It was possibly the largest crowd I’ve ever seen at TT the Bear's on a Monday. A group of eager fans came out to see Lower Dens and Cass McCombs Band perform their respective styles of moody pop. Fortunately, both sets proved to be well worth venturing out on a school night.
Taking the stage with her band Lower Dens, front woman Jana Hunter appeared focused, but unassuming, in her gray skinny jeans and white t-shirt. As the opening chords and bass groove of “Tea Lights” began, it became clear that her understated stage presence would serve the performance well. While her voice is a stunning instrument, it never soars above the other players. Rather, it’s used as one of many layers that make up Lower Dens’ atmospheric haze. Droning rhythms and shimmering guitars are given equal importance. The band is it at their best on slower ballads such as “I Get Nervous” and “Truss Me”. Stretching out their spare arrangements and allowing Hunter’s haunting vocals to reach their most soulful, these songs led to goose bump-worthy moments.
Some simple stage dressing followed for headliners Cass McCombs Band. Strands of tiny white bulbs twinkled behind panels of Styrofoam. The muted lights illuminated an otherwise dim stage, rendering the musicians little more than shadowy silhouettes. While this posed an interesting challenge for our photographer, the overall effect was perfectly suited for an artist like McCombs. Whether it’s his enigmatic lyrics, or the fact that he seems to be perpetually hiding behind his overlong bangs, he uses his air of mystery to great effect. He opened by strumming through fan favorites “Prima Donna” and “Lonely Doll” before debuting a fairly up-tempo new song, “Robin Egg Blue.” The audience happily nodded along, some even started dancing, much to McCombs’ amusement.
When discussing Cass McCombs’ albums, a friend once observed that he doesn’t always live up to his potential. In McCombs’ case, this is almost a compliment. What he does achieve when reaching that potential is breathtaking. Any song that follows, even a great one, seems mediocre in comparison. A perfect example of this occurred when he sat down to the organ to perform the heartbreaking, R&B tinged ballad “County Line.” Gorgeously phrased and performed in an aching falsetto, it was by far the highest point of the evening. Not a single movement or sound could be detected in the audience.
McCombs closed the show with a cover of The Beatles’ “Dear Prudence,” which quickly segued into “Aids In Africa.” He left without playing an encore, despite the audience’s chants for “one more song.” I would have loved for his set to be a bit longer. He has amassed such an impressive catalog over the past nine years, there were bound to be some disappointing omissions (no “Dreams Come True Girl”? no “I Went To The Hospital”?). All the more incentive to see him next time he comes to town. I can’t wait to see him come closer to sustaining those moments of brilliance that he displayed.
Stream Cass McCombs' lastest release WIT'S END below:
