Kansas City band Lovers in Transit played its final show at the Brick last night to a fairly packed house. Here's some snaps by the intrepid Michael Forester.
My Two Cents On the Band's Demise:
Though the guys came up with some catchy hooks and were powerful musicians and able performers, their sound was dug too deeply into a trend that had run its course -- and a short course at that. It was the preening, pompous, broody, hate-me-'cause-I'm-sexy side of the New Wave/postpunk revival, represented by bands like the Bravery, the Killers and Interpol. Suitcore, it could be called, if the majority of its proponents could afford suits. And it wasn't a very rich mine to begin with. That it continues to generate new bands (Editors, Cities, last night's mediocre opener The Hourly Radio) is puzzling, because, honestly, who still enjoys this stuff? I'm not saying it's all crap -- the farther it moves from the eyelinered '80s, the better it usually is. But even the best of it demands to be taken seriously for acting serious, which invariably risks cheesiness. Picture a 22-year-old white guy standing in a dark nightclub, wearing a black suit with a red shirt, wishing he was German, hair spiked, eyeliner on, frowning sexily, synthesizers playing nearby. If you would apply the word "cool" to that image, then I can't help you. Lovers wasn't that over the top visually, of course, but their sound was undisassociable with all the melodramatic powderpuffery indicative of the pop they chose to play.
In short, I won't miss Lovers In Transit, but I will look forward to the NEW and FRESH things that these talented musicians will surely move onto.
Showing 1-12 of 12
your talking fashion, Jason. I'm talking sound. The National bore the fuck out of me...as does Interpol and their never-ending line of unoriginal disciples.
JH-
I doubt seriously that that's the Chadwick you're thinking of. He's not that kind of flamer. It's just not his style.
And for the record, JH is a fabulous karaoke performer, if there's such a thing.
I'm glad you got something out of my karaoke performance, Richard Burgess. I doubt, however, that you would accept my opinion on this band even if I was an incredible karaoke singer.
Chadwick, are you seriously dissing my karaoke? That's low, man. I thought we were karaoke brethren! I guess I'm not in your league. I don't even deserve to watch you perform "I Want Your Sex" for the sixteen millionth time.
Robert, are you saying that because I like the National I should like Lovers and other bands that sound like them? I don't know how to make it more clear that there's a difference between the postpunk-revival-ish band that wears eyeliner and masturbates onto a synth and the more mature kind that writes compelling songs, i.e. the National.
Jason, I don't know what you're into music wise but I totally agree with Richard Burgess... no one should be taking advice from you. BTW, I just went to check out this "hourly radio" you linked, and while it's not my particular taste in music I hear the good things it has to offer ...and I'm willing to bet there are some kids out there whol will connect with it and really appreciate it. Listen to "Deaf Ears", it's got good qualities to it... I'm willing to bet this band does really well and I hope they do!
woo woo woo, you can't lump "The National" and compare them to anyone else... I agree with the point you're trying to make to Jason... but the National are men among boys, sorry, they are uncomparable (unless it's Leonard Cohen you're comparing Matt's vocals too?).
Does anyone give a shit about Harper's opinion? This blog and The Pitch have become a platform for Jason's personal vendetta against bands he has issues with (very professional), and a soapbox to promote his friends (or whoever he has a hard-on for this week). A man with zero talent or musical ability trying to tell us what's cool? For a good laugh, check him out at the Brick on karaoke night. Pathetic!
I agree there are far too many homogenous bands in the post-post-punk-pop revival scene. And yet, you're a big fan of The National...hmmm. They fit in the same mold, in my opinion, holmes.
who enjoys this stuff!?! only over a million people. what nerve you have to use bands like the Killers, the Bravery, Interpol, and Editors as NEGATIVE examples. even if you don't personally care for the music, as a music writer you really need to recognize that a lot of people do.
as far as fashion goes, i'd much rather a band dress up than hit the stage in the far too typical rock uniform these days: scruffy jeans, dark t-shirts, and shaggy ass hair.
B-O-R-I-N-G.
I like your spiky inscrutability, Billy. I should have clarified that it's the one side -- the preeny Lovers side -- of the whole New Wave revival that had run its course. There are a lot of good bands out there that are working the postpunk/New Wave angle or just showing influences from that era. I think that for their emphasis on trying to act sexy and dramatic rather than injecting some wit, humor, irony, fun into the mix, Lovers was not among them.
Yeah, I hate trends, man. Kansas City is so progressive and with it, those New Wave losers had no chance. With the MTV/A.D.D "journalism" that jisms itself as hip truth and pure cause, I can only HOPE to keep up and stay cool like this cities writers expect me to stay. Maybe I'll just keep it safe and only confess to liking regurgitated, underwhelming and flaccid machismo Rawk N Roll. The only bummer is that I've seen this blog coming for decades. Sigh- Nostradamus
like
dislike
