| « Kick, Push...Grammy? | Quick News Round-up » |
Review Sat Dec 09 2006
Review: The Dears, Canasta @ Metro
No doubt competing with Morrissey for 2006's Most Dramatic Rock Performance in Chicago, the Dears last night turned in a stage show complete with fog, great lighting, and enough melodrama to last the rest of the year. Often drawing from their latest album, Gang of Losers, they played a tight set that delighted many in the average-sized crowd. (And because of the late start time, many had left by the encore.) It's difficult to take your eyes off of captivating frontman Murray Lightburn as he sings through a range of emotions, perhaps some invoked by his wife standing behind a keyboard ten feet away. Judging from the reactions in the crowd, this is a band that people either love unconditionally or easily lose interest in.
Opening the show was Chicago's Canasta, who've been gaining momentum since their We Were Set Up was released last fall. Bringing out a couple new (or long-hidden) songs gave them a freshness that's necessary as a local band. Their well-received set was quite deserved as they always seem to have fun at Metro.
