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Review:
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So, Atlanta institution Lenny's
(formerly known as Dotties), best known as the double wide
with a view if the cemetery, is moving from its long time location.
For some reason, this makes me sad. I know things change, but
with various Atlanta clubs coming and going, it's nice when
at least something stays the same. Then again, with its chronic
maintenance issues, maybe it is time for this club to move.
Case in point: when we arrived on this Friday evening, PostLibyan
informed me that there was no water in the men's bathroom.
And this was before people had really begun to show up. Later
in the evening, there was no water in the rest of the place
either (Oh yeah! A sole women's toilet with no running water!),
but I digress.
Anyway, the first band up were The Blue Hour, a local Atlanta band that I've encountered previously. They were enjoyable enough, although on this evening they played rather sloppily. Yet, despite this, I really enjoyed watching bassist Tracy Clark (formerly of Jetty) work. She's a very talented musician, who knows how to use her instrument both melodically and rhythmically. Still, it seems like she outstrips the other two members of the band at times. But when they can keep up, The Blue Hour has some good musical moments that are reminiscent of Polvo, or perhaps 764-Hero.
Afterwards, a band called Club Awesome set up. Looking at their relatively
young age, I was immediately afraid that perhaps the best thing about this
four piece might be the name. But, when they began to play, I liked them. They
have a post-Interpol sound, punctuated by some rather pretty, effected guitar
work with the occasional 60s style keyboard. But the music and rhythm is carried
primarily by the bass, which gives the band a hard edge. Sound-wise, they made
an excellent lead-in for The Jupiter
Watts, and I'd really like to see them
again when they could play a longer set.
Finally, The Jupiter Watts took the stage. This is only the second time I've
seen them since they have permanently added two members: drummer Kevin Wallace
and bassist/keyboardist Jared Welsh. This addition has enhanced and rounded
out the band's sound, as it allows vocalists/guitarists James Trigg and Ramon
Wals to focus more on the music at hand.
However, on this evening, the band was hampered by some technical difficulties
as well as a rather short set that seemed to be cut short due to Lenny's usual
Friday night "Trashed Dance Party." Still, The Jupiter Watts put on a great
little show. They played some older material of their previous releases, but
the highlights were the newest pieces. For me, the best of the new songs was
the second one they played, a bouncy little tune called Nothing at All.
It’s a summery, jangly song with rich harmonies and a pop sensibility. If
anything, it reminds me a bit of The
Possibilities, which is never a bad thing
in my book. If this is the future direction of The Jupiter Watts and their
recordings, I am all for it.
By the time they ended, it was growing late, the club was growing crowded,
and there was no water (see above). In short, Lenny's was getting skanky in
a hurry, and I was a little too sober to participate. With this in mind, and
on this high note, it seemed worth it to call it an evening before the atmosphere
deteriorated any further.
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