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08:36 AM - CMJ Day one recap
I'm off to a pretty strong start with this CMJ busines... last night I saw the two bands I was determined not to miss, plus a few. Here's a rundown: First up were Monsters are Waiting @ Pianos. I'd heard about them and been told I'd like them, and after seeing them I can understand why people would figure that: their vibe is very familiar and similar to bands that I am already a fan of. This can always either help or hurt a band, and it's a very thin line between the two. The singer is the epitome of the hipster girl lead singer - all Karen O and Emily Haines and that girl from The Grates, robotic and sexy and happy and childlike and a little bit scary. The band are fairly tame, they look like they've been through the indie rock ropes a bit. Something about it gave me a hint of the Morningwood vibe - the super experienced pro players backing the less experienced but very determined girl, right? Perhaps. Their set was enjoyable, and some of the songs were catchy, and the projection behind them was a nice touch (always is, right?) but they didn't blow me away. Too bad, I was hoping they would. Certainly worth seeing again and checking out the record though. They also reminded me a bit of Agent Sparks (in their more "up" moments). Birdmonster were up next and with all the attention they've been getting I decided to ignore the fact their I wasn't super impressed with what little I'd heard from them and stuck around through their set. The best part were their costumes: the Boss, Prince, Joe Perry, and of course Animal on drums. They had energy, a singer with a great voice, an entertaining bassist, and a great wild-eyed guitarist, but really the drums ruined it for me. Maybe it's because they followed Monsters are Waiting, whose drummer exhibited an impressive sense of restraint and tasteful playing (not to mention a really odd way of hitting his hi-hat) that served the music, while Birdmonster's drummer just sort of slapped around at his kit. Since this was Halloween and he was dressed as Animal, my only hope is that he was playing it up for the night and that it usually sounds better. As for the actual songs - I have no idea. Nothing got stuck in my head and I often felt like they were written just so some dude could go "YEAH!" when it got to the chorus - more like some of those "emo" bands than what you usually hear from "indie rockers." Given the special circumstances of the evening - with the band obviously being at least sort of in character, I'd like to see them again in a more natural setting and see what they're like. However I will give it to them for (get ready for this, I'm about to shock a couple people) their really fun cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City." Seriously. It was really cool. Other people were there too: the Underrated Blog and This Life of Myne. Others? Now that I've alienated the hip music blogger community, I can tell you all about how I went and saw a vaguely psuedo ethnic jam band at Mercury Lounge. Toubab Krewe were interesting for a few minutes and their ninja costumes added some appropriate mystique to their set, but after a while it was obvious that what they were doing was more for the white hat frat boys in the crowd bopping their heads and downing beers than myself. Off we go. The Hot IQs are from Denver. With MiG's recent adventures into the western parts of the country, I'd seen their name around a bit and heard some songs - liking all that I heard. Their sound falls somewhere between We Are Scientists and Interpol, but hey! they have a cute girl drummer who blows bubbles while drumming and smiles like she's going to ask if she can come home with you. No joke. I liked them and was impressed that they kept the energy and excitement up even though the crowd was miniscule. Check our Hot IQs on myspace or today at 3pm when they play the Pirate Radio CMJ Day Party at Arlene's Grocery. MPS has her own version of the night, which partially coincides with mine. The schedule for today is, well, I'm at work. But lunch will be taken late and spent watching O'Death at the Day Stage, then back to work, and then tonight is all about the Serious Business Records show at the Knitting Factory Old Office. 
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