Concert Review: Grand Archives

Supergenius note: a couple of friends of mine were able to attend this concert, much to my jealous regret. Here is their review.

I have a hard time getting pumped seeing bands perform new music live. When I go to see Counting Crows, I want to see “Mr Jones.” When I go to Grand Archives, I want to see “Torn Blue Foam Couch.” Grand Archives was hesitant to cater to my hopes and expectations. This being a CD release party, they were pretty set on playing stuff from their new album, “Keep In Mind Frankenstein.” It’s definitely a departure from their first, self-titled disc.

Frankenstein is slower, less complex and less upbeat. The Most Serene Republic opened for them and the juxtaposition was almost comical. First six guys and a girl rocking out, then Grand Archives, four guys who looked like they should be rocking instead crouching over ukeleles and so, so chill. It took a song to get used to that, but I quickly got into it and even found a couple songs that stood out to me as candidates for play-on-repeat. The last song from Frankenstein that they played before the encore was a 6+ minute rendition of Willoughby (which only runs two and a half minutes on the CD) was easily my favorite. It’s a moody, driving song with great vocal and guitar melodies. I imagine other songs from Frankenstein will take a few listens to stick.

Where the show really kicked in for me was when they played” Sleepdriving” off their first album. It sounded even better when played in contrast with the slower new songs. Hearing it, and the other songs I’ve pumped through headphones so many times, being performed live was great. In addition to “Sleepdriving” they did finally play “Torn Blue Foam Couch” and a couple others from the first disc. By 12:30 when the show ended I was content having heard few old favorites as well as getting a taste of the songs I’ll be listening to over the next few months as I listen to Keep In Mind Frankenstein.

PS. To the guy heckling for the entire show from the balcony: jerk.