Yeasayer and Amazing Baby played the last River Rocks show of the season at Pier 54. It was cloudy and ominous, but unlike Ted Leo, the weather held up and fans were treated to a brilliant night of music.
Amazing Baby kicked off the show. Combining a bit of throw-back psychadelic with no frills rock, the band has a straight-forward sound that is propulsive but can be quite divisive. Some in the crowd seemed to love it while others felt it as a waste of time. The crowd was slowly gathering as Amazing Baby tore into their standout song “Headdress”.
The sound at times was overwhelmed by the crashing drums. The band sounded tight with with good solos and riffs as well as an excellent rhythm section. The set did not develop and it felt stuck on one tempo. This could be more due to the tight time constraints but it left a little to be desired. A nice introduction to the band that could have led to something more. If anything, opening for an amazing live band like Yeasayer will teach them a thing or two.
Since we last left Yeasayer (read our review here) they replaced their original drummer and gained a new member. Changes like this may be cause for concern, but have no fear. The performance showcased four new songs as well as choice cuts from the stellar All Hour Cymbals.
Starting off with “Tightrope” and “Amblin Alp”, the band sounds tight with a very full sound. The songs are lush and diverse, the influences are too numerous to list. It’s like what other reviewers have said, Yeasayer puts you on a globe trotting journey full of exploration and wonder. As a note from a synth sample grabs the listener’s attention, a drum or bass line pulls them in another direction.
An issue this reviewer had last year was the pacing of the show. It was a bit slow and plodded early on. Songs like “Germs” or “Worms”, although entertaining, can weigh down the set. Yeasayer did not play those two songs as well as “No Need to Worry” (which was a disappointment). In their place were the new songs like “O.N.E” and “I Remember” which added some new elements to Yeasayer’s sound.
The crowd rejoiced when “Sunrise”, “Wait for the Summer” and “2080″ were played. The band has not lost their touch while playing these gems, each song sounded crisp and better live. There is a sense of urgency that comes across beautifully in Yeasayer’s live shows as well as a sense of honesty.
Throughout the night lead singer Chris Keating thanked the crowd, appreciated the support, and said how New York was the place to be. To think it has been eight months since their last NYC performance.
The encore consisted of a great rendition of “Forgiveness” which transitioned seamlessly into “Wait for the Wintertime”.
Another night, another great Yeasayer performance. The new album is on its way, we just need a little patience. More pictures and video below.
Amazing Baby
Yeasayer
