Photo of the Day: November 27, 2009
Morning Roundup: Black Friday Edition
Car Pushed Into Anacostia River By Train
Devendra Banhart @ 9:30 Club
Two years ago, Travis Morrison tipped us off to the wonder that is the Dirty Projectors, telling us they saved his relationship with rock 'n' roll after he saw them play at the Black Cat. After last night, we know why. Frontman Dave Longstreth has assembled an unbelievably talented band, including three woman whose ability to harmonize a) with him, and b) with each other in peculiar keys is truly a work of fate. Or perhaps, the best Craigslist posting of all time. It's experimental music that's fueled by aerobatic vocals and precision from all parties involved. Taking influences from rock, pop, hip hop, world music and who knows where else, the Dirty Projectors are offering some of the most unique, inspiring and downright amazing music available right now. The band's lush, spastic, dense music can be polarizing -- people tend to either fall immediately, madly in love with what they hear, or take an immediate and aggressive dislike. Which makes us sad -- the same way we feel for the people that don't have the cilantro gene. We wish you could hear what we're hearing, because if you could you'd be so very, very satisfied.
The set's standout was the lead single off their new album, Bitte Orca, a song called "Stillness is the Move." It was difficult at first to Amber Coffman when she took over the lead vocals for her tour de force performance, but after a few adjustments in the sound booth, she captured the rapt attention of everyone in the 9:30 Club. Longstreth handed over the mic on this track for its entirety, letting the remarkable vocal talents of his female counterparts soar around the room. For my money, Bitte Orca (just officially released today) is the band's best offering to date -- and it's certainly their most accessible. If you're feeling uninspired by new music lately, you should pick up a copy tonight, as this incredible double bill takes the stage one more time for fans in the District.
After experiencing such thorough mind blowing at the hands of the Dirty Projectors, the seemingly endless wait between bands gave us a chance to regain some composure -- and the club a chance to pack to its absolute limits. It was hot in there, folks. If you're going to tonight's show, dress lightly. All discomfort-induced distraction faded away, though, when Tunde Adebimpe, David Andrew Sitek, Kyp Malone and co. took the stage. If there's one thing that can be said about TV on the Radio without question, it's that they do not mess around. Though six people isn't exactly a small lineup, it's still an astonishing means to the layered, tight, intricate, overwhelming wall of sound that is their end. Their set was a non-stop tour of the best of their most recent offerings, with a heavy focus on material from last year's brilliant Dear Science. Where Tunde Adebimpe can't stand still and dances out every kinetic note he utters, Kyp Malone is the reserved pillar, letting his haunting vocal support and absolute guitar assault do the moving for him.
TV on the Radio are the indie rock darlings they are because of their masterful balance of genres, their precise musicality and their ability to write perfectly paced songs. All of that gives a listener more than they usually expect from an album, and in concert it gains new levels of aptitude. No precision is forfeited for the sake of immediacy. But visceral, energetic showmanship is added -- making last night's impeccable two-band lineup the best show we've seen in recent memory. Both bands are made up of musicians with incredible skills and live aptitude. Though tonight's show is sold out, there were plenty of people selling extra tickets curbside last night (under the club's watchful eyes, ensuring that nobody was scamming for more than face value), so we strongly urge you to take your chances. The show will be well worth it if you manage to finagle your way inside the 9:30 tonight.
7:30 p.m. doors. Dirty Projectors on at 8:15, TVOTR on at 9:30
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that show was/is well worth it. Amazing.
Agreed. I felt like the crowd wasn't nearly into it enough though, but I think it's just because I was standing near the bar, plus I was just at the Hold Steady show the night before and everyone there was going absolutely nuts.
The Dirty Projectors were so good that I bought their new album right after they finished their set.