We had a solid first day of CMJ goodness yesterday. First we caught the Stereogum/Believer Opening Night at the Studio at Webster Hall. Then we headed down to Cake Shop and wrapped up the night with more rock at the Subbacultcha/Viva Radio/Pukekos showcase.
First up at the Stereogum show was Cameron Mesirow's Glasser. Mesirow's voice is the center of her songs, but the accompaniment perfectly compliments those vocals. She swayed and stalked around the stage in a red outfit with some sort of black knit sash draped over her shoulder. Mesirow's singing has a Siren-like quality, and we definitely look forward to hearing more from her.
Up next was recent DFA Records signee Free Energy. The band seems quite an anomaly for the dance-centric label, but we can see the attraction. Free Energy play "dude rock" in the best possible sense. It's nothing terribly edgy or innovative, but their set showed that they are clearly having tons of fun with their no-frills, hook-laden rock in roll. It's not the kind of music that we'd be inclined to rave about, but they laid down a fun, solid set.
Following Free Energy, The Golden Filter took the stage and reeled through a selection of their dance tunes, rounding things out with terrific single "Solid Gold." Singer Penelope (who's last name we can't track down) displayed some impressive dance moves, and the other two members provided booming percussion embellishments to fill out the sequenced parts of the group's songs. Towards the end of the set, their drumming built into a massive rhythmic onslaught.
Cold Cave rounded out the Stereogum show, and we found them to be louder, noisier and more energetic than when we caught them opening for Faust a few weeks ago. We enjoyed their set, which included Love Comes Close tunes like "The Laurels of Erotomania," "The Trees Grew Emotions and Died," and "I.C.D.K.," among others.
After Cold Cave finished, we hurried down to Cake Shop and made it in time to catch the entire set by Amsterdam duo zZz. Daan Schinkel wailed on organ and synths while drummer Björn Ottenheim pounded the skins and sang. The group's dynamics seemed to be constantly morphing, ranging from punk pummeling to pop hooks to delay-ridden prog-psych freakouts. Towards the end of the set, Ottenheim switched on some strange, noisy drum machine, Schinkel hopped on top of his organ, and a blissful noise interlude ensued. Count us impressed.
The night ended with Dalston, UK's Male Bonding, who whipped through a treble-y, unrelenting mix of garage rock and post-punk. Drummer Robin Christian Silas was unstoppable, so much so that in the middle of the band's set a girl behind us leaned over and shouted in our ear, "This drummer is unbelievable!" She was right; Silas provided Male Bonding with an amazingly tight and propulsive platform its noisy tunes.
Naturally worn out after taking in so much music in just one evening, we headed back home and are now gearing up for another night of CMJ. Check back soon for more coverage!
