To blatantly rip off Marvy’s “Why New Order Rock” thread, I’m sending up this dedication to BSP, a band that I’m as jacked up for as any in a long long time. Yeah, you’ve likely heard this from me before, but why? I’ve been listening to a ton of BSP to get ready for their concert. Instead of wearing on me, I discover amazing things with every listen. It’s seeping deep inside me! Just to say that they’ve given me renewed hope and excitement for great guitar-driven new wave-inspired alterno pop rock isn’t enough.
First, no one launches into songs lately with as many amazing intro riffs. Check out some ~30sec clips...loud! These might be absolute rockers like <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/01rememberme.mp3">Remember Me</a>
(NOTE: these links are now dead)
…or anthemic soarers like <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/02itendedonanoilystage.mp3">It Ended on a Oily Stage</a>
…or just fabulously jangly toe-tappers like <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/03alovelydaytomorrow.mp3">A Lovely Day Tomorrow</a>
…or lush dreamscapes like <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/04tugboat.mp3">Tugboat</a>.
I also alternate from eagerly anticipating a killer melodic chorus to being engrossed by deep intelligent verse to being blown away by shimmering instrumental interludes. These guys just write some damn good songs that don’t sound like much else right now.
Melodic choruses? <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/05thelonely.mp3">The Lonely</a> just slays me
…and it’s all I can do not to pound my feet and sing out <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/06pleasestandup.mp3">Please Stand Up</a> in public.
Riffs and interludes? These guys are craftsmen. <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/07likeahoneycomb.mp3">Like a Honeycomb</a> is so quietly powerful, it makes me ache
…while <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/08ohlarsenb.mp3">Oh Larsen B</a> sends out U2-like marching orders!
And how about verses so literate and consuming that you want them to keep telling the story on and on?! “North Hanging Rock” stuns…
Drape yourself in greenery
Become part of the scenery
Ever since time immemorial
It's all stored up in chemicals
Witness the demolition of boy in prime condition
Into the dust, we will descend
Or the Carlos Castaneda-like trip of “True Adventures”…
Turgid calls the winter charge
True adventures of awaking hearts
Nights are overwhelmed by gloom
We will see foxes in the moon
Valleys drop, mountains rise
Lift your head, brave the skies
All of the forgotten names
Lakes are forming on the pockets of your brain…
….Senescence or senility
How long until you sleep?
Discarded for all it's worth
Now it's quiet under this fresh earth
Jeez, is this guy channeling Ian Curtis?! And to hear that their singer Yan performs in an intense, ready to explode trance…fuggedabaahdit! How can they possibly meet my concert expectations?!
But these guys have it all my friends. I hope you’ll sample.
| Site Announcements |
|---|
|
View the results of the New Wave Outpost 20th Anniversary Top Songs Poll here: http://www.nwoutpost.com/poll/results Coming Soon: Top Albums Poll. Stay tuned! Welcome to the new forum! If you are a previously registered user, you must do the following: 1) Click on 'I forgot my password' at the login prompt 2) Enter your username and email you registered with and submit 3) You will receive an email with an activation link. Please click it and then log in using the random password provided 4) Go to your User Control Panel and click on the Profile tab 5) Click on 'Edit Account Settings' and enter your new password twice followed by the random password provided earlier. Click Submit. 6) That's it...you're back in! You may have to log in again with your new password. If you forgot your email address, please email me (MikeP) at: mikepaulsen12@gmail.com Note: you must now use bb code buttons in the Post form for embedded images, YouTube videos, etc. For example, to post embedded YouTube videos: paste in the link (e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?XYZ1234567), highlight it and then click the YouTube button. |
Why British Sea Power ROCK!
