Sister Hazel live

Sister Hazel
House Of Blues, Chicago
Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Even though Sister Hazel hasn’t straddled the charts quite as feverishly as it did in the late 1990s/early 2000s, it still has staying power and a cherished connection to Chicago. In fact, the dedication amongst locals is so strong that the band sold out not one, not two, but three concerts during the especially tricky time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. “This is our first three-night stand in your city,” singer Ken Block proclaimed with pride, but also a hint of humor.

“We’re thrilled and humbled you came to see us, but you may be late for work in the morning because we’re gonna keep you here late.” And he and the others obliged by offering a career spanning set ranging from 1994’s self-titled indie demo (re-released on Universal after fame came) to its latest, Lift (Sixthman), keeping the kids and 20-somethings until right around midnight.

Though the group has often been brushed off as musical lightweights and thrown into the same pedestrian categories of Train, Better Than Ezra, Tonic, and Hootie & The Blowfish, there are plenty of people into its jangle pop sound with a handful of memorable hits to match. And while the group doesn’t take all too many risks on record, the live environment leads to slightly more complicated arrangements and at least some improvisation beyond studio sterility. It was impossible not to sing along to the carpe diem anthem “Change Your Mind” (placed surprisingly second in the lineup) with wide-grinned karaoke glee. While the message about turning that frown upside down may be trite, it provided an early dose of fun and a few free-form solos, demonstrating a Southern blues tint. Its follow-up, “Your Mistake,” continued in this vein, sounding less like a Wal-Mart version of Counting Crows and much more direct and accomplished.

From there Block explained how the band took the last several months off from touring to begin sessions for a new record in Florida. Thus far the guys have churned out 50 potential cuts, such as the tentatively titled “Little Black Heart.” Though pleasant and mildly charming with its acoustic innocence, the track was incredibly formulaic and lines from “Change Your Mind” could’ve been practically substituted verbatim. The recent “Would Inside My Head” also fell victim to the previous middle-of-the-road formula, though the group had better luck pulling other cuts from 2000’s blockbuster, Fortress. One breakthrough came during “Your Winter,” which landed somewhere between rootsy twang of The Jayhawks and a vintage gospel glow of Johnny Cash.

That motif also leaked into “Champagne High,” though in this instance the song swelled from a tender reflection into an enraged rocker drawn out with deep-throated soulfulness. The faithful wouldn’t let the gang go without a true-to-form take on “Happy,” leaving smiles on the faces of even those left sweaty and smashed up against the stage. No, the tune and the rest of Sister Hazel’s catalogue may not be brain surgery or the blueprint for artistic brilliance, but there’s no denying its penchant for catchy hook-heavy rock. Though it’s uncertain if the quintet will ever reach the apex of its younger years — both with the radio and the mainstream CD buying/downloading public — there’s a legion of supportive followers who look past the sugar and sap towards the feel-good familiarity.

— Andy Argyrakis

Category: Live Reviews, Weekly