Review Thu Oct 16 2014

Shuffling with Bombay Bicycle Club @ Park West, 10/14

By Sarah Brooks

Bombay Bicycle Club is a group I've always admired. Though their musical efforts have evolved immensely since their first release, they maintain their initial identity and make music infused with their own unique candor. Tuesday evening brought about a tour de force pairing of musical acts to showcase their unique talents at the intimate Park West venue: Luxley, Milo Greene, and the stars of the show, Bombay Bicycle Club.

"We are a wildfire. Dance in it," Luxley's website effortlessly encapsulates. This New Orleans outfit brings celestial rock infused with synth-pop elements for one fun opening act. Their first EP will be released in the coming spring, and you can preview some of their gems right now. Their sound is deliciously dreamy, and the group was as humble as they were talented. They proved to be a fantastic opener for the rest of the evening's energized musical output.

Milo Greene, on the other side of the coin, has a sizable following. I first saw them at a summertime street festival, and was immediately captured by their definitive rock music, commanding and witha captivating presence. The song "Cutty Love" grabbed me immediately with deliriously meandering harmonies and gorgeous lyrics. After that, their 2012 release Don't You Give Up On Me received much acclaim, with sweet numbers like the title track, and the lush and lilting "1957." Their single for their forthcoming album was recently unveiled, "White Lies," which builds on their sound with elements of danceable pop included. Their set showcased their old faithful tunes amidst some new material, and much to the crowd's delight, their sound is headed in the right direction.

Bombay Bicycle Club stepped onstage and performed the title track from their newest album, "Overdone." Screeching backdrops and pulsing rhythms bring the song to a start as the momentum gradually built. Intricate video backdrops complement the music perfectly, as their sound is absolutely on point. Their rapport with the audience is immediately engaging, as the crowd is viewed as dancing and watchful.

The group wound through a 19-song set, much to the joy of the exuberant audience. Blending material from their four full-length albums, they were able to portray a perfect palette of their musical offerings with variety and finesse. Frontman Jack Steadman's voice is smooth as syrup and his pitch never wavered, as the energy was pushed to its maximum capacity.

One element of this group's charm is their ability to discuss frank and introspective subjects amidst musical whimsy; a backdrop of dancing skeletons emerge as "Shuffle" is played, a moving montage of human forms during the next ballad. Their ambitious catalog speaks for itself, with four albums released over the span of five years. They are able to maintain ingenuity with their set, as their songs moved from a sexy subversive quality such as in "Lights Out, Words Gone" to songs that filled the room with a rumbling bass line, "Evening / Morning." Their versatility continued during "Eyes Off You," as the spotlight shone down on the lone piano.

"You guys might be the loudest crowd we've ever played to," Steadman stated, beaming. They then opened with haunting "How Do You Swallow So Much Sleep" and time seemed to melt away with the musical backdrop, a glittering amalgam of sound. They shook up the set with a gorgeous cover of Robyn's "With Every Heartbeat," and ended with the frenetic and entertaining "Carry Me," off of their latest release.

Bombay Bicycle Club was able to showcase their unique musical style and range of versatility with a set that left all of us engaged, and enlightened. Even though they were here to play a show three times in the past year, I really hope they book their return trip sooner rather than later.