14 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Why British Sea Power ROCK!
by Frau_Blucher » Fri May 13, 2005 6:12 am
- Frau_Blucher
- Room at the Top
- Posts: 10195
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location:
by cubby » Fri May 13, 2005 6:23 am
I highly agree Blir. I can't wait for the show in Philly tonite. One of the stupid music critics in the Philadelphia paper today totally trashed them. She said they use props and costumes to hide their bland music. She basically said the only reason you should go to the show was to see the opener Feist. She claims she will blow BSP out of the water. I have 2 words for her, F**K HER. These are the same people who claim Eminem is a genius. I only hope tonite they perform Remember Me, Carrion and Like A Honeycomb.
- cubby
- The Jet Set
- Posts: 629
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:39 am
- Location: USA
by Frau_Blucher » Fri May 13, 2005 6:33 am
[quote][i]Originally posted by cubby[/i]
<br>I highly agree Blir. I can't wait for the show in Philly tonite. One of the stupid music critics in the Philadelphia paper today totally trashed them. She said they use props and costumes to hide their bland music. She basically said the only reason you should go to the show was to see the opener Feist. She claims she will blow BSP out of the water. I have 2 words for her, F**K HER. These are the same people who claim Eminem is a genius. I only hope tonite they perform Remember Me, Carrion and Like A Honeycomb.
[/quote]
That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. I really like Feist, but it'll be interesting to see if she can be more than a glorified lounge act in person. But that's immaterial - this is a personal thing. I hope you are AMPED for the show tonight! I forget who in NYC was going Saturday or Sunday?
<br>I highly agree Blir. I can't wait for the show in Philly tonite. One of the stupid music critics in the Philadelphia paper today totally trashed them. She said they use props and costumes to hide their bland music. She basically said the only reason you should go to the show was to see the opener Feist. She claims she will blow BSP out of the water. I have 2 words for her, F**K HER. These are the same people who claim Eminem is a genius. I only hope tonite they perform Remember Me, Carrion and Like A Honeycomb.
[/quote]
That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. I really like Feist, but it'll be interesting to see if she can be more than a glorified lounge act in person. But that's immaterial - this is a personal thing. I hope you are AMPED for the show tonight! I forget who in NYC was going Saturday or Sunday?
- Frau_Blucher
- Room at the Top
- Posts: 10195
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location:
by cubby » Sat May 14, 2005 1:57 am
Well, saw BSP last night in Philly. And all I can say is that THEY ROCKED!!! Blir and anyone going to see them tonite and tomorrow in NYC, you will not be disappointed. They sounded great. I was really suprised at how great they were live especially for a band so young. I won't give away the setlist; but it was a nice mix from both "The Decline Of" and "Open Season". They did 2 songs that I was unfamilar with. I know the one was "Spirit of St. Louis" and the other one had something to do with being a bird. Blir, is that one of their b-sides? I can also see the Ian Curtis comparisons with lead singer Yan. He definitely has some of his stage presence. The highlights for me were "Remember Me", "Carrion" and "Apologies To Insect Life". The crowd for the most part were appreciative. A lot of them seemed unfamilar with the band. I guess the $10 tik price attracted a lot of them. Opening act Feist was ok. She has a nice voice; but not really my type of music. And contrary to what the review in the Philly paper predicted. She did not blow BSP off the stage. So, guys you are in for a good show. Blir, we will have to compare notes after the Boston show. Enjoy the show guys!!!
- cubby
- The Jet Set
- Posts: 629
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:39 am
- Location: USA
by Frau_Blucher » Sat May 14, 2005 4:17 am
Thanks Cubby! That's GREAT to hear!!! I am juiced!
Maybe that track was "Birdy" from the Remember Me EP? That's a good one to get if you're looking for more material. There's also a nice Japanese EP called Spirit of St Louis with some very good highlights. "Spirit..." itself isn't all that great IMHO, but the aforementioned "Tugboat" and both the female and Czech versions of "A Lovely Day Tomorrow" are awesome. Jason can fix you up with both of disks at the Ideal Copy:
http://idealcopy.american-data.net/Merc ... shSeaPower
And JustJohn, I want a Bowery report! Mine's Monday in Boston.
