THURSDAY,APRIL17,2003
MUSIC
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 7
Concert spotlights new album,songs
With its major label debut Antenna barely two weeks old, the Boston band Cave In attacked the stage of The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., with the uncharacteristically up-tempo opener "Penny Racer."
The band was eager to show off the concise, melodic rock songs showcased on Cave In focused a majority of its hour-long set on the new material.
Vocalist/guitarist Stephen Brodsky's pitch and delivery was flawless the entire night, demonstrated in the songs "Joy Opposites" and the falsetto of "Seafrost" Guitarist Adam McGrath showed boundless energy, swinging his guitar over his head while never missing a note of his effects-laden guitar work.
Nate Harold
nharold@kansan.com
ner J.anners Cave In was eager to show off the assist melodic cofield rock songs be one showcased on is most Antenna, focusing rhythm a majority of their as best hour-long set on on the new material.
"Inspire." Fans of the band seemed polite and receptive to the newer songs but gave the most welcome response to songs from its 2000 album Jupiter. "Brain Candle;"the title track "Jupiter," and the stellar encore of "Big Riff showed that the group's unique blend of
CAVE IN
Where: The Bottleneck
When: April 10
GRADE ...A
hardcore elements, experimental sounds and space rock of old didn't go unappreciated.
The crowd and the band were least interested in "Anchor," the lackluster first single from Antenna.
The band didn't appear thrilled to be playing it, and fans seemed to nod their heads politely and collectively breathe sighs of relief when it was over.
Cave In's performance was a great example of amazing music being overlooked, as The Bottleneck was nowhere near capacity. When originality is finally rewarded again in rock music, Cave In will no doubt turn more heads.
Harold is a Weskan senior in communication studies.
Sing the Sorrow by AFI Reviewed by Nate Harold nharold@kansan.com
In "Dancing Through Sunday," off the band's Dreamworks debut, AFI vocalist Davey Havok wails, "And we dance in misery/ All lost in the arms of our misery." This passage summarizes the apparent intent of AFI with Sing the Sorrow: to exorcise the ever-increasing anguish of Havok's lyrics and provide the means for a danceable, cathartic release.
Sing the Sorrow picks up where AFI's past two albums left off. With a love for mournful, flowery imagery propelled by the
aggression of a veteran northern California punk rock band, AFI creates a sound that is difficult to classify. Despite the appearance of frontman Havok, AFI is not to be pegged as "goth punk" as so many critics label the band. With the punk rock toned down and more of an emphasis on
the lyrics and melody, Sing the Sorrow could more easily be classified as a rock album with dark undertones. Songs such as the waltz-time "Silver and Cold" and the clean guitar and vocal track, "The Leaving Song," make an accurate description of the band more difficult.
Although Havok's vocal abilities are more distinct than ever on this release, specifically his newfound impeccable pitch, at times they can detract from the songs. On the verse of "Death of Seasons," Havok's trademark high-pitched shout is changed into a strained scream.
Although this vocal style is more popular than ever with the new breed of hardcore bands with vocalists who are more apt to pull it off, Havok should stick to his more familiar delivery. That's what originally set him apart from other vocalists in the genre.
With super producers Jerry Finn and Butch Vig at the helm of Sing the Sorrow, great expectations rested on the band. The band's members deliver an album that sets them apart even further from their peers but can at times become repetitive and dull. But with the glimpses of the future we get with the standout tracks, AFI could easily make its next release more potent.
k j h xl
1. ELGUAPO ... Fake French
KJHK Top 10
2. BLACK EYES ... Black Eyes
3. WHITE STRIPES
Elephant
6. NOTWIST . . . Neon Golden
4. JAGA JAZZIST ... Animal Chin
Various
5. SADDLE CREEK 50 Artists
7. THE FAINT . Danse Macabre Remixes
8. SCHNEIDERTM ... 6Peace
9. DEERHOOF ... Apple O
10. ADULT ...Anxiety Always
Brandon Baker/Kansen