PELICAN + Mono @ Cabaret

By Johnny Suck - Turn Down the Suck - 06/17/2006

The last time I saw Mare, they bored me. I briefly considered giving them another chance, but just couldn’t bring myself to care enough to get there on time. Unfortunately, I also missed Mono’s first song, which was 1/4 of their set. Their other three songs, spanning approximately 10 minutes each, were epic post-rock. Their recent album You Are There didn’t impress me, but they smoked it live. Catching only 30 minutes of them was a shame as they definitely deserved a full hour. With more time, Mono could have easily stolen the show from Pelican.

Pelican’s performance can be summed up with one word: solid. They were nothing more, nothing less. Their music is generally good and they played it just fine. The problem is that I probably would have had the same experience if I had stayed at home listening to their CD's with my stereo cranked. Not only would it have sounded just as good, but I would have been a lot more comfortable and would have saved myself the trip downtown and back. Still, they could have been forgiven had this been a Tuesday night in February when you are desperate for something to do and are happy to have any reason to go out. However, this was a beautiful Saturday night in June, and there were plenty of other good times to be had. Pelican’s performance just did not justify the opportunity cost of missing whatever else was going on that night. Even though it was alright, knowing that you are missing better things makes the whole show that much more unsatisfying.

Other than a lack of charisma, something common to many instrumental bands, there were not any specific problems -- just a lack of anything special. Even though their songs, sound and style were all good and their performance was totally enjoyable, it was unfulfilling. I left without that post-concert glow or any warm, fuzzy feelings. There is a shred of fear that maybe the problem wasn’t with Pelican, but with me. Could it be that I’m getting tired and jaded too?

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