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The Walkmen
Richard Swift
Talkdemonic
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Clubhouse
Tempe, AZ
6/17/2006
By: Meagan Rockne
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The Walkmen has been the soundtrack to my most menial
tasks. Hamilton Leithauser has crooned about noisy
neighbors as I put my laundry away. Paul Maroon has
worked his fast-paced picking as I emulated his movements
on my dirty dishes. The drums of Matt Barrick and the
piano/organ combo of Walter Martin have accompanied me
on trips to the grocery store to buy tomatoes and fruit
popsicles.
I have taken The Walkmen for granted because I know that
if I put any of their three albums on, I will listen to the whole
thing. But after seeing them play live, I don't know if I'll be
able to keep them as my token go-to album. I no longer
think of their music as the very best background noise
possible.
Opening the night was Talkdemonic - an instrumental violin
and drummer duo from Portland, OR. It was good. It
reminded me a little bit of Broken Social Scene's
instrumental tracks mixed with Bell Orchestre.
Next up was Richard Swift. I didn't really know what to make
of the band. It was my first time seeing them or even
hearing the name for that matter. They kind of reminded me
of Sam Roberts. That is if Sam Roberts was a band in the
1920's and played a clunky piano. They had a kind of alt-
country, "I play music in the woods," indie sort of
vibe.
The Walkmen did not disappoint - they even surpassed my
expectations. I was expecting them to be a little more like
background noise - so that I could have a conversation with
my friends and still catch them play if my gaze went that
way. But once they took to the stage and began that first
song, I knew that my conversing ability was going to be
limited to hoots and hollers and maybe the occasional "I love
you!"
One thing I noticed about their live performance is their
sound. On the album you can easily point out the drums,
piano, bass and guitar. Sure, Hamilton's voice may be a little
bit fuzzy but the instruments aren't; each one is audible on
the album. With their live show it's a much better blend.
Everything seems to wash into each other in a symphonic
buzz with Hamilton's mumbly crooning giving his audience a
subliminal message.
On the night that I saw them, I'm pretty sure it was to tell
the audience to go crazy, which the audience did - at least
one superfan in particular. The band seemed to take some
delight in this overzealous fan, who jumped and sported the
rock n roll horns through the entire set. It was an odd sight
to see since the band and the fans alike are known for a cool
demeanor.
I was in awe the entire night. Even when they played my
least favorite songs like, "Wake Up" or "Emma, Get Me A
Lemon," I wasn't bored. But their faster songs like, "The
Rat," "Little House Of Savages" and "Thinking Of A Dream I
Had" definitely contain more energy in live form. After
seeing them live and seeing the energy that the band has on
stage, I don't think that I will be able to go back using to
their CDs as my background noise around the house.
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