Hurricane Bells @ Subterranean 5/14/2010

Hurricane Bells came by my way rather haphazardly. As with many, my first exposure was through the New Moon soundtrack, yet it slipped under my consciousness since I don't stare at the track listing. Not more than a week ago, the band resurfaced by word-of-mouth of a friend who I had run into at previous concerts. Nevertheless, I, along with those remnants who stuck around after King Sparrow, were lifted and stirred by "The Winters in New York" opening late Friday night's set.

This New York indie pop outfit with a penchant for folk reminds of a soothing blend between Pinback and The Shins. While the album can be foreboding and wistful, they had a carefree lightness to their stage presence. The twangy guitar of the opener soon gave in, succumbing to a stunning surging solo that awoke the audience's senses. "Darkness Is So Deep" followed, unveiling an ebb and flow for the evening; a balance between downtempo, heavier numbers before unveiling another, more pop song as with "This Is A Test."

"Tonight I'm Going To Be Like A Shooting Star," under Subterranean's chandelier, was energetic, hopeful in lieu of the exasperated, raspy vocals of the album. It was this fulfilling element that took over their first stop in Chicago on their debut tour. Think the warmth of a bonfire, holding genuine conversations with friends as opposed to being isolated and that was the difference that evening. Yet all wasn't so serious as Steve and his sister performed a brilliant, lullaby acoustic cover of The Shirelle's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."

Oddly the standout "Monsters" did not close the evening, despite the generous reception. Instead "The Cold Has Killed Us" took the honor with its resonating guitar plucks bouncing off the walls in laying Chicago down for the evening. For their first time in the city, Hurricane Bells ran ashore and encompassed everyone in an impressive, too-short performance.

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Comments

[cinchel]

excellent review, but one correction. Ashen is not Steve's sister. She is Ashen Keilyn and she has her own band called scout (www.scoutscoutscout.com). He produced her newest record which should be out soon.

:)