Instead, Lost In The Trees(Dec. 6, Local 506) proved far superior to Real Estate, and when my friends told me Street Dogs (Dec. 15, Cat's Cradle) were a punk band I'd enjoy, they neglected to mention this was a Boston punk band. As a result, they focused primarily on drinking songs and shouting in obnoxious Irish punk accents over music that sounded, at its best moments, like an alcoholic version of early Green Day.
Real Estate is not yet the next big thing some claim they are. Their 45-minute set was unimaginative and choppy, and there was a general lack of professionalism.
The sweet, atmospheric and psychedelic feel of Real Estate recorded changes into a guitar-heavy band prone to dynamic shifts without changing the music's relaxing feel. Vocally, there was no unified theme, as Real Estate mimicked singers ranging from ballad-mode Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) to Bruce Springsteen. Still, to have such a distinguished guitar sound from only one record shows promise matched by few upstart bands.
If uncertain vocals were the set's only concerns, problems would be minimal. In addition, though, noticeably lengthy tuning time between tracks ruined the feel of a band so centered on ambiance. Tuning is important for a guitar-driven band but these guys seriously have to figure out how other bands have been playing seamless sets despite playing even more complicated music.
At one point, when a guitar string broke, the band finished the track as if nothing went wrong, then borrowed a guitar from the opening band. Now, since gruelingly long tuning breaks followed every song, and since the set was almost over (or 30 minutes in, depending on your perspective), nobody would have complained if there was yet another lull in the action. Instead, the band plunged straight into the next track, only to stop 30 seconds in because, for some inexplicable reason, the new guitar was not tuned properly.
While the music was solid and showed promise, it was overshadowed by a bad case of rookie tour syndrome. In time, Real Estate will grow into a top indie act, but for now, they're still figuring this live music thing out. This concert was great for reminding us concertgoers how much we often take for granted, and how difficult it is to flow effortlessly through a live performance, even when it looks easy.
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During the deadest of dead weeks for local live shows, it's time to look back on the year that was, with a top five concert list of the year (to be finished next week).
Cymbals Eat Guitars (Honorable Mention)-- The most promising band that popped up in 2009, Cymbals Eat Guitars produced an inspiring, invigorating rock album that they replicated live with surprising precision. They've already booked another Local 506 show, this time as a headliner, for March 7, and my calendar is marked. For a band with songs uncharacteristically complicated for the high-energy and well-crafted moods presented, everything flows together in a way that is thrilling to watch live.
5. Polvo -- Modern Chapel Hill bands aren't always known for being heavy, but Polvo is a much-needed throwback to a time when local music packed a punch. This '90s post-punk, math-rock giant of national fame graced the Cradle one more time with its unique brand of Chapel Hill spunk, doing its hometown proud.
4. Mastodon -- My pick for album of the year is Mastodon's "Crack The Skye," one of the few metal albums I'm proud to admit I enjoy. Seeing these guys tear through the whole album in concert highlighted how technically proficient they are and how demanding it is to create a musical masterpiece in a league of its own, blending catchy choruses with heavy metal.
