[READER'S NOTE: Typepad was down yesterday and refuses to upload pics today. I'll add some pics to the post later, but for now you can find 'em on flickr.]
The Gothamist crew did a fine job at pulling together a bill that, speaking as a New Yorker, was unique and worthwhile. Jeff wrote about how the Movable Hype show had strayed from its intended course and goal by using its prestige to pull "bigger" bands (rather than using this clout to shine the light on deserving locals). That's a great statement, and I was glad to see the lineup Jen ended up cementing. We can go to any venue any night of the week to see a buzz import from another city, but quality showcases focusing on the vast pool of talent in our area are few and far between.
My favorite acts on the night were Goes Cube and Takka Takka. For a proper discussion of Goes Cube (and a classic story about how a Stereogum post in '05 funded the recording of their debut album), see my review on the 'Gum. Meanwhile, Takka Takka have a few things going for them that can and should see them as fixtures in the live scene for a bit. There's a distinct possibility of explodability there. I posted a rough cut of the title track to their upcoming LP We Feel Safer At Night a few weeks back. I hadn't heard too many more of the songs, but loved their set. And I was lucky enough to get a hand-made cloth covered copy of their unreleased album. Today is Takka Takka appreciation day over here, so I'll save the rest for a later post on the band.
MP3 Masala: Goes Cube - Song 30
MP3 Masala: Goes Cube - Song 27
MP3 Masala: Takka Takka - We Feel Safer At Night
MP3 Masala: Project Jenny/Project Jan - Chinatown Bus
VI Spotlighters Project Jenny/Project Jan did exactly what I expected them to: be goofy, endearing and musical enough to have their "electro-karaoke" win the partially filled Knit.
And then there was Femme Generation, who seemed really great. Maybe even the best "songwriters" on the night, with tunes that had discernible turns and the requisite indie-phrasing. But in fairness, they were on after Goes Cube, by which time I had already anointed the night as the "Cube coming out party" (and they had already bludgeoned my ears to the point of no repair). But people said their set was great, so believe them. I always believe people.
