More Cowbell
Tapes N Tapes / Wild Light / The Subjects
Music Hall of Williamsburg 2.26.09
Each of the 3 bands that took the stage on Thursday night at Music Hall are fully capable of writing good songs, maybe even great. But with all three of these bands, for every potential hit, there’s a song that completely falls flat.
First up were locals The Subjects. In front of an incredibly sparse crowd, the band swept through a much more poignant set that than what they laid out on display at Bell House a few months ago in the opening slot for Low vs Diamond, but they were never quite magical enough to be wowing. There is a load of potential in this band, and they’re excellent songwriters, but every time I see them I just want them to be better, and one of these days they’re probably going to write a pretty excellent record.
New Hampshire’s Wild Light followed, decked out in a uniform of black military style shirts and popped collars that would suggest a debt to The Clash. Their sounds, however, are more California-indie pop than high-energy British punk, and would have not been out of place on the OC. As is the case on record, their finest moments of their set came with guitarist Jordan Alexander on vocals. His songs “California on My Mind” and “New Hampshire” are strong enough to become big time hits, especially when summer rolls along. The only thing that’s holding back “California on My Mind” from being huge is the prominence of the word “fuck” throughout the lyrics.
Headlining was Tapes N Tapes, a band that accelerated to headline status a few years ago on the back of insane blogger hype a great tracks “Cowbell” and “Ten Dollar Ascots.” Their sophomore record “Walk it Off” only seemed to fizzle in comparison, despite some great tracks. Live on Thursday night, Tapes N Tapes just didn’t seem necessary extra something that sets a true headliner apart from other bands. That said, if everything song was as good as “Cowbell” and “Omaha,” it would have been a pretty exceptional set.
