Brendan Benson played at Irving Plaza here in NYC last Friday night. Local band Tralala and the Cincinnati band The Greenhornes opened. I really like Tralala’s self-titled album, but wasn’t that into them live. Seeing them onstage, you realize that there are four singers. At any given time, at least two are playing the tambourine or clapping their hands. It’s hard not to wonder if all four women are necessary… Erin is the hot blonde with the best sounding voice, and Nicole plays a sampler while she sings. Nicole, their “resident booze hound” was either embarassingly drunk (they went on at 8:30) or embarrisingly trying to channel Karen O. Their guitarist seemed bored, often playing while the girls tried out their stage banter.
The Greenhornes were really, really boring. There’s no other way to say it. They sounded like the kind of band guys who weren’t smart enough to “get” Dave Matthews Band might have liked in high school. The sound clips on their website make them sound like a band I’d really want to see, but live, their songs were all blues rock riff clichés, and veered dangerously close to jam band territory.
Brendan Benson, though, was awesome. He kept banter to a minimum, and played a decent mix of songs off all three of his albums. Judging from the dearth of hoots when he launched into slightly reworked versions of “Insects Rule” and “Crosseyed,” most of the audience weren’t into/familiar with his first album One Mississippi. It’s really great to see Brendan Benson putting out albums and touring, since after his 1996 debut failed to get much notice, it seemed like he might never climb out of the bargain bin.
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The most accurate four-sentence review ever of The Greenhornes!
my name is also jed.
-jed
really? bummer. i really like their stuff on the Broken Flowers soundtrack.
Are you implying that The Dave Matthews Band makes intelligent music or simply saying that the Greenhornes are lower than the low? In my opinion, there is nothing to “get” about The Dave Matthews Band.
it wasn’t just jam band territory, they veered dangerously close to COLLEGE jam band territory.
I am saying lower than low. Your assumptions are correct- there is nothing to get.
One mississippi is a masterpiece
Don’t think Alternative To Love is in the same league as Lapalco. He’s playing Ireland this week but it’s at the posh venue so may give it a miss…..
i agree, mp3hugger. lapalco is brendan’s high point so far. what a great album.
Wow, the Greenhornes must’ve had their worst night ever to garner such malicious comparisons to…Dave Matthews’ Band. Something must’ve run tragically amok with the fellers. When I did see them they sounded like a Midwestern version of the Yardbirds…their songs had great drive, they were superight. And the backup work they all did on Van Lear Rose? Brill!! OH I’m sad…whatever happened to the greenhornes?
Glad to hear Brendan B. at least struck a chord. How I love Lapalco! And Mississippi One…he’s such a genius pop songwriter. Too good to every be truly popular, let’s face it. Also can be his worst enemy live sometimes…give in to his own insecurities.
i was lucky enough to see brendan in july, but he had robbers on high street open, and they sounded and performed quite well, well enough that i bought their cd at the show rather than putting my hands over my ears and wincing.
brendan and the band he’s touring with put on a fantastic show for us too…and i agree with several here: it’s his songwriting skills that just add to his appeal.
FYI
Stella plays Sampler in Tralala and Nicole is the resident booze hound and she drinks when she pleases.
thanks.
yea, the greenhornes sounded really good online, but they were SO BORING. I got a pic with the hot blonde from tralala. AWESOME!!
The Greenhornes are not boring just because they don’t jump around stage…if you want that, go see Def Leppard. You’re supposed to be the one moving, anyway. Next time try to get into the music instead of just posing to look like you belong. Their music’s great. And Dave Matthews Band? I’ve come to the conclusion that only those who want to be part of the ‘in’ group listen to DMB. Why else on Earth would you?