Maybe that track was "Birdy" from the Remember Me EP? That's a good one to get if you're looking for more material. There's also a nice Japanese EP called Spirit of St Louis with some very good highlights. "Spirit..." itself isn't all that great IMHO, but the aforementioned "Tugboat" and both the female and Czech versions of "A Lovely Day Tomorrow" are awesome. Jason can fix you up with both of disks at the Ideal Copy:
http://idealcopy.american-data.net/Merc ... shSeaPower
And JustJohn, I want a Bowery report! Mine's Monday in Boston.
- Frau_Blucher
- Room at the Top
- Posts: 10195
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location:
by Frau_Blucher » Tue May 17, 2005 3:24 am
Well, if my ownership of the set list with autographs is any indication, I had an insanely great time at the BSP concert at the Cambridge Middle East club!!! [:p]
<img src="http://www.pbase.com/myirwin/image/43506197.jpg">
Yup, there I was, right at stagefront with a bunch of kids half my age, quick to grab the set list and autographs aftewards. "Leaving Here" is actually the first lines from How Will I Ever Find My Way Back Home and "A Rock" is the largely improvised Rock in A as opposed to in C which I’ve heard they’ve also done. Whatever it was, the lengthy Lately/A Rock finale was an absolutely riotous and satisfying ending to a great concert. It started well with the decent local band Bon Savants and a very engaging and entertaining Feist (lot of young Patti Smith in her).
The most enduring impression I had of BSP was “Wow, these guys are reeeeally young yet are SO tight and confident.” Brothers Yan and Hamilton draw the most attention and ooze charisma. Yan fully met my expectations as a stoic but intense and learned-looking lead singer and rhythm guitarist. Hamilton on base was wildly energetic, swinging his axe right above my head on several occasions. I was deliriously singing along to every track (with the kids probably wondering who the hell this old idiot was!).
Noble was the real eye-opener on lead guitar. He’s a serious talent and can seemingly bust out stadium-sized riffs with the best of them. Woody on drums was completely wild. He seemed on the verge of losing control several times but always pulled it together. Eamon on keyboards and the occasional roaming marching snare and 3rd guitar is kinda the goofy Ringo Starr of the group but really fills out the live sound.
Despite omissions of two personal favorites, The Lonely and Like A Honeycomb, I could not have a handpicked a better set list. After just screaming through the doors with their momentous first three tracks, I couldn’t see how they were going to sustain – my teeth were already chattering! But they did…and then some.
My BSP-noobie friend was mightily impressed with the supremely well-crafted Childhood Memories. Yan and Hamilton then switched both vocal and guitar duties to deliver a sweetly melodious Leaving Here and Blackout. Hamilton’s more boyish voice and higher register fit them perfectly. Then after the pop pleaser Please Stand Up, they treated us to my highlight of the show, a mind-expanding North Hanging Rock that started quietly intense and built into a multi-layered crescendo.
The rest was just an absolute crunching march to the finale with the band really showing off a lot of arena rock-inflected sensibilities. Woody’s drums on Fear of Drowning were phenomenal. Yan’s opening shout-out of Fear of Drowning's “Jesus F&*king Christ Oh God No!” had the front row violently shaking their heads and pogoing. I thought my head was really going to explode when the entire band simultaneously blasted into the explosive opening of Carrion. Then complete chaos ensued toward the end of an epic 15+ minute Lately/Rock mix, with lots of thrashing and wild abandon. No falsely presumptuous encore – they let it all hang out and left. Perfect!
The final highlight – driving off Green Street after the concert and seeing Yan and Noble next to their bus and getting the autographs. They seemed genuinely delighted to do so, and I still can’t get over their curious sendoff – repeated thank-you’s to me and waves goodbye, just like little kids who were having the times of their lives!
