I was fully
expecting for the evening to start and end with Shearwater,
but to my surprise at 9pm another local known as Follow That
Bird took the stage.
Personally, I couldn't help but think that the trio's sound,
which is essentially very raw indie rock with some pop
sensibilities, seemed like an odd choice to get people ready
for an orchestra-backed Shearwater, but they're a good act
and I certainly wasn't upset at the opportunity to see them
again.
On the flip side, I will say that I think the young ladies
need to put a little more energy into their set and, as my a
good friend of mine said, become slightly more dynamic.
As of now, much of their appeal is solely due to their
fantastic drummer, but all of the other necessary parts to
be really good are there; the three of them just haven't
figured out how to showcase them all at once yet.
Watch out for when they do, though, as it will instantly
make them one of Austin's better acts. I give you my
word.
I don't have a song to share with you (they're currently
recording), but the trio does have a few demos up on their
Myspace if you really want to get a taste of their sound.
The most
beautiful show that I've ever had the pleasure of attending
was Joanna Newsom at the Orange Show in Houston. On
that overly cold night she came out by herself and did a few
songs from the Milk-Eyed Mender and then proceeded to
bring out a full backing cast to do all of Y's.
It was sensational and something that I thought would never
be matched.
Well, so much for that.
Last night Jonathan Meiburg hauled quite a few talented
musicians onto the stage at the Parish and put on an amazing
double set that featured all of the new album, Rook,
and selected cuts from Shearwater's back catalog. It
too was sensational.
Let's talk the first set, which featured Rook.
I spent a lot of time this week pouring over the album and
wondering if the elaborate setup was going to make it more
beautiful and encompassing or cluttered and overdramatic.
Fortunately, it was the former. I was honestly taken
aback at how alive and lush every song played out behind
Meiburg's impassioned vocals. Better yet, the
musicians onstage seemed to feel the same way that I did.
I constantly noticed all of them intently looking around at
each other and watching the various sounds come together in
the swirling fashion that they did. And the crowd?
Well, judging by the fact that I could have heard a pin drop
I'm going to say that they were mesmerized as well. I,
and anyone else who was in that room, will never hear those
songs the same way again.
As for the second set of the night, it was different and
good. Meiburg went with a lineup that most are use to
seeing and they did about 35-40 minutes (including a
one-song encore) of music that leaned more towards the
bombastic side of things. I thought it was a great
move that not only allowed the crowd to breathe, but also
left them eager to run home to slap one of those special
editions of Palo Santo on the record player.
Or, at least that's what it left me wanting to do.
As far as I know Shearwater has no more of these
performances planned, so I can't just recommend that you
attend one as soon as possible or something. However,
I will say that you have to get the new album when
it's released new week. You won't regret it.
:Shearwater
- Rooks:
- John Laird -
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