Summer shows are sweat shows at the Granada. And though heat supposedly rises, I've learned to avoid the lowest point in the auditorium in favor of the better sightlines and less interactive spectator experience (translation: less accidental collisions from dancing strangers) offered on the main level. The air was definitely more breathable outside the pit last night.
However, having seen Minus the Bear at the Granada at least three times now, I couldn't help feeling like the crowd, although sizable, was a little smaller than in the past. It wasn't hard to keep my spot-with-a-good-view just behind the railing. And at the beginning of the headliner's set, I was easily able to sneak down to the floor right in front of the band on stage left. (That is, before I utilized a photo pass to gain access to the side of the actual stage, where I could get slightly clearer shots -- of the musicians' backs -- with my camera iPhone.)
More fuzzy pics after the jump.
Considering that the band finally gets played on The Buzz now (did anyone rise early enough for Kegs and Eggs yesterday?), the fact that the room wasn't more packed surprised me. Then again, I've heard a lot of disappointed reviews of Minus the Bear's new album, Omni. I can understand the haters. The new album seems to lean too obviously on the sex/pop appeal that, used sparingly, made the less polished works potent. Fortunately for purists, new tracks hardly dominated the setlist last night. Sexy single "My Time" and gushy "Summer Angel," no doubt Omni's most marketable offerings, came back to back, within the first five songs. A few others new tunes were scattered amongst most of the obvious fan faves from Planet of Ice, Menos el Oso, and Highly Refined Pirates. Omitted again, to my extreme dismay, was "Fulfill the Dream." "Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse" closed out the night.
There were two openers. I only caught Everest, who played a tight but mostly forgettable set. It was cool, though, when the frontman briefly moved from front-and-center to drums, continuing to sing all the while.
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I was blown away last night. This is my second MTB show... the first was in Columbia at the Blue Note. They're one of my favorites to catch when they're in town. Their musicianship and precision is incredible so it makes it fun to watch, especially for another musician like myself.
It's too bad you missed Mini Mansions, the first opener. They were amazing...I had to buy their CD at the merch table. They were like a shaken-up bottle of The Beatles and Elliot Smith.
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