I got to the Knitting Factory in time to catch Dance Disaster Movement. Two guys, all in white, one on drums and the other on keyboards/synth. The music is definitely dance and the lead man--keyboardist never let the crowd forget it. definitely not my type of music but they did keep my attention. All loops are done live on stage--nothing is canned. Good beats, good loops, good drumming made it OK. Others seemed to like it much more.
PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES: I went in liking this band but not crazy about them. I left liking them very, very much and looking forward to seeing them again. PGMG understand CMJ and they spent the week promoing their show and making friends everywhere they went. The place was packed beyond anything I have ever experienced and the thought of death by fire was on my mind. Andrea is the most likeable singer I have seen in awhile. This band is no act and neither is she. Everything they do is so authentic. They immediately connect with the crowd and deliver the goods. Tight set with more biting power than I expected. The bands name has always put me off some. Andrea has a style truly her own as she delivers the lyrics with a grace rarely seen outside of jazz and makes sure every word and emotion is felt. The band sparkles throughout. Of all the performers I saw at CMJ--this is the band I would most like to hang out with, especially Andrea, who by the time she left the stage had managed to personally touch every one in the room with her charm. This band rocks both in music and lyrics. Intelligent but not snooty. Probably more CMJers with badges at this show than any other I attended. My second favorite performance of the marathon.
YOUNG PEOPLE: They followed PGMG and were so bloody awful I beg anybody in this group who likes them, for the love of God--tell me why. A horrible snooty woman behind the drums does the vocals as she taps the drums with one hand accompanied by two irritating shoe-gazing guitarists. Lyrics range from The Man Who Got Away (kinda) to other babble. The packed house is now about 1/3 full (thank God for room to breathe) and the few left are tired and not in the mood to be polite to this act. This insufferable woman leaves the drum to play the bass--but doesn't know how to plug it in and the show stalls. She then proves she can't play bass either. They mercifully do a short set. I guess this is some kind of art rock--lacking any artistic merit and never rocking.
THE GOSSIP: The crowd who had disappeared for Young People came back in force for The Gossip. Beth fronts this band (an Arkansas girl with a voice not to be believed). The band was not tight--stopping between each song to decide what to play next. The songs are short and the musicianship is acceptable, not stellar. But Beth's voice makes it all okay. She complains a little about being tired and playing at 8:00 in the morning--but she delivers the goods throughout the set. The crowd loves it even though it is 8 o'clock in the morning and everybody is ragged and exhausted. Beth dances with more energy than anybody should have at this end of this marathon and we dance with her, knowing it is the end. She is nothing less than brilliant. Unfortunately, I don't feel that way about the guitarist and drummer backing her up. The best female voice I have heard among our bands deserves better backing. The music is derivative of itself--only Beth's voice and her presence keeps it completely satisfying throughout the set. Yeah, I'd see them again in a minute--but don't think I'll find complete satisfaction in what they do until they either add a guitarist or Beth finds a new backing band.
--Dem
