Photos by TIMOTHY FINN/The Star
Above: James Mercer looks out at the good life he has apparently found.
LAWRENCE -- James Mercer used to live in Manhattan, Kan., but he's a hero in Lawrence anyway.
Monday night, he and his red-hot band, the Shins, played the first of what will be two sold-out shows in two-nights at Liberty Hall. (The second show is tonight.)
The Shins play with vintage indie rock and pop and bohemian folk. They're a little mid-'80s R.E.M., a little Donovan, a little Love, a little British twee-pop, a little Beach Boys (very little). Live, they sound a bit rougher than they do on record, but only slightly, which is why they don't always command rapt attention.
At times, the crowd seemed to be listening casually, as if slightly bored and a little distracted (the way most people listen to music in the car while in light traffic). During "A Comet Appears," the conversations back by the sound board nearly drowned out Mercer's voice. Entertaining? Yes. Life-changing? Not exactly.
Still, there were plenty of highlights, and one came early: "Phantom Limb," the band's current hit, was song No. 3, though it got an underwhelming response. This crowd was, it seemed, more interested in earlier material, especially songs from "Oh, Inverted World," like "New Slang" and "Caring is Creepy" (the "Garden State" tracks) and the "Girl" tunes: "Girl Inform Me" and "Girl on the Wing."
A peppier, rougher version of "Gone for Good" prompted a loud reaction, too, though there wasn't nearly as much singing-along this time as there was for the Shins' last show here in May 2005.
Anita Robinson of the opening two-piece band Viva Voce joined the Shins on stage a couple of times and added some nice harmonies and instrumental accompaniment during "Phantom Limb" and "New Slang" (as she did recently during their appearance on "Saturday Night Live"). It was a nice touch. In fact, things seemed to look and sound better when she was out there.
Viva Voce (Anita on guitar, her husband, Kevin Robinson, on drums and guitar) didn't fare as well; they just couldn't recreate the many charms of their latest album "Get Yr Blood Sucked Out." Part of the problem seemed to be the sound in the room, which was sludgy throughout their set. (Mercer's vocals sounded a little muddy for part of the Shins' set, too, especially from under the balcony hangover).
The Shins' show lasted around 80 minutes and even the scores of people who schlepped over from Kansas City seemed to think it was worth the sometimes harrowing ride back home in the blowing snow.
At least one patron planned to return for Tuesday's show. On his way out the door, he wondered out loud whether he'd get a different show. I'm guessing the setlist might change, but the show will be essentially the same.
| Timothy Finn, The Star
The Shins setlist: Sleeping Lessons, Australia, Phantom Limb, Kissing the Lipless, Mine’s Not a High Horse, Girl Inform Me, Girl on the Wing, New Slang, Saint Simon, Girl Sailor, Turning a Square, Know Your Onion! Gone For Good, A Comet Appears, Turn Me On, Caring Is Creepy. Encores: Pressed In A Book, So Says I
Above: The Shins get some help on "New Slang" from Anita Robinson of Viva Voce (far right).
All I know is that one Shins song, and I like it just fine.
Meanwhile, not enough is being written about how the Decemberists sound suspiciously like Al Stewart.
Posted by: Florn Roonst | February 13, 2007 at 10:41 PM