The following is a show review from 9/18. Enjoy!
September 18th marked the first hometown show that local faves, The Lighthouse and The Whaler, were set to play. There was supposedly a national act they were opening for, but I'll never know what band that was; the national act cancelled. Thankfully, the show went on, with the bill being rounded out by two more local acts, Rob Geer and Humble Home.
I've never heard Rob play out. I went to high school with him, I've listened (briefly) to his music...but I had never been at a show he was playing. The Rob I remember from high school was sort of a scene kid. I remember his hair being shaggy, his jeans being too tight, and a guitar being his companion when his skateboard was not. Maybe I remember him wrong. What I heard when he took the stage was the vocal styling of Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump with less tonal integrity and heavier guitars. I didn't think I would be impressed and sadly, I was right.
There was an occasional guitar lick I really liked, but there really wasn't anything interesting that would make me pick up an album. Like I said, it's been done- only better- by a band I listened to in my formative years.
The bassist, however, did do some really beautiful things.
I'll say this: Rob was brazen enough to cover 'Skinny Love' by Bon Iver and I was QUITE impressed with his rendition of it. It had more of an alt-rock feel, which was authentic to what style he probably indentifies with, and his falsetto was gorgeous.
Mad props on that, sir.
Next to take the stage was The Lighthouse and The Whaler. I was excited to see my friends take the stage in their first show since recording at Bear Creek.
Call me a broken record, but what I find most remarkable about this band is their energy. Whether that's Michael dancing it out, Stephen's fancy feet, Mark's signature head bob or Matthew singing from the top of his lungs behind the set- it's always beautiful. It's always sincere. Organic.
This show was no different. Most notably, I'd like to point out their tune, 'The Adriatic'. I really love the group vocals on it, the exposed violins, their harmonies...It's just gorgeous.
The other thing about this band that I can't wrap my mind around is their versatility, the ease in which they navigate around the stage, playing different instruments for each tune. It's just so natural for them.
The lyrics, harmonies that conjure up thoughts of a childhood Sundays spent in church, their humble nature, the flow of energy from one man in the next, the apparent brotherhood... all these things coalesce seamlessly.
It is breath-taking, the juxtaposition of light, carefree music with the weighted solemnity of other songs. So much love for this band.
Closing was Humble Home. As a Cleveland music enthusiast, I'm ashamed to admit I have never heard these guys play a full set. Last time they played with TLATW, I was late. We'll call it fashionably late, as if that excuses it, but still...I think I walked in halfway through the last tune last show.
That said (and apology implied), I am THRILLED to have caught their set this time. This band is mellow and dark in all the ways that TLATW are upbeat and light.
The opening tune was of a parred down beauty- think Bon Iver with a thicker chordal structure, heavier guitars, and the same haunted melodies.
If you haven't heard these dudes, check out 'Wallpaper' or 'Money'.
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