Sometimes, it's good to see a band again with a lengthy space of time between. Britain's Mystery Jets returned to the U.S. after a long absence. The last time I saw them was in March 2006 when they we're a,little under-the-radar. I'll always remember that gig with Noisettes because it was a small crowd, but half of them were well-known musicians (members of Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, TV on the Radio).
Tonight's show was a fantastic display of various facets of Mystery Jets. Their latest material -- and when I say material I mean music and clothing fabric -- is a little more trendy and synthy. Playing it side by side with their early songs showed me that the albums are no that far off the musical spectrum.
The setlist:
- Hideaway
- Half In Love With Elizabeth
- The Boy Who Ran Away
- Young Love
- Lady Grey
- Flakes
- Hand Me Down
- First to Know
- Alas Agnes
- Two Doors Down
- Behind the Bunhouse
- Encore: You Can't Fool Me Dennis
- Veiled In Grey
In the three years since their last appearance, they've released two albums, with their debut (Zootime/Making Dens) getting the only proper U.S. release. Last year's Twenty-One had one of my favorite tracks of the year, "Young Love," a cutesy ditty with Laura Marling providing vocal assistance. It's one of those songs that you put on a mixtape for your friends who not too much into music and they'll love it.
As you tell by the glittery smocks, the band embraced a more electronic sound for a few track from their last album. A song like "Two Doors Down" is a good melding of what they're known for, harmonic, jangly pop music and a their new sound, a hint of day-glo 80s synth pop. They started the show off with the dance floor anthem, Hideaway, that begins with blaring sirens.
After seeing the new tracks live, I'm able to embraced the variations they've introduced in Twenty-One. The electronics are not that far off the deep-end. What's at their core are boyishly handsome harmonies with some rambunctious, kitchen-sink musicianship. Although they've stepped away from the "Zootime" eccentricities, I think it's safe to say they know what they are doing.
What's interesting to me their live show is that they play a structured show with no improvs or wacky interludes, but at the same time they look and play relaxed. It's because some of their songs have a breezy quality. Their first well-know song, The Boy Who Ran Away, has driving percussion, but the vocals have a happy whimsy.
The other aspect of Mystery Jets to point out is that they are ia group of acts from the U.K. who are THAT popular. Their not in the same league as your Franz Ferdinands, Kaiser Chiefs or Razorlights. They play rooms not much larger rooms than Bowery. Those who appreciate music know that the band won't disappoint. I consider The Rakes, Young Knives and The Guillemots in the same class, not too popular, but not on the fridge.
They might be back again this year, pending a release of a third album -- this time with Rough Trade.
Local act The Dig took the opening slot duties. For some reason, I have a knee-jerk reaction to new NYC rock bands. I think being inundated with 4-5 new bands a week claiming to be the next Strokes or MGMT makes me a little weary. In comes The Dig. They introduced themselves to me last year, and I liked one song that I played it on my old show. Fast forward to today, and I couldn't recall what they sounded like. I was thinking they were more of a garage rock sound.
Well, let me just tell you that I suck ... sometimes. These guys threw down. They have a more, mid-70s, Laurel Canyon rock sound. It's not too southern rock, and not too glam rock. More importantly, they don't come off as art rock, scenesters. No matter how categorize the music, these guys play hard. At one point, the bassists in the vintage Jaws shirt just stomps his feet on the stage to beat while his broken bass string just whips around. The whole group rocked hard together. Their songs are not straight forward but they like to change up tempos and throw you for a loop with bursts energy.
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