Show Review: Tim Kasher at Schubas

Tim Kasher - Schubas (11/20/2010)
reviewed by John Ronzani

“We’ve only put out one album,” the notoriously drunken Tim Kasher soberly announced early in his November 20th set at Schuba’s Tavern in Chicago.  ”So we’re gonna be playing some older songs tonight.”  He and his four-piece band then followed with a rousing rendition of “You’re No Fool” from 2004’s excellent “Album of the Year” (that’s the title).  It was no surprise that Kasher scattered songs from his quieter and more introspective band, The Good Life, across his set list on this night.  What surprised and delighted the capacity crowd, however, were the two climactic end-of-set songs that he wrote for the band and the album that garnered him his greatest fame.  

Cursive’s “The Ugly Organ” is angsty.  It’s bitter.  It’s volatile.  Not qualities you’d expect from a singer-songwriter type show.  But with just an acoustic guitar, drums, bass, keys, and the occasional melodica, Kasher and band delivered memorable renditions of “The Recluse” and “Driftwood: A Fairy Tale”.  As the latter reached crescendo and the entire sold-out crowd screamed, “Liar, liar!” with Kasher, the energy in the room was palpable and left me with goose bumps.  As a concert-goer you live for those types of moments and don’t soon forget them.

While that was the most indelible moment of the night, the rest of the set was tight and energetic.  The band shined on new songs, “I’m Afraid I’m Gonna Die Here” and “Bad, Bad, Dreams”.  And when things became quieter on the stripped down “Strays” and “Prodigal Husband” the audience was attentive to each lyric - and, after all, that’s really what it’s all about.  

Some guys write love songs.  Kasher “thinks he should probably write a love song” within a love song. Some guys write about sex.  Kasher writes about a problem libido leaving him wanting to “lop the thing right off”. Some guys write about missing lost loves and wanting them back.  Kasher writes about wanting to fuck old girlfriends as conquest and drunkenly e-stalking acquaintances at all hours of the night.  It’s specificity, it’s self-awareness, it’s over-sharing, it’s nuance, and it’s honesty.  And when it all comes together live as flawlessly as it did at Schuba’s on this night, it makes for a great fucking show.

Pitchfork Scale: 9.5/10

Show Review: Jenny and Johnny at Lincoln Hall

Jenny and Johnny - Lincoln Hall (9/13/2010)
reviewed by John Ronzani

There are innumerable factors, independent to each individual, that will determine what a show will mean to her/him.  The people within your immediate radius.  How many beers you've had.  If you're with friends, are you constantly peeking over to check on their enjoyment?  And these examples are independent of the actual show.  Is the band tight?  How many beers have they had?  Do they seem to be enjoying themselves, or are they going through the motions?  Are they interacting with the crowd, or are we seemingly non-existent?

One factor that has been of particular note for me lately is "the album tour."  You know how these go.  Band comes out, plays 95% (or more) of the soon to be or just released album and then throws the crowd a bone, be it hit or fan favorite.  The band can absolutely kill an album show.  They can be tight, energetic, and seemingly happy to be in your town.  But ultimately, if I'm at the album show, I feel as though I'm just checking songs off a list.  And for me, predictability is a significant detriment to the concert going experience.

This brings us to Jenny (Lewis) and Johnny (Johnathan Rice).  Their album, "I'm Having Fun Now" was released on August 31.  In the two weeks prior to their date at Lincoln Hall, I tirelessly familiarized myself with the new songs.  I wish I had not done this.  About 4 songs into the set it was apparent that I was attending an album show.  Had I attended the show without knowledge of the new material, the show would have no doubt been more exciting.  The harmonies on the album are beautiful.  The lyrics, with the exception of a few questionable moments are top notch (as is a general rule on any of Lewis' projects).  And as the title suggests, the fun the real life lovers had making this record is palpable.  It's wonderful and romantic, and frankly, makes me feel a bit fuzzy inside.

So why then, night after night, churn through a hard-lined set list essentially stripping some of the charm and fun away.  I hate for this to sound like a negative review.  It's not.  Jenny and Johnny's harmonies on stage were as strong as the album.  The songs were tight.  And really, it's just great to see Jenny Lewis in person.  She has this sexy mojo on stage that no one in indie rock comes close to matching.  I have zero complaints about the sound or energy of the show.  However, the couple's on stage interactions were sparse.  They put on a very workmanlike performance, churning through song after song off of Fun, and throwing the crowd a bone late in the set with "The Next Messiah" off of Acid Tongue.  And instead of ending with at least one single song off of her amazing 2006 album, Rabbit Fur Coat, or at least fan favorite "Acid Tongue", the two instead played an un-ironic cover of "Love Hurts."

It's one of those situations as a fan where yeah, it was a bit of a let down, but you're still glad you went.  I'll take a night with Jenny and Johnny...well Jenny (let's be honest, the crowd wasn't exactly shouting for Rice songs) over most other things.  And for now I'll just bide my time until the career spanning tour arrives in town.  Probably next summer, assuming my touring acumen is in tune.

Pitchfork Scale: 6.1/10