Decomposing Trees

I sometimes wonder to myself; what bands will define the music of the 2000s? Though it's a bit of a pretentious indie wanker question, I usually end up going through a list of acts such as the Arcade Fire, the White Stripes, Kanye West and always end up including TV on the Radio.

While they aren’t as well known or popular as the others, without a doubt they will be of those bands you will still be talking about years into the future, when you saw them, what they were like, how they changed everything. They are one of, if not the, most innovative and unique band around at the moment. There is no one you can compare them to and no way you can describe them other than an as amalgamation of so many different styles. The best thing to do is to get someone to listen to their music.

I’ve seen them play once before. I saw them play live was at the Gaelic Club in 2006. It was their first tour to Australia (they were on the bill for Splendour in the Grass) and played to a full house.

I remember that show because I lost my own sense of time watching them play from the upstairs balcony. I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before. They were electrifying, they just grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. After they finished, it turned out that they had only played an hour long set but it didn’t feel like it at all.

The following night I saw Sonic Youth at the Enmore. I’m a huge Sonic Youth fan. I’ve seen them three times since 2004 and drove up from Canberra and back on the same night just to see them last year for their Don’t Look Back show. Yet compared to what I saw the previous night I was underwhelmed. They were good but something was missing compared to the previous night. That’s when you really know that you saw something special.

As such, I was looking forward to seeing them again at the Metro Theatre. After my first listen, I knew Dear Science would be my favourite album of 2008 and this just added to my expectation.

The crowd was packed into the Metro nice and early. It had been a sweltering and humid 40 degrees during the day and was just as balmy inside. During Wolf and Cub’s set I was tempted to get some water but was concerned about keeping my spot as it had a good view of the stage. I was one step up from the floor so I could see the stage above people’s heads. I wasn’t giving that up.

Surprisingly they opened with some older songs, starting off with ‘Young Liars’ before some songs from Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes.

There’s something primal about the sound of their earlier songs. David Sitek’s guitarmanship sounds like a rickety old subway train, chugging along through Williamsburg. The blasts of distortion like the harsh breaking as it hits a station. It just keeps grabbing my attention. That and I love the fact that he has windchimes attached to his guitar.

Their live performance gives a life and energy that you don't find listening to their records. Their albums are good but it isn't the same as watching Tunde strut across the stage full of fire and energy, jumping around, his shirt covered in sweat. It was also interesting to contrast his performance with Kyp Malone’s more withdrawn stage persona.

The sound mix at times wasn’t the best, something I hadn’t experienced at the Metro before. For a few songs during the first half of the set, the instruments overpowered vocals.

Despite this, they pulled off their songs and it was all well received by the crowd. Watching the crowds’ reaction to their songs I had a sneaking suspicion that many people had only heard Dear Science as their reaction was more muted to older tracks.

They finished their set with ‘Satellite’ and disappeared for a few minutes.

Coming back on to a rancorous crowd, they played a few songs off Return to Cookie Mountain before they finished the night off with ‘Staring at the Sun’, the live version blazing and full of energy.

I exited the Metro knowing I saw a fantastic performance but wanting more. Sometimes I wish for a ‘real’ encore at shows, not the obligatory ones that there seems to be. Instead the crowd would be clapping and cheering over the background music that is supposed to usher you out until they come back on. It was one of those shows. Unfortunately it didn’t happen.

I’ll just have to hope that they come back soon.

A Reminder and Oceans Never Listen also reviewed the show

Setlist

Young Liars
The Wrong Way
Dreams
Crying
Golden Age
Wolf Like Me
Dirtywhirl
Stork & Owl
Shout Me Out
Dancing Choose
Red Dress
DLZ
Satellite

Love Dog
Blues From Down Here
Let The Devil In
Staring At The Sun