<img src="http://www.pbase.com/myirwin/image/43506197.jpg">
Yup, there I was, right at stagefront with a bunch of kids half my age, quick to grab the set list and autographs aftewards. "Leaving Here" is actually the first lines from How Will I Ever Find My Way Back Home and "A Rock" is the largely improvised Rock in A as opposed to in C which I’ve heard they’ve also done. Whatever it was, the lengthy Lately/A Rock finale was an absolutely riotous and satisfying ending to a great concert. It started well with the decent local band Bon Savants and a very engaging and entertaining Feist (lot of young Patti Smith in her).
The most enduring impression I had of BSP was “Wow, these guys are reeeeally young yet are SO tight and confident.” Brothers Yan and Hamilton draw the most attention and ooze charisma. Yan fully met my expectations as a stoic but intense and learned-looking lead singer and rhythm guitarist. Hamilton on base was wildly energetic, swinging his axe right above my head on several occasions. I was deliriously singing along to every track (with the kids probably wondering who the hell this old idiot was!).
Noble was the real eye-opener on lead guitar. He’s a serious talent and can seemingly bust out stadium-sized riffs with the best of them. Woody on drums was completely wild. He seemed on the verge of losing control several times but always pulled it together. Eamon on keyboards and the occasional roaming marching snare and 3rd guitar is kinda the goofy Ringo Starr of the group but really fills out the live sound.
Despite omissions of two personal favorites, The Lonely and Like A Honeycomb, I could not have a handpicked a better set list. After just screaming through the doors with their momentous first three tracks, I couldn’t see how they were going to sustain – my teeth were already chattering! But they did…and then some.
My BSP-noobie friend was mightily impressed with the supremely well-crafted Childhood Memories. Yan and Hamilton then switched both vocal and guitar duties to deliver a sweetly melodious Leaving Here and Blackout. Hamilton’s more boyish voice and higher register fit them perfectly. Then after the pop pleaser Please Stand Up, they treated us to my highlight of the show, a mind-expanding North Hanging Rock that started quietly intense and built into a multi-layered crescendo.
The rest was just an absolute crunching march to the finale with the band really showing off a lot of arena rock-inflected sensibilities. Woody’s drums on Fear of Drowning were phenomenal. Yan’s opening shout-out of Fear of Drowning's “Jesus F&*king Christ Oh God No!” had the front row violently shaking their heads and pogoing. I thought my head was really going to explode when the entire band simultaneously blasted into the explosive opening of Carrion. Then complete chaos ensued toward the end of an epic 15+ minute Lately/Rock mix, with lots of thrashing and wild abandon. No falsely presumptuous encore – they let it all hang out and left. Perfect!
The final highlight – driving off Green Street after the concert and seeing Yan and Noble next to their bus and getting the autographs. They seemed genuinely delighted to do so, and I still can’t get over their curious sendoff – repeated thank-you’s to me and waves goodbye, just like little kids who were having the times of their lives!
- Frau_Blucher
- Room at the Top
- Posts: 10195
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location:
by cubby » Tue May 17, 2005 3:35 am
Great review of the show Blir. The setlist is almost the same as Philly's with the exception "Fear of Drowning". During the encore, did Noble put one of their banners over himself and surf the crowd? He did in Philly; in fact the crowd almost dropped him a few times. Definitely a concert highlight of the last few years. Can't wait to see them again!!
- cubby
- The Jet Set
- Posts: 629
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:39 am
- Location: USA
by Frau_Blucher » Tue May 17, 2005 3:42 am
[quote][i]Originally posted by cubby[/i]
<br>Great review of the show Blir. The setlist is almost the same as Philly's with the exception "Fear of Drowning". During the encore, did Noble put one of their banners over himself and surf the crowd? He did in Philly; in fact the crowd almost dropped him a few times. Definitely a concert highlight of the last few years. Can't wait to see them again!!
[/quote]
Wow! Crazy Noble! He didn't do that here but performed headstands, wrestled with Yan, spit water at us, and did amazingly abusive things to the whammy bar on his Gibson. Yan used the overhead pipes to swing out over the crown but not into it. Eamon jumped into the crowed right next to me to bang his snare through the crowd.
