 Belle and Sebastian & Momus @ Metro, Chicago, USA Though they seemed like the best band ever upon discovery (and of course I discovered them "first"), Belle & Sebastian is fast becoming one of the most
frustrating and disillusioning bands around. Excitement for seeing them live was enough
to drag myself and a few friends out to
see the show, but there seemed to be agreement that the show indicated a
lame future for the band. We love their records, but it feels like maybe
they've gotten too hip too soon, or perhaps too many desperate white kids
have latched on to them as the next "true alternative" band. B&S are all
that: If You're Feeling Sinister is a great record and the new one (The
Boy With the Arab Strap) is spotty but also good. But the new album, coupled with
some very good but very precious EPs is starting to make me think maybe
the band is just another "in crowd." Certainly their recent appearance
at the Metro reinforced that impression.
My problem is this: it's wonderful to have things like
"integrity" and "goodness" when it matters, but when you're on stage in
front of 1,500 people, you better be prepared to rock out, or at least put on a show. Belle &
Sebastian seem to think that they can take their intimate,
college-kids-and-their-friends approach to the road, and I must say it
doesn't quite work. Don't get me wrong … I was very pleased to be able
to see the band, and I'm not disappointed that I went … but I say, if
you're not ready to put on a show, stay the fuck away from showbizness.
You can always just make albums; no one's forcing you to tour.
Problem #1: The band switched instruments between almost every
song, causing great delays during which a capacity crowd just stood
there, awaiting something. This led to …
Problem #2: Too many delays, and the "smart" people in the crowd
start shouting things out. And considering that B&S's fans are sort of
like grown-up They Might Be Giants fans, but perhaps with a bit lower
self-esteem, this made for some awkward moments.
Problem #3: Fixed set list (no requests), different for every
show. Who is this designed to please, except for the band (in which case
it's a serious self-indulgence) or set list-obsessed Internet fans? ("Oh
my GOD they played THAT in MINNEAPOLIS!?!?!") I appreciate a band that's
willing to play obscure material, but you gotta play the "hits" too.
Problem #4: Too many unrecognizable songs. Okay, you have only
two albums in print, and yet you play loads of unreleased songs live? Please! You're a pop band, not Prince.
Problem #5: Opening act put on a better show. Momus turned in a highly memorable, kind of bizarre performance that encapsulated show-tuney swing, Britpop, music hall crooning, and junior-high pottymouth. Truly inaccessible, yet he had the crowd roaring with
applause and laughter. Belle & Sebastian just left us there gawking.
Problem #6: No encores. "The food is terrible here … and in
such small portions!"
How was the show, then? So-so. Stuart Murdoch has an amazing
voice, and writes some great songs, but the "genius" tag is a bit diluted
with some of this new material. One more album and B&S will prove
themselves to be the next Sundays. Stage presence was spotty, sometimes
very charming and funny, other times incomprehensible and/or smugly
standoffish. The band really needs to tighten up and just choose a fixed
lineup. Highlights included "Seeing Other People" (successful despite a
bad sound mix) and the closing song, which escapes me now, but which had
some impressive guitar playing. Not a great show, but I'm
hardly crying. Still, I renew my vow to stop seeing white rock shows.
Review by Jane Boone |