The Antlers

The Antlers' brilliant record Hospice was by far one of last year's outstanding albums. But I've long wondered if it would transfer well to the stage - it's a dark, depressive album full of heavy themes and distortion that seems like it might not play well to a crowd. I am overjoyed to report that it absolutely transforms on stage into a truly stunning live show. Frontman Peter Silberman's voice was as touching in person as it is in studio, a feat not often pulled off in today's world of audio effects. Not only that, but the music took on a new intensity on the Mohawk stage, shatteringly and appropriately loud. And still, through the feedback and wailing guitar noise, I was struck by lyrics I hadn't noticed before in the dozens of times that I've listened to these songs. It was beautiful, it was mesmerizing, it was transcendent. And it was one of the best sets I saw all week.