But right, definatley can't wait to see them again.
<br>Great review of the show Blir. The setlist is almost the same as Philly's with the exception "Fear of Drowning". During the encore, did Noble put one of their banners over himself and surf the crowd? He did in Philly; in fact the crowd almost dropped him a few times. Definitely a concert highlight of the last few years. Can't wait to see them again!!
[/quote]
Wow! Crazy Noble! He didn't do that here but performed headstands, wrestled with Yan, spit water at us, and did amazingly abusive things to the whammy bar on his Gibson. Yan used the overhead pipes to swing out over the crown but not into it. Eamon jumped into the crowed right next to me to bang his snare through the crowd.
But right, definatley can't wait to see them again.
- Frau_Blucher
- Room at the Top
- Posts: 10195
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location:
by Frau_Blucher » Tue May 17, 2005 3:43 am
[quote][i]Originally posted by cubby[/i]
<br>Great review of the show Blir. The setlist is almost the same as Philly's with the exception "Fear of Drowning". During the encore, did Noble put one of their banners over himself and surf the crowd? He did in Philly; in fact the crowd almost dropped him a few times. Definitely a concert highlight of the last few years. Can't wait to see them again!!
[/quote]
Oh yeah, do you think the lack of Fear of Drowning had anything to do with the "Jesus F&*king Christ" line and your venue...the 1st Unitarian Church?!!! [:0]
<br>Great review of the show Blir. The setlist is almost the same as Philly's with the exception "Fear of Drowning". During the encore, did Noble put one of their banners over himself and surf the crowd? He did in Philly; in fact the crowd almost dropped him a few times. Definitely a concert highlight of the last few years. Can't wait to see them again!!
[/quote]
Oh yeah, do you think the lack of Fear of Drowning had anything to do with the "Jesus F&*king Christ" line and your venue...the 1st Unitarian Church?!!! [:0]
- Frau_Blucher
- Room at the Top
- Posts: 10195
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location:
by cubby » Tue May 17, 2005 4:32 am
[quote][i]Originally posted by Blir[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by cubby[/i]
<br>Great review of the show Blir. The setlist is almost the same as Philly's with the exception "Fear of Drowning". During the encore, did Noble put one of their banners over himself and surf the crowd? He did in Philly; in fact the crowd almost dropped him a few times. Definitely a concert highlight of the last few years. Can't wait to see them again!!
[/quote]
Oh yeah, do you think the lack of Fear of Drowning had anything to do with the "Jesus F&*king Christ" line and your venue...the 1st Unitarian Church?!!! [:0]
[/quote]
Yeah, it may have. Eamon did bang his snare through the crowd. In fact, he walked right by me. As I said before, great show!!!
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by cubby[/i]
<br>Great review of the show Blir. The setlist is almost the same as Philly's with the exception "Fear of Drowning". During the encore, did Noble put one of their banners over himself and surf the crowd? He did in Philly; in fact the crowd almost dropped him a few times. Definitely a concert highlight of the last few years. Can't wait to see them again!!
[/quote]
Oh yeah, do you think the lack of Fear of Drowning had anything to do with the "Jesus F&*king Christ" line and your venue...the 1st Unitarian Church?!!! [:0]
[/quote]
Yeah, it may have. Eamon did bang his snare through the crowd. In fact, he walked right by me. As I said before, great show!!!
- cubby
- The Jet Set
- Posts: 629
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:39 am
- Location: USA
by Frau_Blucher » Tue Dec 06, 2005 10:18 pm
Juuuuust in case there are indeed any other BSP fans out there, this review of their November club tour gives a great sense to why they have such a manic, albeit small, following in some parts. Man I wish I could have been a part of this...
http://members.aol.com/brilliantinebsp/third20.html
http://members.aol.com/brilliantinebsp/third20.html
- Frau_Blucher
- Room at the Top
- Posts: 10195
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location:
14 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Concert & Album Reviews / Interviews
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests