Sunparlour Players Underwhelm Live

Horseshoe Tavern

Toronto, ON

on Jun 26 2009

Scott Bryson (CHARTattack)

06/29/2009 11:18am

It's safe to say there aren't a lot of bands that display their vibraphone as prominently as The Hylozoists.

The Paul Aucoin-fronted Toronto collective — in to warm up the crowd for the Sunparlour Players — opened their set with what would be the night's most epic tune: "Bras D'Or Lakes," from their latest disc, L'Ile De Sept Villes. By the time its concluding crescendo finally arrived, there wasn't a single head turned away from the stage.

The Hylozoists often veer towards elevator music territory on disc (albeit exceptionally engaging elevator music) Partly because of their reliance on the vibraphone1. In person, their set leans more heavily in the direction of orchestral rock, and that's when the seven-piece are at their most enjoyable.

The night's opening act, Wayne Petti & The Thieves, did an admirable job as well. The only downside to Petti's extra-band gallivanting is it decreases the frequency of Cuff The Duke albums.

It became evident as the Sunparlour Players were setting up for their turn on the stage that this gig was going to be a little more extravagant than their usual three-man arrangement — they had a three-piece brass section in tow, as well as Rock Plaza Central's Fiona Stewart on violin.

The horn players weren't on stage for many songs, but Stewart's presence was definitely felt. Since Sunparlour Players — Andrew Penner, Dennis Van Dine and Michael Rosenthal — all sit while they play, it seemed as though Stewart was playing the entire show herself from some vantage points.

The Sunparlour Players' material — especially their new disc, Wave North — is top notch, but this show proved beyond much doubt that the trio aren't ready for a bar the size of the Horseshoe. They just don't have the necessary bombast to (sonically) fill a venue of the 'Shoe's size. Their predominantly acoustic aesthetic — further hindered by the fact that they're all seated — is still better suited to a place like the Dakota Tavern.

This doesn't mean the Sunparlour Players won't ever graduate to the big leagues. A once timid Elliott Brood eventually made the jump to larger venues with just a few overdrive pedals. There's no reason this trio can't do the same.

Songs like "Battle Of 77" and the night's predictable crowd favourite, "If The Creeks Don't Rise," (from the Sunparlour Players' Hymns For The Happy debut), are destined for bigger audiences.