, attached to 2014-07-15

Review by chooglincharley

chooglincharley The weather held off and we were all treated to a stellar show. I, personally enjoyed the show very much:

The rare Buried opener was wonderful and well played which segued into a semi-rare first set Twist that got the crowd moving and involved early. A standard Heavy Things with a lackluster outro jam followed. 555 seemed to be lacking as well, and sounded as though it was one of the less suggested versions of the new song. Then the band picked it up: the Halley's > Gin was spectacular. A straightforward Halley's (as we have become accustomed to the past couple years) led to another succinct Gin that featured a jam that Trey led from the softest depths to emerge into a monster that just kept pelting the audience. Wingsuit allowed for a short breather as the guys took this one out for a ride as well that matched the previous Gin jam. DSky was well placed as dusk settled in and was meticulously played with a great improv section. The guys then took what seemed to be their first break to signal what was on board next: the first Upstate NY Wombat siting. The solo soundcheck, Wombat was well placed and funky as hell; this is a song that you just can't help but laugh and move. A tight, progressive Bowie rounded out the first stanza on a high note.

After a set like the first, we all knew the second set was gonna be a heater. Starting with a blistering Disease that featured several 'jams within jams' which explored various avenues like several of the second set openers thus far, this Disease is something of a must hear. Disease gave way to a fiery BotT which then set up the first NICU of the Summer. Standard, fun NICU led to the first Jibboo of 2014 that was just as hot as the Train. Theme emerged from Jibboo where Page was showcased and had some nice interplay with Trey and built up to a climax that saw Page lead into Theme. The Page onslaught continued through a well played Theme that fizzled into Meatstick. We all got our dancing shoes out and threw down the Meatstick dance (replete with Japanese lyrics). The shocker (to me) that ensued was the prior night repeat of Fuego; while not like it's past versions of Randall's and SPAC, this version was very Type I and straightforward before giving way to The Wedge; excellent placement as the final flow in a set that was full of peaks and valleys as it ebbed and flowed through the night before a spectacular Antelope that featured several teases and left the crowd yearning for more. As the band came back out for the curtain call and the opening notes, I looked at my watch and saw 10:50 and immediately realized that the Zero would be a relatively standard version that would have all of the audience beaming with joy as we left for the lots.

I was happy to have caught this show and it seemed to make up for the two previous local shows (CMAC '10 & Blue Cross '13) It featured some exquisite playing, a decent amount of boisterous moments and great placement and selections of new songs. Far and away better and more consistent than all three nights of SPAC last week. If this is any sign for the rest of the tour, any folks fortunate enough to catch them should be rewarded greatly.


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