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LIVE: Atlas Sound Break A Rare Sweat
Friday February 29, 2008 @ 12:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff
February 28, 2008
Horseshoe Tavern
Toronto, ON
by Noah Love
There's always a moderate apprehension with a band like Atlas Sound. It's the same sense of worry I felt before seeing Deerhunter, Bradford Cox's other, more famous project last July at Lee's Palace. The concern then, as it was now, was that the group would focus too much on their ambient leanings and less on their stunning shoegaze rock.
Luckily, at the Deerhunter show those fears were unfounded as they blasted through hits, hits and more hits, leaving the ambience on disc, where it belonged, and put together one of my three favourite sets of the year. Atlas Sound's Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel doesn't pack the emotional punch or sonic virtuousity of Deerhunter's Cryptograms/Flourescent Grey, but it's a fine record nonetheless. Thankfully, Cox and company brought out all of their best parts in a set that was as focused as it was ramshackle and hilarious.
Just like they do on the album, the songs that filled the set list came together almost spontaneously. One of the group's five members would be strum a chord, another would join, and then suddenly, a full-fledged song would appear with Cox helming lead guitar and vocals. It was a completely different vibe from the Deerhunter experience, and not just because Cox wasn't wearing a dress.
The big difference is while his guitarist and sound manipulator were surrounded by pedals, Cox had none. His voice wasn't manipulated in the least, nor was his guitar, which made stellar cuts "Recent Bedroom" and "Ativan" more organic, rockier and less space-poppy than on the LP. Those same qualities also infused more life into dronier songs such as "Quarantined" and set-opener "Cold As Ice."
Cox's trademark sardonic and hilarious wit was on full display between the songs. After noticing he was sweating, the gaunt frontman — who said he didn't have enough body fat to produce sweat (he has Marfan syndrome, which produced his abnormally long limbs and shockingly thin figure) — decided it was an occasion for celebration, and invited his guitarist to take a whiff to prove its authenticity.
"The last time I sweated was in grade eight," he mused to a crowd that looked to be comprised mostly of vinyl collectors. "Will you write about it? Will you put it on your blog? It would mean a lot to me."
Cox is quickly becoming the smartest live musician on the planet. He knows how to work a crowd, how to keep listeners engaged and never overstays his welcome. Deerhunter's set lasted 35 minutes due to technical difficulties and the Atlas Sound's went for all of 45 minutes. If he keeps it up, I don't care how many bands he starts, I'll make time to see them all.
 
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