Broken Social Scene played a marathon 20 song set last night to close their sold out, three night run at Webster Hall. The Canadian collective at times offered focused and well realized pop, and at others it indulged its tendency to meander both musically and in its banter. The evening had its moments and was certainly a worth while show, but something about it left me underwhelmed. I usually place blame on Webster's terrible sound, but a word to the wise: the acoustics in the balcony are consistently better than they are on the floor. Hmm...there goes my secret, and with it my easy explanation for the evening's shortcomings.
The night's strongest moments came when effortlessly charismatic Emily Haines (also of Metric) either joined Kevin Drew on vocals (as in "Almost Crimes") or took lead duties upon herself, as in the moving "Anthems for a 17 Year Old Girl." This song's sensual, effect laden vocal line and elegant crescendo provided the show's emotional climax. Its taut arrangement and realization was not the norm, however, and it served as an example of how unquestionably glorious this band's performance could be with consistently exercised restraint.
Lead vocalist Kevin Drew's ability as a frontman was clear, approaching the performance with workman-like dedication to remaining entertaining and appealing. His voice never failed to cut through the cacophony emitted by his sprawling backing band, a feat in and of itself. Songs like "Ibi Dreams of Pavement," one of the evening's most engaging, were best suited to Drew's somewhat inebriated state and general penchant to veer off key in service of a sort of reckless, Malkmus like vibe and emotion. "Lover's Spit," another predictably moving set highlight, saw Kevin move into Bono mode, walking out to stage's edge, pumping a raised first and emphatically miming his lyrics while offering melodic embellishments and grace notes to the already passionate melody.
Click "Continue reading" for more review, more pics and a stab at the setlist...
These memorable moments, while in no short supply, were matched in number by Drew's relaxed and digressive soliloquies. Though these were at times amusing (as when he spoke on America's obsession with sequels, citing Bambi II and the White House as clever examples), at others they served to undermine the otherwise subtle and desperate emotion of stand-out tracks like "Hotel" and "Swimmers." However, this is likely a vain attempt to answer a question I've been struggling with: just what is it about this night that I felt fell short?
The band was in high spirits the entire evening, nearly contagious in its excitement and joy to be performing in a city where it is so well appreciated. A group this numerous, complete with piercing horns and varied percussion, can only relax and smile on stage if it has a strong base: fortunately, Broken Social Scene is able to rely on the foundational support of Justin Peroff, Kevin Drew's "favorite drummer in the universe." Peroff's manipulation of his clear colored drum kit was an expected display of superbly tight, aggressive and smart stick wielding. Whether he was driving songs with solid back beats in odd times ("Shoreline") or providing nuance and color in cymbal rolls and crashes ("Major Label Debut"), Peroff was a reliable source of proficiency and provided direction to the wanderings of the collective's indulgences.
As the night drew to a close, the visibly grateful Drew jumped off stage and waded at least 30 people deep, giving at least that many sincere and appreciative embraces. What could have been another awkward moment actually proved to be one of the evening's more touching. Click on the picture to enlarge-the shadowy eye of the tornado of people toward the top of the frame is Mr. Drew himself. Around this time Kevin sang an acapella version of "Let it Die" by the absent Feist, another instance of his clear ability to connect with his audience.
Ill advised guitar solos and tendencies toward jam-music aside, Broken Social Scene is possessed of a creative cadre of musicians who, by and large, succeed in presenting their varied ideas and impressive repertoire in a live setting. It's difficult in today's music climate to tell a band to be less relaxed on stage, so I won't. Instead, I'll say: "Who cares what I think, they make great music, have a great time doing it and write gorgeous material." A fan will not be disappointed. I just don't know if she'll be blown away.
More on the show at Heartonastick and Brooklyn Vegan.
(Nearly Complete) Setlist:
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Shoreline (7/4)
Fire Eyed Boy
KC Accidental
Stars and Sons
Major Label Debut
Handjobs for the Holidays
Late '90's Bedroom Rock for the Missionaries
Cause=Time
Ibi
Almost Crimes
Major Label Debut (reprise)
Anthems for a 17 Year Old Girl
Swimmers
Hotel
Bandwitch
Backyards
Lover's Spit
All My Friends
It's All Going to Break
Drew fixing his back...
Bono? Is that you?
American Analog Set's Andrew Kenny? Is that you? (tall in blue)
great review. and judging from the pics, my prediction as to the make-up of the crowd was WAY off.
Posted by: nighthawk | January 30, 2006 at 10:50 AM
Way, way off hawk.
By the by, I still love BSS and they should definitely be seen live.
Posted by: Village Indian | January 30, 2006 at 11:29 AM
Seeing this show as a fan was a VERY different experience. It was by far one of the best shows I've ever seen. The sheer power of all those souls on stage blew me away. Perfection is the goal here. In fact, the messier the better.
Posted by: mjrc | January 31, 2006 at 01:34 PM
Ooops--perfection is NOT the goal!
Posted by: mjrc | January 31, 2006 at 01:35 PM
Ha-yeah, I figured that's what you meant mjrc. Thanks for the comment and the perspective.
I know that many enjoyed it as is, and I consider myself a fan of their music (though not a fan club-card carrying member, if you follow). I think a lot of what they did worked, I suppose I felt that their indulgences were a bit more "hit or miss" that night than the solid "hit" they are on their records.
No one is doing what they do as they do it, and it really was a great show by an incredible and creative band. I mean that. I just wanted a little more. Or, err...a little less. ;-)
Posted by: Village Indian | January 31, 2006 at 01:46 PM
that is andrew kenny indeed. kevin drew took him along for the tour.
Posted by: justin | October 29, 2007 at 12:10 AM