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Well,
Wednesday night Bill & I were "chaperones" for
a Rave full of Vertical Horizon fans, most of whom
could drive to the show, but couldn't drink there.
:-) But for the most part, they were a really great and
enthusiastic crowd. I know, it sounds so "old" to say, but
they were a really nice group of non-obnoxious young people
and I have some hope for the future!!! :-) (except for the
obnoxious and ugly kid smoking a cigar 2 people behind me
which was making me nauseous, and if he'd been standing
closer I'd have asked him to lose it or kneed him in the
groin!!) Anyway....
Five for
Fighting was kind of ... slow... no stand out
musicianship, no great showmanship, and they all looked like
they'd just gotten out of bed (and I don't mean that in
a good way, if that is possible). I was hoping they'd be
better, because I think the vocalist has an interesting
voice. I've actually seen them on TV twice since the
show and heard an in studio thing on WXRT. I can't put my
finger on it, but while what could be their "one hit wonder"
- a song about suicide called "Easy Tonight" is a nice song,
slightly catchy, I don't really see great things for them.
But I've been wrong
before! :-) (really??) (Since this review, "Superman" has become a huge hit. See??)
Vertical
Horizon, however, was really really great. I was so
impressed. Pure pop music, that is for sure, but they were
great musicians, have some really strong vocals, and great
stage presence. I don't have cable, I've never seen them
perform, I didn't know what they looked like.
I just had these passes that got me in for $12 which
included 2 drinks, so I thought "okay, why not?"
I think I got my money's worth.
The lead
singer, Matt, has his head shaved, and at first I said "that
look is not flattering" but a few songs into it and he was
just so damned charming to watch it didn't matter. He had a
huge and genuine smile that you just don't see that often on
stage. He had some great eye contact with the audience
members (probably female) in front which I'm sure made for
some extremely weak knees!! The other guitar player, Keith,
was very unassuming and sweet, did some great lead vocals,
and appeased the young girls waving tirelessly from the
balcony who screamed every time a light hit them or a band
member looked up at them. The bass player, Sean, was a
little blocked in my view, but occasionally came across the
stage to "work the room." Definitely not your quiet and shy
rhythm man, he hyped up the crowd as much as the Matt did.
And when I could see him, the drummer, Ed, was great
fun to watch. Energetic and agile with his drum sticks,
flipping them in his hand, and smiling away... They had a
bit of a "light show" - which never does much for me.
Nothing too fancy - basically a lot of colored spotlights
shining around stage and in the audience, but... they didn't
need it.
They did, of
course, a lot of songs from their current CD, and did them
wonderfully. Ironically, a song that I would have chosen to
do LATER in the show, "You're a God" was at the
beginning - I think I like that song so much, they
really could have played it twice!! :o) (for
those of you discerning i'll-never-admit-to-liking-pop-music
fans... sorry!! But I admit it. I like donuts.
I like Butterfingers. And I like some pop music!!
I have a sweet tooth!) "Everything You
Want" is destined for the "classic pop
song" status, and "Best I Ever Had" is
their current and wonderful love song with the "ain't that
the truth" line "Love can be so boring..."
Interestingly, for their first encore, they dared to do
a cover of "Beautiful Day" by U2 and pulled it off. They
kept pretty true to the U2 version... To avoid getting
struck by lightning, I won't say they almost did it
better... (Bill said it!) Then, on the last song of
the night, somewhere during a little jam, they deviated
slightly and did a small "taste" of "Tom Sawyer" by Rush and
I was kind of hoping to hear them play it!! Nah. They were
just teasing. GOOD THING, as it seemed to be the only time
the audience was dumbfounded (and I was there saying "Yeah!!
Rush!!") !! But they were great. I'll probably check them
out if they play Summerfest and weed through the sea of
youth!!
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