Last week I got to hit up a few shows, but I didn't really get a chance to belt out reviews. It's a busy time of year but I'd feel remiss if I didn't share a few thoughts because there was definitely some joy, and there was unfortunately some serious pain...
I was deeply impressed by Zongo Junction's set last Tuesday at Nietzsche's. I am admittedly biased about the NYC afrobeat scene, which I find very compelling. I reconnected with afrobeat a few years back when the Antibalas Afrobeat Ochestra's horns contributed to TV on the Radio's Dear Science album, and I've come to be very keen on the multi-ethnic afrobeat bands coming out of downstate, and Brooklyn's Zongo Junction represented that scene exceptionally with their powerfully tight horns and mesmeric keyboards. Going into the show, I was intrigued by the Sun Ra influence mentioned on their Facebook page, and I was gratified to see and hear that for Zongo Junction, space is indeed the place. Some people danced to the solid afrobeat rhythms but most, including myself, seemed to experience the set as a result of the heavy psychedelia emanating from the stage, and frankly, it was very refreshing in an organic and non EDM context. For music fans keen to get down and experience something in a more real context, Zongo Junction is a band to check out the next time they visit our area.
The same however cannot be said for Friday's Walk Off The Earth show at the Town Ballroom. That, was bit rough. I did get there in time for I'm Happy When's set and that gave me hope for the night's proceedings as I really enjoyed how the acoustic and vocal harmonies played off of the potent, yet melodic, rhythm section. Plus, their songs and performance were definitely heartfelt and honest. Apparently, I'm Happy When is from Ithaca but have relocated to Buffalo, so I think it might be worth our while to make it worth their's by checking them out. Things started getting iffy however when Street Pharmacy kicked into their 90's ska infused set; I guess they were ok if you're down for that sort of thing, but I'm waiting for the oncoming 90's revival to get to bands like Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, and Pulp. Street Pharmacy's front man ended the set by proclaiming Walk Off The Earth to be the "future of the recording industry," and horribly might be right as the band's been signed to Columbia based on a series of Youtube videos and a live show that's sure to go over like gangbusters in the long term with the kids. For me however, it was alarming to say the least.
I was admittedly put off by the on stage choreography. Now, I'm not against people getting down in unison like the Dap-Kings or Of Montreal's bizarro lucha libre dancers, but what was going on up there was different. It felt like I was watching a musical revue of a tv show about a "fun!" 90's inspired indie band featuring the stars of the show, and for me that was just wrong, especially considering there isn't even a tv show (yet). I guess I'm just not down with the whole YouTube as a vehicle to glory thing. Don't get me wrong, I love YouTube (just as my Facebook friends and Tweeps) especially for checking out music, but as an actual launching pad for stardom, I just don't think so. Oh it works, but that's the problem (ie Beiber, Jepsen, Gotye, Walk Off The Earth). But again, the kids will love it.
The final straw though was their amped up rendition of "Eleanor Rigby" the day before the anniversary of John Lennon's death. For one thing they turned it into a muy cheesy 90's ska jam, which is a crime against Western Civilization, and another, because it's a bloody Paul song. While many in the crowd ate it up, I didn't dig any of in the least, and I instead enjoyed discussing that profound dissatisfaction with Buffalohulk, which redeemed the affair... somewhat. While there was some musicianship on display, I cannot endorse what the cast of Walk Off The Earth did Friday night, and if they are indeed the future of the recording industry... yikes.
