A concert, and judgement

I went to see Lenka, Justin Nozuka, and Missy Higgins last Thursday, before a four day trip down to Hollywood and Miami. I had mixed feelings.

I had heard of Lenka before, and even had some of their music (though I had not yet given it an honest listen). It's fun. If you like syrupy pop--think Lily Allen without the sarcasm--you will enjoy them. If you feel like bopping around while sweeping your house, or maybe something fun for a car ride, this is listenable. As a bonus, Lenka herself has the cutest dimples, a great sense of style, and looks less like Lindsay Lohan than some of her promo pictures belie. The band was as upbeat as their music, but it just lacked something for me. It was clean. Very, very...very clean. It sounded just like the record, which in one way reveals some basic talent, but the greater understanding of the emotion and structure of the music is lost when the artist doesn't know how to interpret their own songs. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but a concert that sounds EXACTLY like the album is like someone reading an article aloud to me as I follow along with my own copy: it's a little boring and unecessary.

Next on Stage was Justin Nozuka: my new tagline for him is "just...no". His band was dressed in matching plain white shirts (two in tanks, two in tees) and everyone but Justin had hats. Their jeans were fresh out of the box, I think, and I was a little confused. Having heard only a little bit of Justin's music, I had previously fallen in love with his song "After Tonight". In fact, I still recommended it. So the band came out looking a bit like, well, douchebags. They seemed nice enough, it's not like that, but I think the soulfulness of Just. No.'s voice was in contrast with his band's frat boy looks. They seemed a little formulated, maybe. Their rockstar mentality seemed contrived. I'm really not sure just how to explain it. For example: at one point, the lead guitarist was really jamming out (probably the greatest display of musicianship I saw during their set), but Mr. Nozuka travelled to the opposite side of the stage where the bassist was and started grooving to his own rhythm guitaring (the same few notes over and over) and by all appearences was 'rocking out'. On the other hand (or other side of the stage, as the case would have it), the guy who was jamming on his guitar looked so calm and disinterested. At another point, Justin was singing and at random points would take on a rocker pose, one hand up in the air, as if beating out the tempo for an arena (while 500 teeny boppers cheered and sweat over his mid-length locks). His face remained contorted in an expression of deep pain, zealous passion, or possibly constipation the entire time he was singing, then he would immediately smile after each song, nod, and look at his bandmates as if to say "I did really well that time, guys. I was really intense." Aside from the giggles this elicited from me, it doesn't say much one was or another about the music itself. Justin Nozuka has an amazing voice. I would kill to have his singing abilities. And yet, he didn't impress me all that much. Why? Just. No. loves the trill. It can add intensity, show off a great range, and make a song more interesting. That is, if you don't use it for every song, for almost every note. I feel like if he went a funk-rock or more bluesy approach, and liited his use of rolling, he could be epic. Unfortunately, he already finds himself epic and falls short of the potential he naively displays without owning up to. As for songs, avoid "Oh Mamma". It's lyrics strike me as a little Oedipal. "After Tonight" is a great starter. As for in concert, the song I put up there, "Save Him" won me over in concert. Enjoy.

Finally, Missy came on stage. She had an outgoing stage presence and remained quite conversational with the audience, something I enjoy. She managed to make me like a few songs I previously found to be mediocre with her powerful vocals and obvious giddyness. Watching he bounce around behind her guitar or piano and give it all out to the songs was really great. Given the nature of her music, I was worried about it having no live life, but I was proven wrong. She riffed out at some parts, added lines, and extended some songs. I was pleased.****