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Concert Sat Mar 29 2014
Photos/Review: Warpaint and Cate Le Bon @ Cabaret Metro 3/28/14
Few bands have such a defined sound as Warpaint after having released only two full lengths and one EP. The band's sound is somewhere between psychedelic and arty with a balance of both feminine etherea with the vocals, keyboards, and guitar melodies and the muscle made with the combination of bass and drums. The Los Angeles four piece have a way of emphasizing both a lingering richness in their sound as well as a more climactic feel at times. One could make the case that their long songs seem to lack the catchiness of a chorus with a hook but their strange and wondrous moments found deep within the recesses of the music elevate the band overall to be greater than the sum of it's parts.
Warpaint has this quality that is somewhat mesmerizing and yet difficult to put your finger on. It's as if their music is a thought that managed to vanish or dissolve even though it may have struck you as so profound at that moment. In that way, the filled to capacity/sold out Metro on Friday night was filled with anticipation and hopeful for something truly memorable to infiltrate their limbic systems forever.
Warpaint played for about 90 minutes total and, though there was ever a sincerity in their notes, there was also a sense of fun at times and a feeling of connection between all four members. It would be silly to try to guess what they were thinking at any given moment but they seemed to be lost in melodies for the most part and, at the same time, enjoying the company of each other even in the midst of the performance. A link to the Warpaint setlist can be found here.
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Cate Le Bon was also a treat and has some psychedelic guitar reminiscences herself. She has the kind of wild eyes that hold light even in a darker room and the kind of cinematic face that makes one think of the way Cindy Sherman could transform and yet make herself ubiquitous all at once. There are more hooks and memorable choruses in Cate Le Bon's music but there is also a similar tone of melancholy that pervades many of the songs and came across live in quite a few of the moments throughout her 40 minute set. Her songs are quite creative in many ways and, though she was backed up by three males behind her to play drums, bass, and keyboards, she herself stole the show with her lovely Welsh voice and guitar playing. It would be amazing to see her someday tour with fellow Welsh rockers Super Furry Animals! It may never happen but one can certainly dream...
