I'm a sucker for a band with a saw, so when I heard that alt-country group Or, the Whale has a saw in their act, I knew I was definitely catching the show, despite the fact that I knew it would keep me out way past my bedtime on a Tuesday night.
Unfortunately for me, there was not a saw in sight on Tuesday night. However, Or, the Whale still turned out one of the best shows I have seen this year.
Local group Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo opened the night to a decent-sized crowd. Word of mouth about this band has been really, really good - and this show lived up to the hype. The band plays a slightly folksy, Americana rock - with a dark underbelly. The band, however, rocked it hard - full of smiles, they danced on stage and looked like they were have a smashing good time. The audience followed suite and judging by the way the numbers dwindled after their set, the crowd was there for Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo. I full expect to be hearing a lot more from these guys in the near future.
Chamberlin is a rock group hailing from Vermont. They were fun to watch (in particular, the keyboardist / drummer), although I wouldn't say they knocked it out of the park. I don't know that I would go out of my way to see them again, but if I happened to find them opening for another show (which is likely, because the only place they play more than their hometown is Minneapolis), I'd be interested to see how they've evolved with time.
By the time Or, the Whale took the stage, the crowd had dwindled to a few dozen. The band, however, was not phased at all and opened with a bang - big grins on their faces, loving every minute. And 7th Street Entry is a great place to see a small show - it feels like it's just you and the band, burrowed away in an underground bunker. Or, the Whale took full advantage of the atmosphere, chit chatting with audience between songs.
And these guys can play. Truth be told, it would have been great to see a saw, but if I hadn't been expecting one, it would have never occurred to me to miss it. The music was bluesy, folksy, alt-country - with just enough grit. The stage was crowded with instruments, but they worked together seamlessly, never sounding overdone.
Overall, an incredible show - definitely a must-see group every time they come to town (and so worth sticking around until far too late on a Tuesday night).
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