Here's the odd thing: I can rip them apart logically, with severe criticisms, but still, I just....feel it. To wit:
1. Main frontman, Tom, has no verbal charisma or rapport with the crowd. He is repetitive and cliched. "thank you Wershingtun, D.C" "God Bless Wershingtun, D.C."
2. Their influences are clearly obvious, though they claim they never listened to those bands and instead wanted to make music that fell between DJ Shadow's Endtroducing and Revolver.
3. Serge's backing vocals are repetitive. The "ahhhh's" appear often. Sometimes I can't remember what song I am seeing/hearing becase they end up sounding alike.
All of that being said, they were GREAT. Whoever said the drummer was the key was right on. He was (overused word --->) propulsive.
I was shocked by the size and enthusiasm of the crowd. They have come far in a short period of time. I especially liekd how they sometimes changed transitions in songs so they didn't sound exactly like the album version.
Oh, just thought of another:
4. They use too much hair care product. Damn, every strand was in perfect place and never moved. Or, they were just really dirty and probably smelly.
And another:
5. Did they even play the typical 75 minutes? I think they went on at 10:05 and got off at 11:10. 65 minutes including encore. Too short for a headliner, even if it was only $10.00.
