Ailment: Whiny, Argumentative, Short-Tempered, Ill-Humored Tart
Duration: Too Fucking Long
Cause: Too Involved To Go Into
Cure: Two Wonderful Shows by Talented and Lovely Bands, (well and some very helpful conversations with adored friends – you know who you are)

Details: I had a feeling it would be the case, and sure enough, I really needed a double dose of some kick-ass, good-energy music in a small venue where people just fucking enjoyed the music and weren’t there to be seen or drink tequila shots off scantily-clad women in pirate outfits. I got exactly what I needed with Ice Palace on Friday night at Schubas and The Hudson Branch tonight at the Bottom Lounge.

I have to confess it took me longer than a few listens to get Wonder Softly Crushing Us into my head the right way. I made the mistake of reading some press release or other about it and had just the wrong idea about it being some folksy thing, which is NOT. It’s more like some modern variation of post-punk, rock/indie stuff. And once I got my ears ready for it, I fucking loved it. I’m sending “Devil’s Tower” into the Contrast Podcast this week (should I not disclose that yet? Eeekk, what’s the protocol here?!?) and I can’t get it out of my head. Hearing it live on Friday night just upped the ante. The driving beat of it, accentuated by driving guitar chords and the vision of the five of them nodding deep, just puts that song on another level of appreciation for me now. Ice Palace were wonderfully in tune with one another, not just in the musical sense but in that they visibly worked together. When Adam started counting off to start a song, Amy realized that whatever guitarist behind him wasn’t tuned up yet (sorry didn’t get them sorted out!) and waved him off.  When it took a couple tries to get the final song started, Adam stepped back from the mic and let someone else begin. I love watching how bands play off each other, you know they’re not there just for us, don’t ya? Maybe it’s the voyeur in me, but I like to think I can suss out a little of how they get on with each other by how they are on stage, and I find the subtext a bit fascinating. Ice Palace were fascinating on many levels and they gave a hell of a show! Adam’s voice was in good form, the whole show was wonderfully loud, and they took their time to noodle around a bit and build to a few crescendos that left me holding my breath. This is a band to see perform. Do not miss them when they come to your town! Buy Wonder Softly Crushing Us

The Hudson Branch is a sorta local band (they’re from a town not too far south of Chicago) that I’ve reviewed on these pages recently. I had never been able to see them play live even though their newly released album Tightrope Walker is one of my favorite records of 2009 so far. When I heard they were coming to the Bottom Lounge I knew I had to be there; the sound guys at that venue really know what they’re up to and it’s a musician’s dream place, I’ve been told by everyone who’s played there. I’ll admit, I was 12% worried that they wouldn’t be as good as they were on CD. You really never know with a young, new band and a debut record, if they’ll be able to pull it off onstage. But I had seen YouTube videos and so I was pretty certain these guys were the real deal. The moment Corey Cobey began the title track, “Tightrope Walker,” I knew I had nothing to worry about. He delivered it perfectly and slid right into the next song effortlessly with the full sound of this five-piece band slowly building and eeking it’s way in, piece by piece. However, it was when they played “Clouds” that a little part of me floated up to the ceiling and fell down again, achingly good. You know that exhilaration you get when you have a crush on someone and they smile at you across the room? I guess I get song-crushes then, because that was performed wonderfully and it blew my mind. Cymbals shimmered, guitars were strummed increasingly faster, xylophone was dinged, hands were clapped, toy piano was struck, trombone was blown and this band had a heck of a great time up there for us. After “Clouds” M.Chut and I moved back and I shamelessly sang along and “danced,” pretty safe in the knowledge that they couldn’t see me in the shadows   Buy Tightrope Walker “Down By The River”

Opening for The Hudson Branch were Jadiid, which are comprised of Jake and Matt Boll, also of the Hudson Branch, along with Enoch Kim and Kevin Sparks. Matt sings lead in Jadiid, giving it a heavier sound and one that I’d not heard nearly enough of. It was really great to get more of an idea of what this band is about, to hear the addition of their friend Beth singing back up and to see what direction it will go while the Hudson Branch promotes it’s new album. Jadiid is in the studio now, working on their first LP. I really look forward to it. Their first EP Movement is available for download on this little widgety thing. Scroll down for tour dates for both bands, xoxo

Ice Palace Tour Details
Sep 1 2009 8:00P Hi Dive w/ Princeton Denver, Colorado
Sep 2 2009 8:00P Waiting Room w/ Princeton Omaha, Nebraska
Sep 3 2009 8:00P Picador w/ Princeton Iowa city, Iowa
Sep 4 2009 8:00P The House Cafe w/ Princeton Dekalb, Illinois
Sep 5 2009 8:00P Frankies w/ Princeton Toledo, Ohio
Sep 6 2009 8:00P Garfield Artworks w/ Princeton Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sep 7 2009 8:00P The Fire w/ River City Extension Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sep 8 2009 8:00P The Wonderbar W/ River City Extension and PABLO Asbury Park, New Jersey
Sep 9 2009 8:00P Union Hall W/ Princeton and Phil & the Osophers Brooklyn, New York
Sep 11 2009 8:00P Melody Inn Indianapolis, Indiana
Sep 12 2009 8:00P The Terrace Madison, Wisconsin
Hudson Branch Tour Details
Sep 6 2009 8:00P Bethany Beach Bethany, Michigan
Sep 6 2009 11:00P Show in Sawyer Sawyer, Michigan
Sep 26 2009 8:00P Judson University Chapel Elgin, Illinois
Sep 30 2009 12:00P Invisible Children Benefit @ DePaul Chicago, Illinois