Making their New York debut tonight was Chicago/Minneapolis electro pop outfit ON AND ON. These cats are slick with their heartfelt, beat-laden and sparkly tunes. Call me impressed. Going in, I knew I would like dig them after listening to their debut album, Give In.
One of my guidelines for judging debut albums is that you don't need to reinvent the wheel, but you better come out of the gate in bold style either with bravado or grace. They got both of those things covered. The show starts with the brash and uplifting The Hunter with the big booming electronics, heavy drums, shouts and funky vocals. And speaking of funky, they are not afraid to get groovey and deep during their set sometimes like on "Bad Mythology," which is a pretty bad ass song. Where they thrive are those full, driving songs like "Panic" where they sprinkle the electronics over a cool soundscape.
They are just an easy to like live band. I'm usually nick picky guy, but they played for 35 minutes and it went by like nothing. Every song was well played and had a perfect energy. They ended with "Ghosts" which is just a stand out song for it's wide-open, adventerous feeling.
After their Glasslands shows, they go to Europe to play some shows with Lord Huron and Esben & The Witch. Must be nice.
Local band Field Mouse opened with their brand of dream pop. They were decent ... kind of easygoing daydreaming. Or, it's music you listen to while your floating through a city at night.
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