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Posted in music on April 23, 2008
Destroyer - played Music Hall, Bowery Ballroom tonight
Destroyer @ MHOW, Brooklyn, NY - April 22, 2008 (Eduardo)
Understandably so, there is a tendency to conflate Destroyer and Dan Bejar, but in concert there is no question that they are a band, and not simply a solo act in disguise. Indeed, Bejar has an extremely commanding presence on stage with his floppy mop of hair, carefully crafted persona, and distinct vocal styling, but last night, he was frequently upstaged by Nicolas Bragg's gorgeous renderings of his songs' achingly romantic lead guitar parts, and Fisher Rose's jaw-dropping performance on the drums. Rose is a monster behind the kit; equally adept at creating a light atmosphere with sleigh bells as he is pounding out a propulsive beat for "Dark Leaves From A Thread," or providing the vertiginous, lopsided gait of "The State." Collectively, Destroyer is exceptionally gifted at nailing the chiaroscuro tones of Bejar's compositions, while also pumping up their most dramatic turns for the stage. With just a slight shift in emphasis, the lovely "Leopard Of Honor" became something of a somnambulist showstopper, and "Foam Hands," a gentle anthem. In lesser hands, much of Bejar's work could collapse into self-parody and pastiche, but his bandmates hold it together, resulting in deliberately pretentious romantic pop ballads of uncommon grace. [Fluxblog]Destroyer plays again tonight @ Bowery Ballroom (April 23), and then his tour continues.
Posted on April 23, 2008 11:01 AM
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Comments (22)
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Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 11:14 AM
"in concert there is no question that they are a band, and not simply a solo act in disguise"
Um, when Destroyer opened for The New Pornographers in the fall of 2005, it was Bejar and members of The NP's.
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 11:16 AM
was Bradford there?
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 11:48 AM
was anyone there? how was it? what time/how long did they play? setlist? cant wait for tonight!
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 12:22 PM
I hate Daft Punk and Deerhunter!
I Heart Destroyer!!!
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 12:31 PM
fucking so good. beautiful
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 12:34 PM
Well, I don't recall the setlist exactly, but I was disappointed that he only played one, maybe two songs from Rubies (most annoying, neither was "Painter In Your Pocket" or "European Oils".) A lot of the new material, though I enjoy it on the album, when rendered live reminded me more of the most boring parts of being in a band; long spats of I-IV-V as the lead guitarist noodles. I really enjoy that on the records because it's used a bit more sparingly, but at some points last night I have to admit I was just waiting for a change or for Dan to start singing again or something. Maybe I just feel a bit let down because they didn't play my favorites, and it was mostly "Trouble In Dreams" material, but overall it was a good and well-played show.
Posted by MFan | April 23, 2008 12:57 PM
thanks for the thoughts mfan.. im lowering my expectations for the show tonight. any idea about how long he played?
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 1:03 PM
ANDRE ETHIER STOLE THE SHOOOOW
destroyer invoked just a few too many college-rock vibes for my liking, but andre and destroyer are work the $15...
although i needed a red bull and it was $6
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 1:26 PM
Yeah, I didn't know that guy. I wouldn't say he was better than Destroyer, but he was way better than the second opener. The second opener seriously sucked.
Posted by Eduardo | April 23, 2008 1:51 PM
Blue Flower/Blue Flame / Rubies / Leopard Of Honor / The State / Crystal Country / Libby's First Sunrise / Dark Leaves Form A Thread / New Ways Of Living / Trembling Peacock / My Favourite Year / Foam Hands / Hey, Snow White // Modern Painters / Self-Portrait With Thing (Tonight Is Not Your Night)
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 2:08 PM
""in concert there is no question that they are a band, and not simply a solo act in disguise"
Um, when Destroyer opened for The New Pornographers in the fall of 2005, it was Bejar and members of The NP's."
Right, and the reviewer is talking about this specific band, you snarky dick.
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 2:27 PM
"carefully crafted persona">???? fucking bourgeois shit.
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 4:29 PM
fuck you ya snarky dick
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 4:33 PM
"Right, and the reviewer is talking about this specific band, you snarky dick."
Or maybe he's just pulling stuff out of his ass to impress the reader with his writing.
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 5:06 PM
was not sold out
LOSER
Posted by Anonymous | April 23, 2008 11:44 PM
after tonight's Bowery show, should read 'in concert, there is no question Bejar is a drunk'
Posted by Anonymoose | April 24, 2008 12:50 AM
bejar was shitfaced.
Posted by thatguy | April 24, 2008 11:23 AM
bejar was shitfaced.
Posted by thatguy | April 24, 2008 11:39 AM
Yeah Dan was fine for the first half...then he turned into this self-indulgent crooner, still sounding great though. But why the hell did he not play "Shooting Rockets"??? It's epic and by far the best track from the new album. Don't get it...
Posted by b. dire | April 24, 2008 4:09 PM
b. dire - hes said in a couple interviews that shooting rockets will not be performed live as it is basically a studio construction.
Posted by Anonymous | April 24, 2008 4:17 PM
a wha what? He didn't enlist the Philadelphia philharmonic or anything?!! it's just lazy. The song does sport many layers to it...but it doesn't have anything that isn't compatible with a live show. I can't imagine Destroyer even making a song that's such. I guess if he doesn't want to play it, he's not going to. But it would be frikin epic.
Posted by b. dire | April 24, 2008 5:06 PM