Magic Numbers / The Elected Rollcall

Short Attention Span Review

Magic Number B+
The Elected B-
Audience D-

Seriously was the Black Cat sold out or something? The volume of chatter almost drown the MNs out during the quiet bits of which there were numerous… Just because a group has a sense of dynamics doesn't automatically grant the right to chatter. Tis nice to know there are bands that do not require my ears to bleed for the sake of their art, shame the audience didn't return the favor. Maybe they'll play the Sushmere next time…

The Elected were less country than their latest album conveyed, I thought, but they were fairly boring up until the song which culminated their set, a rocking sonic epic that glistened with quasi-improv guitar playing. Almost White Stripes-esque, which is a big compliment from me. If the rest of their performance and their album, for that matter, came close to that level of intensity, I would like them a lot more.

But I was really there for the Magic Numbers. About one third of the way through the Magic Numbers' set, I was feeling underwhelmed and my attention started to wander. Then, they played "Hymn for Her," which is my favorite MN song by far, and that brought me back. From that song on, the set just got stronger and more fun. Overall, had a great time and agree with the Kosmo's grades for the most part. I'd probably give the Magic Numbers an extra plus though or a star for their collective forehead.

It was great to finally meet you, Kosmo, and Tom Servo as well. And, Bags, always a pleasure… Sorry, I didn't catch anyone else's names/handles….

Originally posted by Darth Ed:
The Elected were less country than their latest album conveyed, I thought, but they were fairly boring up until the song which culminated their set, a rocking sonic epic that glistened with quasi-improv guitar playing. Almost White Stripes-esque, which is a big compliment from me. If the rest of their performance and their album, for that matter, came close to that level of intensity, I would like them a lot more.

But I was really there for the Magic Numbers. About one third of the way through the Magic Numbers' set, I was feeling underwhelmed and my attention started to wander. Then, they played "Hymn for Her," which is my favorite MN song by far, and that brought me back. From that song on, the set just got stronger and more fun. Overall, had a great time and agree with the Kosmo's grades for the most part. I'd probably give the Magic Numbers an extra plus though or a star for their collective forehead.

It was great to finally meet you, Kosmo, and Tom Servo as well. And, Bags, always a pleasure… Sorry, I didn't catch anyone else's names/handles….

Blake is a really, really incredible guitarist. and it's pretty awesome when you are able to see him go off like that. so, interesting feedback…

out of curiosity only, does anyone know/remember who was playing drums and bass with the Elected last night? a few of them had been playing with Jenny on Letterman the other night, so i am just curious…

Seriously was the Black Cat sold out or something? The volume of chatter almost drown the MNs out during the quiet bits of which there were numerous… Just because a group has a sense of dynamics doesn't automatically grant the right to chatter. Tis nice to know there are bands that do not require my ears to bleed for the sake of their art, shame the audience didn't return the favor. Maybe they'll play the Sushmere next time…

I was sitting next to this pair in the back–I honestly have to wonder whether or not they paid their money to actually see the show or just to find a place to sit and yap until they could go someplace else to drink. At one point, I remember one of the staff having to go back along the VIP row to tell them to keep it down.

The Magic Numbers's set could have been 15 minutes shorter, not that there was anything wrong with their performance, but there was a long stretch of mellow stuff between the opening number and the end. They should be either out on co-headlining tour with a solid hour set or playing venues more suited to their quieter material. The bands new stuff sounded great and clearily they enjoy playing live. Will probably give them a miss live until a second release comes out. I left during the third song of the encore "Wheels on Fire" did they play longer?

I know there was some buy the CD get two tickets free for the show del, but doubt that would have brought in that many yackers… It was weird the audience in the front really responsed to the opening number singing and dancing along and then settled in to soak in the band's songs. Whereas there was this ring of people around them chattering away once the opening number finished.

I left at about the same time you did. I hoped they might do that cover of "Crazy In Love" I'd seen them do once upon a time, but I was done after "Wheels on Fire" honestly. I really enjoyed their set, save for the constant conversation provided by the couple next to me. It would've been easier to ignore if the girl hadn't punctuated every sentence by flailing her hands, which made it even more distracting.

