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indie-snob>+!#
Engine down @ the fireside (2-29-04)
With statistics, the jealous sound |
 Do you ever pretend to be in the know with the Saddle Creek scene? Like: "yeah, so last night I was at Conor's house and then he and Joe [Knapp, of Son, Ambulance] started making out and then Gretta [Cohn of Cursive] got all upset so she went to make out with Tim [Kasher of Cursive], but he was making out with Orenda [Fink of Azure Ray"? Okay, so I don't either. But it did come to mind as my friend and I analyzed a picture of Conor smoking backstage with Maria Taylor and Jiha Lee. Conor shared a cigarette with Maria as Jiha sat smoking her own, eyeing them jealously. And it came to mind: what if the Saddle Creek scene is a big scary group of kids who all have crushes on each other? What does this have to do with the Engine Down show? Not all that much, except that as my friend and I decided we would pretend to be from Omaha for tonight (cos GODDAMN, how many times do you run into someone from a show these days who says they're from Omaha, because I do like every day). Then, all of a sudden, who should appear from out of nowhere? Jiha Lee! Yeah, forget that I see her everywhere I go these days (all the shows, all the record stores, all the cafes, she's always there), it was more frightening that the one night we should choose to pull such a ridiculous stunt, it should be spoiled by someone actually connected to the Saddle Creek scene. Statistics, as you may know, features Denver Dalley of the now-defunct Desaparecidos. Luckily, though, Denver does not try to recreate his Desaparecidos-related fame by mimicking the politic driven rock who, for some reason, relates themselves to both Weezer and Dinosaur Jr. (Thank you Saddle Creek website.) It is, however, just as melodic, but far heavier on the synths. Statistics' debut EP was a jaunt through the more serene, but at times, quite intense, world of indie rock. Leave Your Name, Statistics' full-length, begins with echoes and quiet guitars before building into something triumphant and melancholic. I think the band starts somewhere where their Jade Tree partners Pedro the Lion left off. During the live show, I found myself surprised at how much energy the band took on. Denver shouted into a megaphone to distort his vocals as he played on his very tiny Korg. I really like Statistics, and seeing them live made me feel like I was listening to something real rather than a side-project from a Saddle Creek staple. Grade: A-  Statistics I used to think that I liked the Jealous Sound. Somehow, they managed to break the indie-blindness that a magazine like Spin has, who included their last album as #40 of its 40 best albums of 2003. Surprising? Yes. What's more surprising is that seeing this show made me realize they don't even deserve it. Sure, the Jealous Sound isn't on Vagrant of Drive-Thru, but it's emo all the same. Dressed all in matching Levi's, Freevi's, as I heard Jiha coin earlier in the evening (they get them free from things like CMJ), the Jealous Sound looked more ridiculous rather than respectable. And when they started playing, all I could think was: GODDAMN THEY'RE EMO. And yeah, they are. It's not that I have a problem with that in theory, but my problem lies in that emo has all begun to sound the same. A few bands do something different, but the vast majority is the same crap over and over. Maybe what some find comfort in for most emo bands are attractive band members. But unless you want a fat bald man, the Jealous Sound doesn't quite fit. At least make yourselves look ridiculous on stage by twirling like Spitalfield does. Then I can laugh at you without feeling sorry for you. Grade: D+ Did you know Engine Down was hardcore? Because I didn't, but apparently the kids with electrical tape X's behind me did as they thrashed around. I originally found out about Engine Down when I saw a band called Zetamale open for the Like Young and Troubled Hubble about two and a half years ago. Since then, Zetamale, who featured the lead singer and other members from Engine Down, broke up. Then, I saw Denali, who featured different members of Engine Down. So, I had seen the band, just not performing as themselves. When I listen to Engine Down, now, I hear the different influences of all of these other projects. Zetamale was quiet, composed, and beautiful while Denali, just as beautiful, was at times a bit troubling. What Engine Down does differently is that the show is energetic. A lot of times I don't realize when listening to something that if this were blasted in a big room with a lot of people, I may react differently. While I may have gotten a bit annoyed with the hardcore kids "dancing" behind me, I was just as impressed by Engine Down. It isn't hardcore at all, but it does carry a certain feeling of immediacy with it; it's melodic and powerful. Their most recent tour with Rainer Maria went quite well. A much better performance. Maybe I'll have a review for that soon... as soon as I get out of February and into July. Grade: B- Related Reviews: ******I'm currently working on a beautiful redesign for the site. As far as I know, I'm still keeping it on Diaryland, but there is some chance I may be moving it. But I doubt it. If someone wants to buy me www.indie-snob.com I'll love you forever.*******
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