Show Review: The Walkmen - 3/12/07

My friends and I discussed The Walkmen after seeing them play at the Southgate House Monday night. It was interesting. We unanimously agreed that we liked this band a lot but not one of us owned any of their albums. Why is that?


Youtube Link
MP3 - They're Winning (Live - 3/12/07)

Their overall sound is distinctive and consistent. It would make sense for a Walkmen album to be good. Any album with a song as amazing as "The Rat" is probably worth owning.


Youtube Link
MP3 - The Rat (Live - 3/12/07)

And maybe that's the problem. "The Rat" is just too good. They set the bar so high, it makes every other song seem worse than it is. "Louisiana" is off their most recent album and I like it a lot, but when you play it next to "The Rat," it comes off as tame.


Youtube Link
MP3 - Louisiana (Live - 3/12/07)

On one hand, I would never ask for an album of ten variations on "The Rat." On the other hand, how awesome would that be?My friends and I discussed The Walkmen after seeing them play at the Southgate House Monday night. It was interesting. We unanimously agreed that we liked this band a lot but not one of us owned any of their albums. Why is that?


Youtube Link
MP3 - They're Winning (Live - 3/12/07)

Their overall sound is distinctive and consistent. It would make sense for a Walkmen album to be good. Any album with a song as amazing as "The Rat" is probably worth owning.


Youtube Link
MP3 - The Rat (Live - 3/12/07)

And maybe that's the problem. "The Rat" is just too good. They set the bar so high, it makes every other song seem worse than it is. "Louisiana" is off their most recent album and I like it a lot, but when you play it next to "The Rat," it comes off as tame.


Youtube Link
MP3 - Louisiana (Live - 3/12/07)

On one hand, I would never ask for an album of ten variations on "The Rat." On the other hand, how awesome would that be?

Live: Page France "Hat and Rabbit" 3.8.07

I went and saw Page France play last night in a small room on the second floor of the Southgate House. And I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but feel that Michael Nau's voice reminded me of someone else. And as admittedly ridiculous as it sounds, the names that came to mind were Jeff Magnum, Hutch Harris, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash. What an annoying bunch of comparisons, right? I can't believe I just typed that...

But honestly, what I'm trying to get at is it's this guy's voice that sets this band apart. He finds new and simple melodies, conveys emotion without feeling forced, and writes lyrics that paint pictures. "Hat and Rabbit" will be the first single off their new album, ...and the Family Telephone, and I like it a lot.


Youtube Link
MP3 - Hat and Rabbit (Live - 3.9.07)
Youtube Link
MP3 - Hat and Rabbit (Live - 3.9.07)

Page France - website|myspace