Stars, Bell X1 live!
Stars, Bell X1
Vic Theatre, Chicago
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
When the credits roll in the imaginary film depiction of Stars’ Wednesday night gig at The Vic, the following phrase – no flowers were hurt in the making of this film – will not flash across the screen. During the Montreal collective’s 90-minute set, dozens of scarlet roses met their end at the hands of multi-instrumentalists Torquil Campbell, Evan Cranley, and Amy Millan. Whether ruefully ripping the fragile petals in a he-love-me-he-loves-me-not fashion, twisting the buds off as if ringing a chicken’s neck, or merely torpedoing intact flowers straight into the crowd, Stars expressed inner turmoil with more than just enchanting songs.
With only a new EP (Sad Robots) to promote, the band delivered a set heavy on fan favorites – the bulk taken from 2004’s Set Yourself On Fire (Arts & Crafts). “Reunion,” “What I’m Trying To Say,” and “Calendar Girl” all allowed Campbell to exhibit an earnestness usually reserved for characters in Jane Austen novels. Often turning and directing aching lyrics to an unresponsive Millan only contextualizes Campbell’s yearning. When the two (who also share duties in Broken Social Scene) trade off vocals as on the gutting “Heart,” the results rival Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham at their most conflicted. On “Bitches In Tokyo,” Campbell’s voice is as dear as a tear drop, while Millan channels Cyndi Lauper on “Going Going Gone.” “Violent” traded in pop orchestrations for gritty, Nick Cave-inspired gore, and “Midnight Coward” thrashed between euphoria and hushed remorse.
In their third Chicago appearance in eight months, the Irish lads from Bell X1 took full advantage of a shortened, opening slot. Frontman Paul Noonan was all gangly limbs during the disco-infused “Flame” while “Tongue” felt out of place amid the more tender fare. An add-on to the band’s U.S. debut, Flock (Yep Roc), “Eve, The Apple Of My Eye” enveloped the stage in a gossamer shield. Noonan interjected Bowie’s “Heroes” into the precious “I’ll See Your Heart And I’ll Raise You Mine” to great effect.
— Janine Schaults
Category: Live Reviews, Weekly
