isn’t as sad as you’d imagine. And on Thursday night at the , the singer-songwriter — who just released the emotionally tortured “I Never Learn” — seemed to be uncharacteristically happy.
The 28-year-old Swede, born Li Lykke Timotej Svensson Zachrisson, is winding up her 2014 U.S. dates supporting her third album, “I Never Learn.” Released in May, it tones down the synths and Spector-esque hammer of the gods percussion heard on her earlier records. The draws now are her increasingly expressive voice and some of the most gut-wrenching heartbreak songs since Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black.”
On Thursday at the Ogden, Lykke Li opened with a loud, attention-grabbing, minute or so, electronic intro — the first of many ethereal, almost psych (Psychy Li?), moments. It segued into “I Never Learn,” and chiming acoustic guitars and subtle keyboards carried the song under a far more vocally confident Lykke Li, and her crack, five piece band’s choir-like vocals.
“Sadness Is A Blessing” followed — her voice nearly cracking perfectly, pleading “I begged him not to go –oh-oh” in that song’s most poignant part. Going in, you might have assumed that song would be the evening’s theme. It wasn’t. Starting with a powerful, “No Rest For The Wicked,” Thursday’s show wasn’t all melodrama. Less destroyed than her album would suggest, Lykke Li’s stage persona leaned operatic and cheerful.
In fact, she was in very good spirits and, atypically, chatty, asking if people were stoned and confessing that she was a terrible dancer. (She’s not, and proved it later on during “I Follow Rivers.”) When she wasn’t moving like an all clad-in-black whirling dervish, she played cymbals or, looking like a Mad Monk, posed, arms out-stretched; standing in the light and the fog.
The difference between Thursday nightap performance and last month’s Red Rocks set was, literally and figuratively, night and day. Everything was blown-up large, made more powerful at the Ogden. As on the 2011 “Wounded Rhymes” tour, the stage production was worthy of a large arena show; fog machines, excellent lighting and Sonics. Each element: 100 percent bombastic, all in your eyes, ears and head.
While the set mostly featured power ballads from “I Never Learn”, Li also performed 2014 versions of early songs, like “Little Bit” (nothing coy or fey about this take) and “Dance, Dance, Dance.” She covered Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire,” interpreted in a way you might expect her to sing and her band to play it. There were a few, brief extended instrumental parts with her guitarist shredding (ala Explosions In The Sky) beautifully.
“Letap take this moment and feel it together,” Li said, introducing “Youth Knows No Pain.” Ultimately, though, Thursday’s performance, while certainly very good and well-executed, lacked the emotional moments of the 2011 show. The crowd was definitely into the show, but rarely did the crowded Ogden Theatre crowd seem to commit fully. (Maybe thatap why Li asked if they were stoned.)
Follow our news and updates on , our relationship status on and our search history on . Or send us a telegram.
Mike Long is a Longmont-based writer and comedian and a regular contributor to Reverb.
Michael McGrath is a Denver area photographer. His work is available at . Visit .
