Monday, July 20, 2009

11 -- The New Rockers -- Tuesday, April 15, 2008 -- 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

I refuse to fully recap this concert. They have a number of well-sung, well-arranged songs (“Sing Me Spanish Techno,” “Letters from an Occupant,” "Challengers," and the euphoric “Bleeding Heart Show”), but I refuse.

Why? Their supreme arrogance. The arrogance starts with their name. Yes, rock and roll can be stimulating; we get it. But why the name?! Your music does not contain a lick of sex, violence, or profanity. Why immediately mislead newcomers and force fans into many awkward defenses of your merits? I suppose you think you’re being clever and non-conformist, but frankly, you’re just being dumb.

Equally dumb was their decision to play it ‘cool’ during the concert – and by ‘cool,’ I mean putting little-to-no passion into any aspect of the performance. The lead male guitarist joked with a guy in the crowd occasionally – that, I suppose, was acceptably hip. For the most part, though, they came on, played their songs, and left. They’re talented songwriters, so the concert escaped with a C+, but they could have earned a lot more. If only, to paraphrase Ok Go, they could “g-g-get over themselves.”

Grade: C+

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