Much of that disc, Resolver, was showcased Tuesday night at The Bottleneck, where the 2000-model Salt played a set that shared the pleading tenor of its Web site. Post's stridently vituperative new songs are aimed mainly at Gordon, treating her more like a lover than a bantam. Unfortunately, these tunes are not especially interesting melodically, leaving the burden on Post's delivery and words. Post did her part, with strong vocals, but she could not overcome the band's overall sloppiness. Over the course of a night, even the older Salt songs, including "Seether" and "Spiderman," gained the same spurned edge. But rather than add momentum or heat, Post's insistent displeasure caused the set to suffer from a nondescript sameness.
The newest Saltine, bass player Suzie Solo, has not yet filled the role of onstage foil for Post. Neither could guitarist Steven Fitzpatrick do much to enliven the band's presence. The feeling that Post should not have bothered to keep the band name alive seemed to occur to some of the crowd, which was indifferent to the Resolver material. Of the unfamiliar tunes, "Used to Know Her" was the most effective, but unfortunately this marked the only occasion when Post's highly personal songwriting was met by a band tuned to her channel.
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