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Story by Brett Taylor After taking a needed break after the release of 2008's Evil Urges the road warriors have returned as the darling of the festival and live circuit once again. The rejuvenated band illuminated the Riverside fresh from the stages of the Bonneroo festival in Tennessee, which has become a mecca for the faithful of the band. Fans lucky enough to see one of the first theatre shows of the "Circuital" tour were treated to a band determined to take the success of their career to the next level. Lead vocalist Jim James danced and moshed like a caged animal in knee high fur boots and his now familiar black cape, adding some interesting visual imagery to accompany the intense music and lyrics. For every visual movement that James provided, the Kentucky quintet kept up with him step for step offering both serene folk like moments as well as full out psychedelic jams that twisted and turned always landing at the right moment. After opening with the first three songs from the new record, the band then delved into more of their familiar canon including "Off the Record," "Gideon," and the fan favorite "Run Thru." Guitarist Carl Broemel added both flash and panache, along with some major subtlety to his tone. Broemel traded licks with James when appropriate and showed major restraint to allow for Bo Koster to flourish with keyboard strokes. Koster adds a depth of solidarity to the band that holds things together much like Richard Wright of Pink Floyd. Not enough positive can be said regarding the rhythm section of Tom Blankenship and Patrick Hallahan. "Two Tone" Tommy lays into the bass with a furious finger picking style that reminded me of Cliff Burton combined with John Entwistle. The throw-back Hallahan plays with the "tight but loose" sentimentality of so many of the classic drummers of the seventies that the modern era has forgotten with the utilization of pro-tools and click tracks which have sterilized modern music. Obviously the band enjoys playing at the Riverside as James gushed about the treatment of the band and the venue's Kubrickesque interior. All of Milwaukee can hope that this relationship continues and brings this band chock full of potential back to delight us again and again. |
Milwaukee Setlist: | |
1. Victory Dance 2. Circuital 3. The Day Is Coming 4. Wordless Chorus 5. Off The Record 6. Gideon 7. The Way That He Sings 8. Heartbreakin Man 9. Wonderful (The Way I Feel) 10. Outta My System 11. First Light 12. Lay Low 13. Old September Blues |
14. Slow Slow Tune 15. Steam Engine 16. Movin Away 17. You Wanna Freak Out 18. What A Wonderful Man 19. Holdin On To Black Metal 20. Mahgeetah Encore: 21. Dondante 22. Smokin From Shootin 23. (end of) Run Thru 24. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2 25. One Big Holiday |