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| Thrice and Brand New Tsongas Arena, Lowell, MA - 12/9/07 by Neil Evans |
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| The more shows I go to, the older and more out of touch I feel. While I wasn't the oldest fan in attendance, I might have been the most awkward. I forgot my make-up, my jeans were ten sizes too big and I clearly wasn't trying hard enough. Style aside, I was there for two of the biggest bands on the punk and (scr)emo scene. I had seen Thrice twice before and Brand New just five months prior and each band had a heavy reputation to live up to.
The opening act, mewithoutyou, was horrible. I really could care less about whatever they were whining about. Maybe I just didn't get it or couldn't appreciate their artistry but I won't waste any more time on their forgettable performance. Thrice came on next and absolutely rocked. Free of pretension, Thrice played a diverse set spanning all of their albums with mechanical precision. Dustin's vocals were impeccable and additional harmonies from Ed and Teppei hit all the right notes. Expanding their horizons, Thrice were able to transfer their experimental inclinations that came to the forefront on The Alchemy Index by utilizing samples, keyboards and a slue of effects without deviating from the initial song structures. Most impressively, Thrice were cohesive and sounded massive. While I was skeptical going in that they would focus more on newer material, each song flowed and made sense within the whole set. Thrice have now been officially added to the 'must see live' list.
The Artist in the Ambulance Fire Breather Kill Me Quickly Silhouette Burn the Fleet Digital Sea Atlantic Abolition of Man The Whaler Stare at the Sun New Song from "Earth" Disk The Messenger Deadbolt The Earth Will Shake
As for Brand New, I already knew what to expect but was hoping to be proven wrong. It is no secret that they have completely turned their back on the musical past and the fans that have propelled them and lead singer Jesse Lacey to mythic status amongst the scene. We get it; Jesse is a talented and the envy of everyone but he is quiet, enigmatic and will do only what he and his band mates want to do. They are no longer the pop-punk emo darlings. They are dark, brooding and self-important. They have changed and grown up while their audience remains in Never Never land. Not to say that there is anything wrong with maturing and evolving as a band, but the current band vaguely resembles anything associated with Your Favorite Weapon.
The biggest problem I had with their set was the lack of flow or continuity. Brand New has also recently insisted on including two drum kits, an extra guitarist and multiple rotating people on stage doing a lot of nothing. For some reason they feel the need to be an indie rock jam band and have an on stage competition to see who can make the most random sounds with their effects pedals. It was probably the most masturbatory set I have ever seen. Jesse's vocals, which are normally spot on and filled with variations and inflection, felt forced, strained and at times like he was trying to hard to scream his point across. For once, restraint might have served the singer good. They opened and closed their set with instrumentals that felt completely unnecessary. Brand New is a band (once) based on amazing lyrics and catchy songs, not experimentation. A few crowd favorites were sprinkled in but as soon as the momentum built, they brought it to a screeching halt with another slow and brooding tune. Maybe this is where they are going (or have gone on The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me) and it's completely their decision but it might be time for me to hop off the bandwagon.
Welcome to Bangkok Millstone Archers Jesus Christ Luca Handcuffs The Shower Scene Tatou You Me vs. Maradonna vs. Elvis Sowing Season (Yea) Tommy Gun Not the Sun You Won't Know Degausser Untitled/Instrumental **Set lists may not be 100% accurate and in order but they're darn close! |
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