Los Campesinos! @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC 11/30/07
NOTE: We're gonna start bylining concert reviews because duh.
By Amrit
This is a good time to see Los Campesinos!, 2007's best newcomers, they who bested vets in quality songs over the spare minutes of an EP and a three-track single alone. At least, it's a good time to see the Welshboys and girls (ranging somewhere in the 20-22 year old range) in the States, that time where they've got momentum and confidence and popularity (Bowery was nearly full -- reminder, these kids don't even have a full-length out yet) and more humility than they can contain ("flattered" and "amazed" to come across the Atlantic to this room, and this many people). The Ballroom was just their third show in NYC, and already there's signs of stage-life approaching the perfect mix between pretension and pop struck on their records; if Lolla's Campesinos! set saw their cheer! sand down the rough edges, Friday night had the stage-spanning septet let a little of the craft do the shouting. Not too much, mind -- it's still all infectious enthusiasm and smiled witticisms and jaggedly excited changes over guitar-gazing precision -- but enough to notice.
There are bloggeriffic elements in abundance (many members and shouts, glockenspiels and strings, and yes the exclamation points), but they're pulling from a less accelerated, more treasured time in North American indie rock, as much as they are BSS (see: produced by Dave Newfeld) or any other. The Campesinos! are well listened and they're young enough to wear it loud, from well chosen covers to cracking wise about Ian MacKaye. As for others' music, we didn't get their cover of Black Flag's "Police Story" (for that we'll just have to wait 'til tonight Dirty Projectors show), but we did get their take on Pavement's "Frontwards." So much style that it's wasted...
Los Campesinos! - "Don't Tell Me To Do The Math(s)" (MP3)
Sticking Fingers Into Sockets and "The International Tweexcore Underground" made 'em our rookies of the year. Look out for a full length Hold On Now, Youngster... in '08 via Arts & Crafts. Until then, sate your Los desires with pics and a couple few videos after the jump.
"The International Tweexcore Underground"
"You! Me! Dancing!"
"We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives"
Posted at 10:09 AM in Concert, MP3
Tags: Los Campesinos!
I never cared about Keenan McCardell...
...Jimmy Smith just never did anything for me...
pick your own wide receiver to substitute it. so best.
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That redhead is hot!!! Can I change my vote for Ms. Indie 2007.
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Don't tell me to do the maths is a fun little song... I always like a good duet :)
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I’m going to be that person and point out that while the band is based in Wales, none of the members are, in fact, Welsh.
All cute as hell, though.
k thnx
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Absolutely the best new band of 2007. I didn't know they had hit the states at all yet. I am so excited for them to come to California.
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