The Biltmore Explodes

Teen daze

Last Monday night at The Biltmore Cabaret was the sold-out Toro Y Moi with Braids and Teen Daze show. Teen daze opened the show with a completely instrumental dance-y DJ set. Which he appeared to pull off with nothing but the track pad on his laptop running Ableton Live. It was a quick, high energy set. Well done.

Braids

Next up was Braids, and I must admit that it was Braids that I wanted to see most. They came out swinging even though they had just played an in store over at Red Cat earlier that day. They opened with their hit 'Lemonade' and then straight into 'Plath Heart'. I was so amped, I mean they were killing it. Then as they started to transition out of 'Plath Heart' when lead singer Raphaelle had a pedal problem (I'm not surprised as there were so many on stage it was confusing to look at much less operate). She also informed us that her voice was going and looked a little despondent. Braids are well known for their close friendships within the band and this was nothing that a hug from keyboardist Katie couldn't fix. Braids were back on track and all was right with the world.

Toro Y Moi

Finally, Toro Y Moi hit the stage. I wasn't a big fan until I saw the live show. Full band, high energy, this is a headlining band alright. Light flashing, people dancing, it was really intoxicating (or was that just the PBR?). I would highly recommend making an effort to catch all three bands live any chance you get. You may not be so lucky as to catch them in such a intimate venue before long.

Album Revue- The Gift - Explode

Started in 1994, the (now) four piece band, The Gift is to Portugal what The Tragically Hip was to Canada in the '90's, the nation's band. The Gift play big live shows to sell out crowds in their home country but, except for opening for The Flaming Lips tour in 2003, are largely unknown here in North America. Hence the video (see last week's blog) for 'Made for You' the first single off Explode, that features Lukas Haas and Isabel Lucas performing the song as if they wrote it, in a brilliantly executed ploy to make the song/band more familiar to us. 'Made for You' is a huge success as a song wether or not you watch the video and it is not alone on the album. Explode opens with the synth driven 'Let It Be by Me'. A repeating lyric starts in unison and slowly bursts apart into an explosion of pieces that sounds a bit like competing stereos playing different songs in a single room. The track 'My Sun', with harp and gang vocals, sounds like it could have come from The Polyphonic Spree, where as 'Race is Long' has elements (driving bass and epic piano) reminiscent of Muse.

The third track off Explode 'RGB' really digs into the "arena rock", super slick production that comes naturally to them (and their producer Ken Nelson (Cold Play)). This sound is familiar and well executed but often goes too far into the super dramatic. 'Suit Full of Colours' and 'Aquatic', would serve a latin drama well. The twelve minute epic 'The Singles' starts off almost MGMT 'esque but then veers off into "prog rock" that ultimately leaves something to be desired.

If the American market is something The Gift are courting then Explode is successful in garnering positive attention. Perhaps they don't want to alienate their fan base but short of committing completely they risk being more popular in the "world music" section then on regular rotation on the radio. 'Made For You' is a top notch track and they have clearly been listening to their own advice "This time you're not alone/ Get rid of old ideals/ Do something on your own/ Don't care about the things you are listening to" and we are all richer for it.


Stay tuned for an exclusive, brand new Tasty Ears On Location Video with C.R. Avery later tonight.