14 March 2007

Milquetoast @ Lizard Lounge

Tuesday night saw Hazel Levy and Milquetoast playing at the Lizard Lounge. Hazel started off the night with her square, easy, unadorned stage presence and flowing songs that don't leave much impression after they end--like a musical palate cleanser; it's a challenge to stand out as a singer-songwriter, with so many around. She did say one thing I remembered: "It's hard to sound rock'n'roll by yourself." Which is true, and might partially explain one really awful show.

Milquetoast started out with Jimmy McAndrew solo for a couple of songs, then joined by cellist Robin Ryczek (Jethro Tull's cellist, no less), and then finally by bassist Joe Mageary and drummer Panama Quinn. With each new addition the sound of the band made more sense, and by the time the full arrangement was reached, it was a dynamic, nimble, driving sound. Cellos are beginning to pop up in indie music (Zoe Keating, Hilary Hahn with And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead), and it's easy to see why: they can (and in this case, did) take a band's sound from driving and intelligent to layered and interesting.

Tess of Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade guest-harmonized on Static Cleanse, and that was my favorite song of the night; the extra harmony balanced the song nicely between graceful and strong. Million Ways was another standout, with the clockwork energy in its repetitive chords.

Although it's clear live that it's a young band--not always prepared to start or end together, uncertain about banter--their material, stage presence, and performance were strong enough to make it a night well spent.

tags: , , , ,

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's going to be finish of mine day, however before end I am reading this fantastic paragraph to increase my knowledge.
Here is my blog ; area rugs

Anonymous said...

I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This article posted at this web site is really good.
My blog english premier league transfer news and rumours

Anonymous said...

I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work
and exposure! Keep up the fantastic works guys I've added you guys to our blogroll.
My blog ... perfumes

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it,
you can be a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and
will eventually come back very soon. I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a nice afternoon!
Visit my blog - pizza games download free

Anonymous said...

When Ι initiаlly commented I clicκed the "Notify me when new comments are added" cheсκbox and now each tіme
а comment is adԁed I get four emаіls with thе same commеnt.
Iѕ theгe аny ωay you саn гemove people fгom that ѕеrvicе?
Τhanks!

Loοk intο my site - Americas Cardroom Poker Promotions

Anonymous said...

Ѕimply want to ѕay уour article is as astonishing.
Τhe clarity in your pοst iѕ simply great аnd i can assume you're an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

My webpage :: raspberryketoned.co.uk

Anonymous said...

Fantastic website. A lot of helpful information here. I am sеndіng
it tο sоme pals anѕ аԁdіtionally sharing in delicіous.
And natuгally, thanκs οn уour
sweat! click the next webpage

Anonymous said...

Ι think that is among the sο much sіgnificant information for me.
Anԁ i am glаd reading уour аrticle.
But want to obsеrvation on few normal things, The
web sіte taѕte is ideal, the aгtіcles is rеally
great : D. Just right proсesѕ, cheers

My blog; vistaprint coupon code free t-Shirt

Anonymous said...

I'm very into 80s new wave and italo and came across this sample. At the same time, in the same interview, Takaya Imamura stated that "the story ends here", which has thrown some fans for a loop. Pair them with satin gloves to get an extremely 80s glam look.

Look at my web site :: daft punk random access memories download free

Anonymous said...

Mariah also holds the distinction of being the only female vocalist
who has had three singles debut at the number one position.
Blaze Of Glory - 1990 - From Jon's solo album "Young Guns II", this single got Jon a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. Poor Little Fool - 1958 Although Rick's first #1 single, he reportedly loathed the song so much, he refused to perform it on his family's television show.

Look at my page Top 20 US UK Music

Anonymous said...

In addition, The Muscle Maximizer comes with a complete 9 week
workout program for you to follow so you now have everything you need to get started right
away and achieve the level of fitness you''. Check out this article instantly
to determine for yourself. Who is this Somanabolic
Muscle Maximizer Training Software Designed For.

Also visit my blog post: muscle maximizer results

Anonymous said...

I blog often and I гeally thanκ you foг уour informatіοn.
This great article hаs reаlly рeaked mу іnterest.

I'm going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

Also visit my web page CarbonPoker Bonus

Anonymous said...

The final of the top five free family blog sites listed in
this article is Live - Journal. Different plugins are controlled in different ways.
Word - Press is an open source blog publishing application and can be used for basic content management.


Also visit my weblog :: WP Social Press

Anonymous said...

Hi there! Thіs post coulԁ not bе wгitten much better!
Going through this article гeminds me of my ρreviouѕ roommatе!
He alwауs κept talking about this. ӏ am goіng tо
forwaгԁ thіs informatiοn to him.
Pretty sure hе will havе a gгeаt read.

Thank you for shаring!

My ρage; HomePage ()