Bands change. It's a hard fact for the music-obsessed fan to accept. We are a selfish-animal, only interested in the version of a band that pleases our mostly arbitrary expectations and strict guidelines.
When a band strays too far from those guidelines, we accuse them of selling out. When that same band stays within those guidelines, we accuse them of lacking creativity and ambition. Simply said, 9 times out of 10, an artist can't win.
There is that rare occurrence however when a band can progress and bring their fan base along for the ride. This requires A) Longevity, B) Desire to progress, and C) Talent to progress. Not many music fans from the late 90's would have guessed it, but in 2010, The RX Bandits perfectly fit this bill.
I am fan of the Bandit's latest release, Mandala. The first five tracks have a spot in the band's classic canon. And it perfectly fits into their new identity: Progressive, alternative rock with melodic pop hooks. The Bandits have replaced their ska roots for a strange version of Frank Zappa playing hard rock. When it was announced that the 3/31 show would feature Mandala from beginning to end, I had my doubts. Not of the band, but of the audience. Would there be cries for earlier works such as Progress and The Resignation? Were people planning on throwing Trombones and Trumpets on stage? Could the chant "Play-a-ska-chord! clap-clap-clapclapclap" be a possibility?
Not only did the Bandit's literally play note for note their newest release (interludes included), the crowd could not have been more excited to witness it. Lead singer Matt Embree informed us this was the 3rd time the band had played the whole album in concert, and the previous outings showed. One of the key factors that led the Bandit's out of third wave ska is their incredible technical prowess. Guitarist/Keyboardist Steve Choi has the responsibility of switching off lead on guitar and keys even in the midst of a single song, and did so without missing a note the entire night. Chris Tsagakis continued his rightful quest to be recognized as the best drummer in modern rock. And when he wasn't leading the crowd in one of his annoying and overused call-and-response chants, Embree played like he always does: With tons of over-the-top energy, pitch-point singing, and guitar chops that would make most lead singers jealous.
Even though I wasn't as familiar with the second half of Mandala, the crowd shocked me in singing along to every word until the end of "Bring Our Children Home". While waiting for the encore, I wondered just how satisfying this experience would be for any veteran band; to put out a new album and perform it for a sold out crowd that already knows every word. The band came out for a three song encore, playing the title track of And the Battle Begun, "Never Slept Soundly" off of The Resignation and the unfortunately overrated single "Only for the Night" from ATBB.
So no "Consequential Apathy". No "VCG III". And no horns. But on a night that featured no tracks from their ska-pop punk classic Progress, the Bandits proved to everyone in attendance that they've done just that.
(I promised myself my first review would end in a horrible pun)
SETLIST:
1. My Lonesome Only Friend
2. It's Only Another Parsec?
3. Hope is a Butterfly, No Net It's Captor
4. Hearts That Hanker For Mistake
5. Mientras La Veo Sonar
6. March of the Caterpillar
7. White Lies
8. Bury it Down Low
9. Breakfast Cat
10. Bled to be Free
11. Bring our Children Home
Encore:
12. And the Battle Begun
13. Never Slept so Soundly
14. Only For the Night
No comments:
Post a Comment