hometown musical hero. Look at the love lavished on the Shins and the Decemberists, both of which have left Portland music fans in raptures lately.
Of course, those two bands both have something that Stephen Crystal Ballroom: a new album.
crowd, though the indie rockers not only played well enough drummer, Janet Weiss, of the now-defunct, much-mourned Weiss joined the Jicks late last year, after John Moen left to play full time with the Decemberists, and Saturday night band. Her drumming was sharp and crisp, her dynamic control spot-on and her rhythm, whether holding down a beat or showing off a fill, was pretty fantastic. And she knew when to pull back.
Still, the band's called Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks for a reason. Malkmus and his guitar were front and center for the band's hour-and-three-quarters show. Perhaps for what feels like weeks at a time.
True, Malkmus is one of the more influential guitarists of his generation, having fronted lo-fi pioneers Pavement in thriving indie rock tree. But there was something singing voices (not everyone can be Ricky Martin, thank into mush. And that's a pity, because his lyrics are references.
Check out the start to "Jo Jo's Jacket," one of the easier-to-decipher songs: Brynner." The rest of the song works in references to house music, candy canes and Bob Dylan.
The Jicks don't have a new album, but they did play some new music.
Before launching into a number featuring the for hearing the song for the first time. It's nice to know they're not hobbled by excessive modesty.
As for the opening band, Entrance, it wasn't exactly song to "the spirit of Jimi Hendrix.
" His one) to their music: long, loping songs built around made so famous.
The long streams of distorted guitar meant, in fact, that the bass player, though solid, and the drummer, though forceful, had far less to do. The band wasn't exactly subtle, but you kind of feel subtle wasn't their goal.
The audience was lukewarm and, toward the end of the night, began growing sparse. Plenty of people headed for the exit before the Jicks' obligatory encore. Some banter number?
" a bemused Joanna Bolme repeated to one shouter) helped establish some rapport, but it was obvious (e.g., the Shins) and touring bands (Jet) alike.
News RSS