Well, Montreal-based Plants and Animals (myspace, website) absolutely killed last night at Mercury Lounge. I first heard them from the balcony at Warsaw waiting for Spencer Krug's side-project Wolf Parade last year - the trio immediately won me over and completely upstaged the headliner in a Bob Marley/Sly Stone kind of way. ["The Wailers were fired after 4 shows because they were more popular then they band the opened for, the crowd often chanted "Wail-ers" well into the Sly and the Family Stone set."]
I heard traces of Afrobeat (minus the horns) in some of their uptempo numbers last night, but that's probably just because I've been listening to a lot of Fela lately? They've got dramatic but not overly grandiose arrangements, great vocal harmonies, irresistible hooks, and an endearingly awkward stage presence that's so Canadian it hurts your eyes to look at them.
Phenomenal set, despite the broken strings, which left time for an absurd drum solo/one-word audience sing-along. (The word was, inexplicably, 'Poison.') They play again tonight (with Rock Plaza Central) at Union Hall. Their new album, Parc Avenue, is stellar; listen to one song.
Aaaand buy. Here's an interview on the BeeV.
Oh, and that top button stayed buttoned the entire set, despite a completely sweat-drenched shirt. That's commitment.
It is a good story. But look!*
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