|
indie-snob>+!#
Denali @ the fireside (2-11-04)
With pinebender, laguardia, catfish haven |
 Shit happens in the world of indie rock, and it's a damn shame that the forerunners of anything called emo, Denali, should have split. But, at least I can be one of the few to say that they caught one of their last shows. Yeah, yeah, yeah, so we lost one of the few worth fighting for all for "differences", I guess we'll have to deal. To be honest, I went to this show partially for Pinebender. Remember them? The band I bashed? The one who opened for Death Cab? I needed to give them another chance, and if they happened to open for a band who could open for Thursday, Deftones or Rainer Maria (random, yes) and take Murder by Death with them on tour, well, I had to say I was up for that. First to play was Catfish Haven, and while I must admit I was a bit taken aback by the name (any band full of wildly bearded men and the word "catfish" is bound to scare anyone), it fits. Named after the lead singer's childhood trailer park, Catfish Haven reminds me of a smarter My Morning Jacket. Why? partially because I'm able to enjoy it in a fully conscious state. When I listen to My Morning Jacket, there is no doubt I am stunned by the soft, warm voice of lead singer Jim James, but something about the music itself is so disengaging. And, if you've ever been to one of their shows, all the fans are headbanging and the one question I'm left with is: to what? Catfish Haven at least gives something to feel while listening to the music. Bred with very exacting Polyvinyl-style indie rock, Catfish Haven is the perfect way to introduce the southern rock comeback without being derivative. Damn My Morning Jacket fans, don't you know how to pick something exciting? Grade: B+ I was completely confused when Universal recording artist Laguardia came out full with screaming fans (okay, so two screaming women in their 30s standing right next to me). The singer/keyboardist for the band had his hair pulled back looking more like a yoga instructor than a rock frontman, but for all I know, he probably needs that second job as a yoga instructor because there's NO WAY his LA band is going anywhere. I mean, unless you get a lot of these crazy screaming 30 year-old women involved. But Laguardia played standard, run of the mill alternative rock, probably derivative of any band you could name that played the slightly sappy but rock-laden ballads. I can't even think of a reason how they got into this show and why anyone would like. So, I mean, if you like Creed, go check out Laguardia. Grade: D As Pinebender came out, I was terribly excited to give them a second chance. As the music started in soaring crescendos and eerie vocals, I started to wonder why I ever thought they were so terrible. Since I saw them last, I do believe that they've added more vocals or at least reconfigured the band to emphasize the vocals more. While I don't notice the troubling beauty of a band like Mogwai or the disturbing behavior of Hella or Lightning Bolt as I previously mentioned, Pinebender has created a sound all their own, which can be hard to do in the world of sophisticated guitar rock. The Dinosaur Jr. influence the band cites is clearly heard, but the distorted tuned-down guitars seem much more complex and far more satisfying. I take everything I said last time back, Pinebender deserves your full attention and go see them when they're playing around Chicago. Grade: A- After a good forty minutes of sound problems, Denali launched into their first song, a strange blend of trip-hop and Portishead-like vocals and high-energy pop punk. Maura's voice is just so enchanting that it's hard not to fall for Denali; as the sound surrounds you as it did at the Fireside, the band becomes terribly beautiful. Maura switched between the keyboard and guitar, and since the mic had to be switched each time, it took forever, and unfortunately, severely limited the time I had with the band (I had to leave after the first five songs… school night). Nonetheless, it was clear to see what a fantastic band Denali had become. And, even though labeled with the rest of the Jade Tree emo crowd (whose line-up includes Pedro the Lion and Statistics), Denali has developed a unique sound that it is likely we shall never hear again. In the time I was there, I at least got to hear "Hold My Breath", the opening off the sophomore album The Instinct, and one of the more beautiful songs composed by the band. I highly recommend them, and am so sorry for all those who missed out on the opportunity to see them with Cursive during the Plea for Peace tour. Grade: A- Related reviews: |