11/29/06 – Can’t Stop the Rock

I’ve been going to see a lot of live music lately. I know that sometimes you sort of have to take your chances when you go see college bands play, but people in Muncie have no excuse. Most local bands are really great, and shows in Muncie are really fun. For one thing, there’s very little of the posturing you’ll find in a larger city. For the most part, people in Muncie will forgo standing in the corner, nodding their heads and trying to look cool and indifferent. There’s dancing! There’s singing along! There’s lots of jumping up and down! Plus, we have a variety of venues – The Student Center Tally, Doc’s, Village Green, Mo’s Tavern, random people’s basements.

Last Monday night in the SC Ball Room, This Story had their CD release party show with No Heroics, Please, Casados, and local favorites Arrah and the Ferns. No Heroics, Please got things stared with their interesting noise rock. I’m not a huge fan of noise rock – I want something I can sing along to, something that’s more than atmospheric. No Heroics, Please has no lyrics, and no discernable melodies. They also like to play under very dim lighting. I personally think they could benefit from a little more variety – there’s some good things happening, but they would be more recognized at different volumes and tempos. They’ve also had some recent shake ups, and are now playing with a new drummer and an injured bassist. They weren’t my favorite, but the crowd seemed to like them, and maybe with a little more practice, I’ll come around, too.

Casados was a complete change from No Heroics, Please. If you’re into bands like Iron and Wine and Over the Rhine, you’ll probably like Casados. They consist of a girl, her guy, and another guy, who seemed to be a bit of a third wheel. The girl and her guy would sing sweet ballads about getting married and going to sea and gaze lovingly at each other over her accordion table while the other dude would just be sitting off to the side, strumming his guitar and looking forlorn. Musically, they’re pretty good – nice harmonies, decently written songs, unique intrumentation. They could use a little work on stage presence, because it can be hard to be completely engaging when you’re all sitting down and playing slower songs. They’re worth checking out, though, and they’ll likely be back to Muncie soon.

Arrah and the Ferns were a delight as usual. I really can’t find enough good things to say about this three-piece orchestra of happiness. I’m not going to lie – I love these guys. Their songs are well written, and are both joyous and serious at once. Plus, there’s a sense that every member of the band truly cares about the others, and this comes across on stage and makes them irresistible. They played some new songs, which I’m not sure how I feel about yet. It seems like the band is still trying to figure that out, too. I think I’ll have to hear them again. But if you’re into sweet melodies, and hand claps and catchy little pop songs, then you need to see this band.

I’ll be honest. I haven’t heard This Story’s new release yet, but if it’s anything like their set on Monday, it’s going to be pretty good. This Story have a sound not unlike Bright Eyes and Neutral Milk Hotel. It’s big, expansive, and pretty. A lot of the big-ness of it comes from the fact that there are so damn many of them, When they took the stage, there was a visible dent left in the crowd. For a band so large, they keep things together nicely. Though sometimes it feels like some of the songs should be pared down a little, there’s always something sonically unique going on. They’re definitely worth seeing, and you’ve got no excuse – they play all over Indiana, all the time.

So, that was your Massive Show Update! Tomorrow, I’ll be going to officially sign up for the Miss BSU pageant. In the mean time, why don’t you take yourself and maybe a special friend to the dollar movies. Word on the street is, Jackass 2 is better than the first.

Talk to me, Dance with me,
Kerry