Phillyist Reviews... Aqualung

After our interview with Aqualung, we were sure that the live concert couldn't be better than his new CD Memory Man, which is being released today. It was, but in a different way than expected. The ingenuity and creative aspect of his CD is truly incredible. You can tell that he as a gift with music and sounds. Aqualung has definitely reinvented rock music for a new generation.

He uses a variety of instruments on his CD that are not regularly heard on a standard "rock" album. These instruments and the way he uses them is what makes Aqualung stand out from the crowd of U.K. rockers like Coldplay and Keane. His new music has an emotional side, as seen in "Garden of Love" (which is Hales' favorite), as well as a harder driving energy, as in his new single, "Pressure Suit." His music is intoxicating.

Now what was the difference between the CD and the concert? Everything, but in a good way. It was a true rock concert. Aqualung was able to transfer his new music to a four-piece band: piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums. Now that is a standard rock band, and nothing new, but unlike on his CD, his instrumentation is not what shined at the concert. Aqualung's energy, charisma and skilled musicianship is what really made his concert work.

Aqulaung did use their instruments in different ways, though. At one point, Ben Hales, the lead guitarist and Matt's brother, used a plastic beer cup to play his chords. That's something I have never seen before and it wasn't because he was drunk either. It was on purpose. Matt's effortless piano skills were spotlighted throughout the concert; he played solo on three or four songs.

Overall the concert rocked. At one point he had the crowd screaming, "Phil-a-del-phia!" over and over while he improvised a melody on the piano. He also reminisced about the "Ass Show" that he played in Philadelphia a couple of years ago. He had a great way of connecting with the audience that many performers forget about. He truly had a knack for performing live and giving the audience what they wanted.

Check out his album, Memory Man, which is being released today. On iTunes you can get a bonus track and digital booklet for $9.99. It will definitely be worth it. You can also see Aqualung tonight on the David Letterman Show.

Photo taken by author.