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If you know me, you know that on the list of things you're not likely to hear me say, "I just heard a great rock album!" ranks pretty high. Likewise, "I just saw an amazing alternative rock show!" is not a sentence I'm prone to utter.
Now, it's not that I don't like rock, it's just that, well, for lack of a better explanation, that's not my jam. Minus the rare occasions I decide to indulge my inner jam-band-loving-folk-fest-goer or vibe with some soulful singer-songwriters, if I'm listening to music, I'm listening to rap. This means that when I do actually switch up my music selection for a rock group, I'm really into what I'm hearing. And from the second I borrowed Alright Junior's debut CD, Eudaemonic, from a friend, that's exactly where I was. I wasn't trying to trade in their drum beats for some bass, and that's because I loved what I was listening to.
Sometimes I get attached to an artist's CD, go to their concert, and feel I've been let down when their live performance doesn't measure up. This was definitely not the case with Alright, Junior. I was already having fun halfway through their soundcheck, and from the second they started playing, to the end of their set, I was hooked and entertained.
I feel like I should be commenting specifically on their lyrics, or the work of individual artists, but one of the things I liked most about Alright, Junior was how well everything came together. These guys know their music and they're in tune with what's going on with everyone else on stage, which results in a performance that just works. They're having a good time, they're doing great work, and this means that the audience just gets to really enjoy what's they're hearing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: go listen to their CD. You'll like it. And then you'll want to know when they're playing again - so, you'll be happy to discover they play in the area often. And you'll be even happier once you get yourself to their next show.
Now, in regards to that "and more!" in the column title - when I showed up at the Khyber tonight, I knew that there were some bands playing other than Alright, Junior, but that was about it. Within an hour of hanging out, I had purchased a CD and discovered a new (read: new to me) band.
The review continues after the jump...
Waheed (formerly known as Kameelah Waheed and Government Cheese) was the first band to play, but they quickly packed the floor and got the crowd into their performance.
Waheed is a self-described "rock, soul, funk, hip hop band," and well, that does sum them up. They were equally good at getting their audience to respond to their songs that were more rock-influenced as they were at getting everyone into their hip hop material, though, to be honest, almost all of their songs drew from both genres (and much more). By the end of their set, I was excited enough to rush the woman selling their CDs and getting email addresses for them, so I could simultaneously sign up for their mailing list and shove my $5 at her to buy a CD. When their performance dates in May roll around, I will be just as excited to alert you all to their shows.
Image via sonicbids.com.
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