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| From | "Michael Bennett" <mrhonorama@hotmail.com> |
| Subject | RockFour/Lackloves |
| Date | Fri, 12 Mar 2004 09:18:41 -0600 |
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Wow...I took the morning off so I could sleep in after a night of concert
going, and I couldn't sleep in...(sigh!)
At least I saw a terrific show last night at Schubas. The Lackloves did a
35-40 minute set. They have a new album out in the next few months, and
previewed some tracks from it. If you are a fan of their first two discs,
you will not be disappointed. A couple songs even showed off a more Byrdsy
type jangle than on previous efforts. The third song of their set (Mike
Jarvis told me the title afterwards, but I've already forgot, so I will make
up a title -- "Occam's Razor, Bartman's Failure (Either Way, The Cubs
Lose)") was one of those songs. In addition to this slight sonic
difference, the song was one of the band's most sophisticated compositions
-- it goes to a few different places, without losing any of the typical
Lackloves catchiness. Moreover, the band showed that you can play jangly
pop yet have some muscle -- they sounded great, aided by a crisp sound mix
that made things really punchy. They were on.
They were then followed by lablemates RockFour. And the Israeli quartet
remains one of the best live bands on the planet. Their new album,
NATIONWIDE, is their best English language record yet, balancing their pop
and psych sides perfectly, while showing the ability to absorb new
influences within their distinctive sound. In their hour long performance
(they were second on the bill, so kudos to Schubas to allow for a bit longer
set than an opener would usually get), they ably integrated new material
with old live standbys. Indeed, the confidence in the material showed
early, as they did the first three songs off the new album, albeit in
reverse order.
These songs -- "Next Monroe", "Nationwide" and "Honey" aren't quite as
explosive as some of their fare, but they are all top notch. This benefited
the live set -- they started with a bang (I'm horrible with titles -- the
song about astronauts..."Astronauts", right?), went poppy, built to another
freakout crescendo number, and then did a similar set build up during the
second half of the set, leading to a stupendous version of their original
"Route 66" -- Baruch Ben Izhak just freaked out, buidlig from slow, bluesy
guitar solo until the band went into interstellar overdrive.
The crowd was decent -- they have a bit of an audience in Chicago, evident
by the punters up in front following singer Eli Lulai's every move and the
pocket of Israelis in a corner who chanted some Yiddish phrase that must
have meant 'Encore!', as the band got one more song.
What dazzles about this band? Incredible guitarist? Check. Drummer who is
Keith Moon-like, yet can play with the feel of Ringo Starr when needed. A
compelling passionate frontman (Eli came into the crowd for one song, and
basically gave an acquaintance of mine a brief standing lap dance!). A bass
player who makes sure the song stays on track, and some of the best harmony
vocals on the planet. Add a total commitment to their material -- have they
ever just mailed it in? -- and you have a must-see live band.
A couple friends came out to see them based only on my recommendation and
walked out with newly purchased discs. They were blown away.
I finally got to meet some of the guys, who were super nice -- they were so
gracious regarding the reviews I've written of their albums. It's weird --
it's nice to be appreciated, but my writing a review is nothing compared to
making such great music.
Anyway -- they're in Indy tonight, Milwaukee tomorrow night (w/Los Lackloves
again), they'll play some gigs at SXSW -- catch them if you can.
Mike Bennett
NP: Echo and the Bunnymen -- OCEAN RAIN
Record reviews and more at http://fufkin.com
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