the morning benders/Class Actress/Blood Orange/Acrylics/Twin Shadow @ Glasslands, Brooklyn 2/6/09
First off, this photo set is really great and worth a pass through, compliments in part to Glasslands gallery’s new “cloud cover” installation, and in part to the always impressive camera work of Ryan Muir. Bands in post-title listed in order of dominance, although there’s no reason to try to try call winners between the morning benders and headliner Class Actress, both of whose sets alone made going out in the hostile cold for the marathon five-band lineup seem like the weekend’s smartest decision. First, the morning benders. They recently relocated to this neighborhood, and put it on notice with their debut Saturday night as bona-fide Brooklyn residents. Their new album Big Echo is affecting, catchy, emotionally earnest. Clever indie pop, basically, with breezy West Coast melodies meeting the sort of artsy and ethereal sweeps and swells you might expect upon learning it’s co-produced by Chris Taylor. Their live set nailed those elements unexpectedly well, innocent and endearing but not without force, high on presence and precision for a foursome so fresh-faced. Three years ago they had promise, but now they have “Promises,” along with a full record of stuff well worth checking. Album’s great, live show’s a lock.
They were followed by the headlining Class Actress, who’ve emerged as the cream of the Terrible Records crop. Class Actress is principally Elizabeth Harper, a former folkie who’s transformed into full-on synth-pop sexpot on the back of vintage synths, ’80s dance beats by way of New Order and evocative, sighing hooks. There was a shoulder-padded pantsuit (blazer demurely disrobed), a cameo from Caroline of Chairlift, and at least three girls at my side who decided they’d undress while dancing too why not. They didn’t know Class Actress before, but the songs from the ace Journal Of Ardency EP were inspiration enough. Elizabeth’s using the keyboard as a stand-in for someone to dance with helped. Likely so.
Related posts:
- Yeasayer/Class Actress/Javelin @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg, Brooklyn 2/9/10
- the morning benders - “Excuses” (Live With Chris From Girls, John Vandeslice & Friends)
- the morning benders - “Excuses” (Live With Chris From Girls, John Vanderslice & Friends)
- Surfer Blood/the morning benders/Beach Fossils/Grooms/Turbo Fruits @ Market Hotel, Brooklyn 2/27/10
- the morning benders - “Excuses”
- Au Revoir Simone/Class Actress @ Highline Ballroom, NYC 1/7/10
- New Morning Benders - “Promises”
- Class Actress – “Journal Of Ardency” Video
- CANT - “Ghosts (Class Actress Remix)”
- Stream the morning benders Big Echo
