Now Its Overhead preview

Now It’s Overhead
Subterranean, Chicago
Friday, July 21, 2006

As a good chunk of the incestuous Saddle Creek Records roster begins to throw it’s stones outside the circle, Now It’s Overhead mastermind Andy LeMaster remains behind the scene.

It’s probably not by choice, given the flameout fashion of The Faint, Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes’ sexy combustibility, Rilo Kiley and Jenny Lewis’ courting of the mainstream, Cursive’s rapturous deconstructions, and the sultry dynamo of Azure Ray’s Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. Yet LeMaster’s decision to let the music be a primary focus and avoid the spotlight ready for him (he’s a touring member of Bright Eyes and basically was the band on Fink’s solo record) has accidentally led to him being typecast as the Saddle Creek band that sounds like a shoegazing version of The Cure.

Maybe it’s time to let him off the hook (both Taylor and Fink are recording members of Now It’s Overhead). Yet LeMaster remains the only cog without a taste of the good life. Both the self-titled debut and 2004’s Fall Back Open were lacking a certain amount of ingenuity despite pop purity, leaving one to wonder if this fall’s Dark Light Daybreak will be a make or break point.

DeVotchKa headline; Canasta will open.

— Steve Forstneger

Click here to download “Wait In A Line.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly