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indie-snob>+!#
White stripes @ the aragon (7-1&2-03)
With whirlwind heat |
july 1 I must admit that I am luckier than most, since this was my second time seeing the Stripes live. It seems, though, the number of people willing to see the White Stripes has increased dramatically from that year ago. The sudden burst of fame the Stripes recieved after their MTV Movie Awards appearance and *ahem* moderate radio airplay has seem to outgrow them, like a teenage boy with abnormally long arms. Nonetheless, the Stripes played as engaging as show as ever. The first band to be signed to Jack White's label, Third Man Records, the Whirlwind Heat, opened things up tonight. Their frantic blend of bass lines, fast drums and insane, seemingly unmethodical Moog synthesizer really impressed me live. While the lyrics and vocals may leave something to be desired at times (like a melody), the band makes up for any short-comings in their intense performance. I cannot, say, however, that seeing them open for the White Stripes did a lot for me, though. In such a large venue, the intensity is very much lost, making it sound like just noise when you're so unable to get into it. A perfect band to see in a 200-person venue, a not-so-perfect band to see in a place that is more capable of holding 4500 people. Jack and Meg came out... looking... Sexy. Indeed, sexy. Jack left little to the imagination in his two-toned black and red pants (the colors split down the middle) which seemed unusually tight. (In fact, it was very easy to sort out a clear outline of the man's genital's.) His red t-shirt was in that ripped and sewn back together look... which certainly began to show a new side to the Stripes. I was happy to hear, though, that this more pop-starred image had not reflected into the music. Starting off with "Black Math," one of my more favorite, older-sounding Stripes songs off the new record, they already began making a strong impression with me. What I love about the White Stripes live is that everything is new. Jack changes around the tempos, the pauses, and even the key at times, of course switching octaves in mid-sentence. The set was not so heavy off Elephant, though (and thankfully), but rather off the Stripes' first two albums. Highlights of the show included the awful-on-the-album-but-always-great-live "I Think I Smell a Rat," Meg's new classic "Cold Cold Night," the ever-so-cute "We Are Going to be Friends," and my De Stijl favorites "You're Pretty Good Looking (for a Girl)," "Hello Operator" and "Apple Blossom." The last half of the set transformed into a medley of their earlier, grittier stuff, even playing "Astro," a song off their debut that I both love and hate. Interestingly, they played "Mr. Cellophane" from Chicago and their beautiful b-side, "Jolene." All in all, it was a very great show. Songs that have previously seemed worn-out ("Seven Nation Army," "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," and "Hotel Yorba") took new shape and refreshed themselves. They played for over an hour and a half. july 2 Whirlwind Heat played a slightly different set tonight, seeming more chaotic and even less melodic. They said they played a song by Pearl Jam, but it must have been one I've never heard (or noise-ified beyond recognition). I think last night was better for them, they at least seemed to have more energy, or perhaps I was just being more receptive. They also didn't include a crazy finale, where all the members play the drums and collapse on the floor. The White Stripes were once again, great... but less so. Their set was heavier off the pianos tonight, which was good and bad. While I love the fresh sound of synthesizers in anything, I also prefer the Stripes' grittier, more blues-driven work. Seemed like a lot of stuff was off White Blood Cells and Elephant and the more fragile, delicate Stripes numbers from previous albums. Highlights tonight were the b-side "Candy Cane Children," a cover of Bob Dylan's "Love Sick" (it was moi bueno), and a couple spoken-word numbers Jack did. They sounded quite lovely. A very much different set though, which, while appreciated, didn't measure up to the caliber of last night's performance. Still. The White Stripes are an amazing live act-- really fresh and really original. Go see them as soon as you can, I'd suggest. |