The lioness roars again. Ritzy, Rhydian and Matt, the powerhouse trio that is The Joy Formidable can not be stopped, you can only hope to contain them. They are my favorite type of live band -- there's one way they play, hard and out of control. Thus, their gig tonight at Littlefield left everybody looking like that guy in the old Memorex commercial, with their hair blown out from the back of the head.
Setlist:
- The Greatest Light Is the Greatest Shade
- I Don't Want to See You Like This
- This Ladder Is Ours
- Cradle
- Ostrich
- A Heavy Abacus
- Cholla
- Austere
- Maw Maw
- Whirring
As you can see, they trotted out some new material from their next album Wolf's Law. It's slatted for a late January release. The experience of touring with Foo Fighters rubbed off on them with the song Maw Maw. It's gots these deep, heavy hard rock riffs that make you innards vibrate inside your rib cage. "This Ladder Is Ours" is a little more straight forward alt-rock song, but no less powerful. I've come to expect anything this band will do now and and forever will be mind-blowing, over-the-top rocking and heart-stopping.
It's not often that I get to gloat about being right about bands that I think will becoming artistically successful and popular. When I do, the snobbery comes out in full force. So yes, I was correct back in 2008 when I first wrote about them. Then when I first saw them at Hop Farm 2009 in UK, I knew they were going to be a force of nature. Since I last saw them at Mercury Lounge in 2010, they released their major label debut album and toured the U.S. as openers and a big headliners. As much as I love them, I wasn't going to see them at Terminal 5. So when they were doing a couple of small club dates in NYC, I had to get in on the action.
The live shows is where I think the band thrives. I'm lucky enough to only see them on small stages, where I can see Ritzy stare down the crowd like she's possessed by the rock gods. Thinking back to the times I has seen them before, they might be better performers now, then when I previous seen them. And I was pretty blown away the previous three times I saw them. They still knock around on stage, treat their guitars, drums and bass like their bitch and play loud as hell. Ritzy voices has become stronger, which is the main difference. It's matured and has more depth.What I also love about seeing the band live, the various facial expressions of Ritzy.
You Won't might be the only East Coast band who doesn't sound like Vampire Weekend or Passion Pit. Yippee! Originality in indie rock is possible! I kid, good showing from the Massachusetts duo of Josh Arnoudse and Raky Sastri. I first heard the band's music when it was used in a indie movie trailer -- the name escapes me. In any event, they play sort of a charming 70s power-pop throwback. Simple, punchy, likable.
If he treats you to a South Beach tip, you'll earn every penny. Don't date dumb guys; they're much too much work. I know there's a smart guy out there that'll treat you to drniks dinner South Beach, and it'll actually be fun! Crossing my fingers for you, girlie!eleanore The Spinsterlicious Life
Posted by: Musyoka | December 04, 2012 at 01:22 AM