Last night a band called Brightblack Morning Light played a few blocks away from my house. I figured, “Hey, they are on Matador, and I dug the tunes of theirs that I checked out, and it’s only a few blocks from my house. Sounds like a good idea!”

Incorrect.

I’m really not one to be unreasonably critical towards bands I’m only seeing for the first time. Actually, that is a lie. However, if your band is on Matador, I reserve the right to be as judgmental as I feel like, since, you know, you’re getting my money in one way or another eventually, and you’re on Matador and I’m not.

Things that separate Brightblack Morning Light from the average college funk band:

1). 30 bpm
2). A second, third, or fourth part to the song
3). Songs that are distinguishable from one another
4). Chops

It is interesting to see a band who receives a decent amount critical acclaim and whose albums I actually have a favorable opinion toward take such a drastic and giant shit when it comes to the live show. Their singer (who goes by the name Naybob Shineywater, by the way) sang through what sounded like a Zoom 505 pedal set on “STEVIERAY” all night, and didn’t bother to switch it off while he spoke to the audience in between songs. NOT COOL. And I seriously, honestly could not tell the difference between any of their songs, despite a concerted effort.

Any other experiences with a giant discrepancy between recording and live show?