I wish I could say that I was a giant Cursive or Tim Kinsella fan when I was younger. That I wrote them fan letters in high school and debated with my girlfriend which Tim was better. Didn't happen. Both Cap'n Jazz/Joan of Arc/Make Believe and Cursive are relatively new discoveries for me, and while I enjoy all of it to varying degrees, I have hardly the depth or background on these guys to really have a say on how they are now compared to my more impressionable years. So with whatever room there is left for a new Cursive/Make Believe fan, that is where I'm coming from.
MB came on first. Tim Kinsella these days looks like Andrew Krucoff doing a Michael Showalter impersonation. So says Joey. This is not easy stuff to wrap your head around when hearing much of it for the first time, but it came across pretty well. I think it's easier to swallow on record for the most part, than live. There were as many hits as misses, but the common denominator through all the songs is his unbelievable, distressed, post (or pre?)-emo voice. When he really lets it go, it can send chills.
The kids love Cursive. More than I ever realized until this show sold out before I even knew it went on sale. They're real good live, as I'm sure you all know. Tim Kasher is excellent songwriter with a great great voice and has the personality to carry it on stage. Lots of finger wagging and deep, shifty eyes in these songs. He rambled on for quite a bit at times, going on and on about everything from movies ("I ain't no rotten tomatoes...but the new Superman? *thumbs down*") to reverse crowd heckling ("YOU talk less and rock more!") He keeps up this half-sarcastic self confident persona throughout the set which is unavoidably engaging. If nothing else, I can understand the appeal. I really just love going to shows where everyone shouts along to best parts.
Some meh pictures from the show up on flickr.
and ur a failure by design, yes u r!
Posted by: | July 11, 2006 at 06:56 PM