were. (I've actually seen them again since back then, and not only were they much better, but had a lot of vocals.). Pinebender just was. I respected what they were doing, just couldn't get into it live. Grade: C And Death Cab came out, the crowd was excited, and we were certain we were in for a good show. The band seemed in moderately good spirits (meh, I guess they ARE pretty damn emo, so I'm not sure what we really should expect), but I was surprised as one song after another rolled off of the new LP, staying largely away from any of the previous albums. I think the problem was that I really wanted to hear a lot from Photo Album, which is, by no doubt, my favorite Death Cab album. As much as I like all their work, I think I just had too many expectations for this show. I don't really have any problem with bands playing setlists that differ from my own ideal setlist, but I guess I had been so excited for this for months, that once it all came, it just seemed like a letdown. I must admit, though, that I really do like a lot of the new songs, but as the band played the 7+ minute "Transatlanticism," this seemed a bit problematic. I guess we got all the favorites, "Champagne From a Paper Cup"… wait! That's not all the favorites! They played "I'm A Kaleidoscope"… is that a hit? Maybe I'm just upset because I didn't get to see the Postal Service when they came. Damn 18+ shows. Maybe I'm just a terribly bitter individual. But something about Death Cab's set left me a) tired and b) wanting a lot, lot more. They played well, perfectly, in fact, without any sort of hitch. Ben seemed like a nice guy, funny enough, charismatic. So what's the problem? Well, can't tell you exactly. Grade: B Related Reviews: |
