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90 Day Men turned out song after song with hypnotic falsetto vocals,
fantastically adept keyboards, agile bass, wailing guitars, and crisp,
syncopated drums. But competent musicians as they were, the natives
(i.e. - the audience) quickly became restless as first half of the August
3 set at Schubas' Summer On Southport verged on monotony.
These transplants from St. Louis, now based in
Chicago, definitely were confronted with an uphill climb.
Though no one screamed Free Bird!
for this one (perhaps the guy who usually does that had fallen asleep), it
began to seem like a downward spiral until about the fifth tune, when the
band finally put the vocals and melody right up front after Andy
Lansagan's innovative and rollicking keyboard intro.
In fact, Lansagan as its newest member has been a
key influence in the direction of this band, with major contributions to
songwriting and song construction, and it seemed like it was up to him to
move the set along. He rose to the occasion well, but it was tough
for me because I had spent the first half of the set trying to find
something I could hold on to.
But do not fear, as the pace picked up, and
gratefully so, with several new songs previewed from the band's upcoming
late September release, Too Late or Too Dead (a further
album release, Panda Park, is planned for early 2004).
This is a fascinating ensemble in search of a live identity, |
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and though really not that far off base, it
sometimes seems as if they are a thousand miles away. Here's hoping
that the live performances tighten up, as these are innovative musicians
working in innovative territory --- it is now just a matter of holding an
audience's attention.
Keep an eye on these guys, and expect good - even
great - things to come!
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