First a confession, I'm hung over. I didn't mean to be hung over, but I am. I blame the band, they didn't go on until about 12:30 and then I just couldn't bring myself to leave once they started. Victory at Sea played with Brandon Butler and Frank Smith and Chris Keene at Great Scott's in Allston Rock City.
First a little atmosphere. I boarded the bus in Cambridge around 8:45. It was ice cold but not a flake to be seen. By the time I stepped off the bus in Allston at 9:00 the snow was falling fast and furious and there was already a layer of slick snow covering the sidewalk. That said, there was a good-sized crowd and a lot of people stayed for the whole show. It appears that live music is alive and well and doesn't take snow days (or nights).
Victory at Sea is a four-piece band from Boston (unfortunately their violin player was in Japan) who have been around for ten years and have put out five records on three different labels. Over time they have morphed from a stripped down edgy guitar-bass-drums trio to a still-edgy but much more lush and full sounding four piece with violin, keyboard, guitar and drums. Mona Elliot's vocals and guitar playing are captivating. Picking clean lines and runs on her telecaster. She frequently leans back away from the mic and weaves her voice through the music, receding into the eaves and then climbing back onto center stage. Mel's keyboards rise and fall from almost funky to bass heavy accompaniment to rich wall of sound.
These guys are definitely worth a listen, check out their site - http://www.victoryatsea.net - and find out when they are coming to your town. Also Brandon Butler was cool, I talked to him about the merits of good stage banter. Also check out their label Gern Blandsten for some more cool bands.
way to set a mood. like the description of the singer.
Posted by: alozi | March 01, 2005 at 02:19 PM