You ever walk into a conversation and somebody says something out of nowhere that doesn't make sense to you, because you came into late to the conversation. Something along the lines of, "So I told him, that's going to cost you $20 extra." Well, that's what it was like walking into the area during Lavender Diamond. Lead singer Becky Stark was talking about, and I kid you not, how we as humans have only been shitting in water for the past 100 years.
Then she continued to explain that funds will be needed to build a fantasy play land that will have an abundant amount of renewable technology. You don't know whether to laugh at the lack of humor or just laugh at Becky for her just being Becky. Some of the crowd members just starting yelling at her to get off the stage. Not nice. Her guitarist was just shaking his head, probably thinking, "Please make this end, they want Matt & Kim."
The Los Angeles outfit just seemed out of place at the festival. When I saw them during CMJ last year, they were better suited to playing small rooms like the old NorthSix or Maxwell's. In front of maybe, three or four thousand people in a parking lot with no shade, their sound just kind of sits there and fails to stir a response. It's a shame because I like them and their debut album, Imagine Our Love, that Matador released. The album best displays their whimsical fantasy pop sound and it cleans up Starks vocals.
Live, she just comes off as a little girl trying out for the singing portion of Little Miss Sunshine. "You Broke My Heart" has all these difficult high notes and she just squeaks through it and does this little baby doll poses. The better known song, "Open Your Heart," came off a little better with it's happy-go-lucky, up-with-people ideology.
Lavender Diamond... I saw them for the first time in Portland when they were touring with the Decemberists. That was a totally disappointing experience. Then they started touring with the New Pornographers (show in Portland last night) and we made a special attempt to avoid having to sit through their show by showing up as late as we thought the NP's would be on so we would miss LD. Unfortunately, there were TWO warm up bands for the New Pornographers, much to our huge disappointment because it meant we'd have to listen through them again... UGH! Becky Stark's vocals were completely amateur - she could barely carry a tune. Her random chatter was inane and as it went on it became incredibly annoying. I could not wait for them to get off the stage! I can't understand what people are thinking when they say that they "like" this band! I agree with the previous post that Becky Stark's vocals sound like a little girl trying out for the school musical - and she doesn't get selected. I'm sure the studio helps clean up the vocals and even them out a LOT. The only thing I can figure is that this girl or this band has a good friend who's carrying them in the record business.
Posted by: ACV | September 17, 2007 at 10:52 AM
I first met Becky Stark on Laura Colella's film set of TAX DAY, a great indie film made in Providence, RI. I ran into BS when I moved to LA. I was fortunate enough to have her sing in my presence a few times and I must state that you are completely wrong about her talent. Maybe you saw her on off nights, maybe the stage was too big... who knows? But her talent is undeniable. Her voice so beautiful, so ethereal... it is unfortunate that you not really experienced what she offers as a performer.
Posted by: johnny cubert White, jr. | May 08, 2008 at 05:16 PM