The Album Leaf and Sea Wolf Charm at Bowery
by Mike
I’ve always liked the Bowery Ballroom for its intimate and unique setting but after being perfectly paired with the music of The Album Leaf and Sea Wolf, there is a now a new luster to the place. Sea Wolf’s creator Alex Church first took the stage solo with the acoustic ballad “Orion & Dog” – which got us thinking that the set was going to be an individual outing. After the sweet tune, the rest of the Los Angeles-bred clan joined Church and started their impressive performance. I was standing up at the front by the cello player for the show, in direct view of the many facial expressions on stage. Beside concentration, they ranged from ‘I’m really stoned‘ to ‘Happy as a clam to be here!‘ The coming to life of “Dew In The Grass” – the live song I enjoyed most – has stayed with me since. At the end of Sea Wolf’s set, I was reminded why White Water, White Bloom was one of my favorite records of 2009.
During Album Leaf’s set-up, I wondered if I should grab some tissues because I tend to get choked up during instrumentally driven sets (Mogwai being my last). What I got instead was a euphoric, dreamy series of songs. What really surprised me was that creating such an effect, was a large act composed of 10 people. Key details such as shades of lights that pulsated with the highs & lows of each instrument – to the backdrop of the band’s logo of a leaf – added visual beauty to everything the ensemble played. Most of the tracks were those off of this year’s A Chorus of Storytellers. At my vantage point I was able to spot that the same logo was meaningfully tattooed on the forearm of front-man, Jimmy Lavelle…making more sense than the ink on your average punk rocker! I realized that I had been in a hypnotic, abstracted state of mind after someone from the crowd shouted – “Your music helps me sleep at night!” Wherever that fan is – we couldn’t agree with you more! If for any reason you need to relax, keep in mind the delicate companionship of The Album Leaf and Sea Wolf.
Special Thanksto Zane Smythe // The Worker’s Institute
Tags: Sea Wolf, The Album Leaf
- May 24, 2010
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