Saturday, January 17, 2009

Los Campesinos y Titus Andronicus @ the Ottobar 1/15/09

Opening act Titus Andronicus launched into a full-throttle set that seemed to die between songs, such as when lead man knocked over a tower of equipment (some of which belonged to Los Campesinos apparently) and they waited on help to restack and evaluate damage. The set was sprinkled with a couple of excellent songs that made full use of the band's Stones-y riffs and caterwauling vocals, culminating in a topnotch cover of the Modern Lovers' "Roadrunner." The caterwauling vocals grew tiresome in some of the songs, but with the right amount of energy for context, like in the their self-titled, final song, it works.

Los Campesinos responded with a similar energy level, but with a sound that's both more compelling and more innocent. The adrenaline level increased throughout the set (despite the absence of the violinist, who was too ill to make the trip from Wales on this first date of the US tour). The great, building intro to "You! Me! Dancing!" was one of those magical, can't-wipe-the-smile-off-your-face show moments that make it all worthwhile.

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