The Octopus Project,This Will Destroy You, Ume
Granada Theater
May 23, 2009
Better Than: Watching three exuberant non-Texas bands trying to have some fun on a Saturday night
Three Texas bands delivered well-crafted, wildly diverse music to an appreciative audience at the Granada on Saturday night.
Opener Ume provided a tight set of riff-driven power rock. Guitarist/vocalist Lauren Larsen tossed off complex riffs with amazing fluidness--although, for too much of the set, her amazing riffs and vocals were lost in the sound mix.
Larsen's one of those guitarists for whom the instrument is a seemingly natural extension of her body; she plays with a combination of ferocity and ease.
Following Ume was This Will Destroy You, whose epic post-rock songs
were dense, swelling and as thunderous as a spring storm in Texas. This band continually improves, and Saturday's performance was
mesmerizing.
The evening closed with a completely different take on
indie instrumental rock--this one bouncy fun--delivered by Octopus
Project.
The quartet of multi-instrumentalists seemed determined for
everyone to have fun. And how can you not smile, watching band member Yvonne Lambert
do her magic on a Theremin? It helped, of course that, accompanying the music, was a zany visual
show.
Three excellent bands, three musical
styles, one great night.
Critic's Notebook:
Random Note: There's more to Ume's Larsen than than guitar chops: She's close to earning her Ph.D in sociology, although she's temporarily shelved her studies to focus
on music.
Check out more photos from the show in our slideshow.