That stretch of mellow songs did me in for a little while, I'll admit, but they started to mix it up more afterwards so I got right back into it.

I think there is something wrong with me…Caught their show at SxSW – just didn't feel it.

It would have been nice to see this show at the Birchmere, earlier start seats…. To bad they don't have a dance floor off to the side in the main room for those moments when do want to bob a little.

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
I left during the third song of the encore "Wheels on Fire" did they play longer?

You missed one more song. The last one was a lot of fun and had a lot of audience involvement in terms of rhythmic clapping. Very satisfying.

I thought the Elected sounded great, especially the last number. I was surprised by how much of a showman Blake was. It is hard to imagine him playing second fiddle in Rilo Kiley. I would have loved to hear them play a few more, especially stuff off "Me First". Although biased, I thought they were the better band last night.

The middle of the Magic Numbers set really sagged. Although their music is pleasant, it is very formulaic. With the exception of adding the gloc on a few songs (something they seemed really proud of), the instrumentation rarely changed. I was impressed with his guitar work, though; he made it look effortless…I would love to have had the guitar a bit more forward in the sound. They just don't have the energy to fill a venue of that size.

As far as talking, I have have come to expect and accept talking near the upper bar (where I seem to see most shows from these days). People are always going to talk at shows, the least they can do is go to the back of the Club to do so. However, it doesn't excuse obnoxious behavior and I certainly threw a few glances last night. It seems to be a bigger problem with inexpensive shows for bands that are receiving a bit of buzz and have an AOR (Paste Magazine, KEXP) type sound.

Pretty good show. I enjoyed both acts. The Elected really rocked there at the end. I liked the back and forth between the guitarists. They also did a good job with the "payoff" jam after the 5 full minutes of energy buildup. The guy has an interesting voice, really nice in spots.

The Magic Numbers were fun, you could tell that they are enjoying every minute. That last song even they didn't want to end. I agree that the guitarist made it look effortless, it looked like he was leading a group of campers in a singalong. Not really sure the melodica adds a lot to their sound. The highlight for me was the duet. That girl should put down the melodica and do more lead vocal, she was dynamite.

It was great to meet some of the 9:30 A-List, Kosmo, Bags, and Darth Ed.

Yeah, she's very good. I wouldn't mind her taking the lead on a few songs. Probably the reason why I like the Magic Numbers so much is their male/female harmonies. I have a soft spot for bands with male/female harmonies, I suppose.

May I complain about the CD prices again? The Magic Numbers CD was $20 at the show!! That must be a new all-time high for for the price of a non-autographed, non-limited edition CD at the 9:30 Club. Must have been due to a poor dollars-to-pounds exchange rate or something…. ;)

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
Audience D-

Seriously was the Black Cat sold out or something? The volume of chatter almost drown the MNs out during the quiet bits of which there were numerous… Just because a group has a sense of dynamics doesn't automatically grant the right to chatter. Tis nice to know there are bands that do not require my ears to bleed for the sake of their art, shame the audience didn't return the favor. Maybe they'll play the Sushmere next time…

I coudn't agree with you more – what was the issue?!?!? I don't know that I've ever been to a louder show at 9:30, in terms of audience chatter. And I was very close up front, so if I heard so much chatter from there, there was a frickin' lot. I was trying to figure out why – it was a Thursday show, but not sold out, so were there that many folks just casually checking out the band? Really pissed me off, and I was tempted to yell "shut up," but didn't have any beer in me. ;)

I enjoyed the show more than I thought I would – I'd seen the Magic Numbers do a 40 minute daytime set at SXSW, which was good, but they had better energy at the club. I think the bigger crowd was a help (there were about 30 people watching the band at the Austin show I saw). If you discount the goddamn chatters all around the perimeter, folks near the stage were really in to the band and sending love their way. I was fully planning to leave early, but stuck it out as the final third of the show was the best (and I had made it through the mellow middle).

The Elected didn't grab me, though there were a couple songs I enjoyed – both with horns, by chance.

Glad to say hi to Kosmo and Darth, and meet Tom Servo. Hi!!

does anyone have the setlist of either of the bands by any chance? unfortunately i wasn't able to go so i'd like to know the setlists.