A gift for those smitten by one Kristian Matsson and his two boots. Video is performance of “The Gardener” at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (this way for previously posted goodies from that show); it lives in its original form in this year’s Shallow Grave. Audio is “King of Spain” from that same night, the quality of which is bearable, though they were a few loud talkers around me, talking about absolutely mundane things, as is usually the case.
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After 14 months on the road, Yeasayer’s show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Saturday night was the last of the tour, which is probably why front man Chris Keating smashed his gear after a charged encore performance of “Wait for the Wintertime.” The show was pretty incredible, I enjoyed it far more than the last time I saw them, which was at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in April, with Man Man (and their crazy fans). While thanking all their supporters and appearing relieved to have returned home to Brooklyn, Chris mentioned that it seemed like a good start to the next eight years, “If you know what I mean.”
Video of “2080″ from the show is posted after the jump.
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As it turns out, it was to toss a few new songs at the learned ears of loyal fans that Beirut pulled together a very last-minute show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Along with the buzz that tickets would soon go on sale had come a letter from frontman Zach, saying the band would be canceling European dates set for the summer, feeling a reinvention and a “fresh perspective” was in order. Having heard the few new songs tonight, and seeing that the band is in a pretty top shape, I’m now confident these urgent steps lead to a strengthened Beirut. While previous recordings may have been a commendable homage to the street musicians that sparked a vision in Zach, while in Paris, the new songs indicate inheritance of specks of dust of what remains of the Yugoslavian soul. If these songs truly represent what is to come, we will finally be able to say: not only does Beirut pay tribute to Kocani Orkestar, it plays music of the same league. Even if I’m disappointed by the rest and the new music doesn’t get there yet, it seems to be on its way. Zach also sang a pleasant Portuguese song, which said to me: he’s still got his palms open for what other bits of soul the wind might bring.
Read Part II or view the full post to see what Zach looks like when reading the lyrics of a Portuguese song.
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