Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter
As Jesse Sykes took her time with the melancholic, yet-to-be-released song “The Air Is Thin” Saturday at the Gothic Theatre, it almost felt as if something or somebody else took over her role as bandleader and lyrical goddess for a few moments – a spirit, maybe.
Sykes and her tight band were feeling the spirit during the elongated set, and the song started out as a meditative folk song. A few minutes into the track the mood lightened, the lights got brighter and the air got … thinner? As Sykes’ band chimed in, “O, the air is thin,” it was obvious the group was feeling something deeper than your average jam session. The audience was thoroughly captivated, which is saying something for an opening act playing an unreleased song. But maybe they had a little help? |Ricardo Baca
Lupe Fiasco
Few things are more exhilarating than catching gifted artists on their way up, and Saturday’s concert at the Fillmore Auditorium proved it. Lupe Fiasco justified the hype surrounding his budding career and excellent album “Food & Liquor.”
He opened the Roots concert with the confidence and blazingly fast MC skills of a seasoned vet. It’s no wonder Jay-Z and Kanye West have lauded him. Fiasco’s smart, tongue-twisting flows and electric stage presence literally sent chills through me on songs like “American Terrorist” and the single “Kick, Push.”
The majority of the crowd knew the lyrics, too, making the singalongs genuinely communal. The crowd’s positive energy reached a fever pitch as the Roots appeared at the back of the room, snaking their way through the venue conga-line style with a tuba and several cowbells. That Fiasco nearly stole the show from them testifies to his incredible talent. |John Wenzel
Hot IQs
It’s called groundswell, Denver. And yes, the local music scene is enjoying itself.
Saturday’s excellent all-local bill at the Bluebird sold out thanks to Hot IQs, Mr. Pacman, Cowboy Curse, Lion Sized and fans who recognize the immense talent.
Headlining the show, Hot IQs managed their set with equal parts pop confidence and rock ‘n’ roll swagger. Especially apparent in the excellent new single “Follow the Architecture,” singer Eli Mishkin is an assault of rock exuberance. The song has emerged as the band’s most exciting live track – thanks, in part, to Mishkin’s song-ending yelp about geometry, teeth marks and right angles. And if that’s not rock ‘n’ roll … |Ricardo Baca
The Shins
“New Slang,” touted by Natalie Portman’s character in “Garden State” as a song that would “change your life,” seemed to garner the most reaction from the young-skewing audience at the Shins’ Feb. 15 Fillmore show.
Tunes from the new disc “Wincing the Night” were, as on the album, solid but unspectacular, pleasant breezes of melody without any real grit behind them. The most satisfying moments came when the band veered from the recorded versions, especially on the punched-up “Gone for Good,” a country-inflected tune from the Shins’ best overall release, “Chutes Too Narrow.” |John Wenzel
The Ettes
When this Los Angeles band launched into “Reputation” on Tuesday night at the Larimer Lounge, it took a short spell for lead singer Coco’s vocals to find their way to the audience. Even though this is only a three-piece, the thickness and musical density is a testament to their love of garage rock and ’60s music.
The band’s fashion and music – both neo-’60s – made for a stimulating night, almost as if Nancy Sinatra were hired to be a Bond girl against the soundtrack of seductive espionage-garage rock. |Ricardo Baca
