You may be used to the delayed reviews by now, and I hope you consider reading what follows, considering how late it trails the original date. I understand the pun was unnecessary, but appropriate in context.
I am not delusional about how big of a fan I am of this band, I read an article either in the Buffalo News Gusto or in its insert for teens when they started, out and didn't think much of the band at the time. I didn't even listen to their first two album in full until I heard my current favorite album, Lies for the Liars, nor have I heard any of their records after Vulnerable. Not exactly due to distaste or disinterest, just a little laziness and keeping it on the "Right Time to Listen To List." I didn't even buy tickets until the day of the show; realized that with them appearing in the area twice under a three month period, it is not likely they will return for a long time so I bought them, and I was glad I did.
When I arrived to nothing but noise at the time, I knew it was going to be a night of rollicking rawk and "New York Hip Hop" if I quoted Jason Aalon Butler correctly in his term. At the surface, their sound is quite abrasive and can sound derivative, but has a multitude of styles and textures that may reveal themselves upon multiple listens; its not anything you haven't heard before, but their compositions can be utilized for the adrenaline initiative; their purpose deeper than workout music. I could see the passion as they rocked the stage, could feel it even, and with that adrenaline rushing they appeared, shirtless at times, occasionally all three.in simultaneous fashion. I could see why Bert is a big fan of the band, even though they are not exactly for me.
Another thing that spoke to me was their appreciation for everyone who came to listen, even if they weren't the main reason why. As well as the moment they questioned if anyone in the crowd felt marginalized, and when Butler saw a swarm of hands, he responded with a remark how its a majority now and, as seen on their PSA on their facebook page, it's a safe place to be yourself wherever they're on stage.
I would have to say the second opener was my favorite, even though I don't feel I have much to say. Two bands came to mind, and you might shake your head asking why, I don't know those connections were from the subconsious mind. It's not me to Rush to the punchline, and usually I don't say Yes before I know what I'm agreeing to; that second one I still wonder why. I loved their synchronized vocals in "Amnesia" and every other component of the song and set. One of my favorites would have to be "Imitation."
When it came to the headliners, I had minimal requests. Maybe memories would have made their first song more meaningful to me, but I didn't have much regarding their debut. It was one heck of start and not because it was their first song they wrote, but it set the tone. I was leery after hearing their predecessors in the performance, because I did not believe they could measure up; part of that was due to a rumor of lipsynch. My excitement was the worm that the bird of expectation overpowered, even after listening to its namesake. I guess all it took was a ferocious burst of familiarity that took the disinterest away; the crowd loved them perform the first single from their debut follow-up. These weren't even my favorite songs, yet I enjoyed to what I was listening too; maybe I needed to hear the band enter their more aggressive territory to avoid boredom. "I Caught Fire" caught everybody the crowd singing along, and it was a pleasant rejoinder to my first notion. "Blood on My Hands" was bookended by two newer songs that I did not recognize, but still kept the momentum. "The Taste of Ink" is probably the most recognizable from their debut, in my perception, and a phoenix anthem that transcends all walks of life, even if it doesn't fit the context; it can stir those ebbing embers within the soul, or maybe I am just overrating the song, but hearing it performed and the crowd participating in its performance almost initiated as many endorphins, with a more subtle approach, as it did when the groovy opening strut graced my ears with "Pretty Handsome Awkward," which remains one of my favorites to this day. Listening to some of these songs in a live context elevated them to "favorite" status. Red may be my favorite primary, but I dig "Blue and Yellow" a lot more now.
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