These Are Geese

 

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were discussing live music in New York City, mostly mourning the loss of long gone places we loved, like The Continental on Third Ave and St. Mark's Place, where you could just walk in, have a few cheap beers and see anyone from Johnny Thunders to The Devil Dogs, no ticket required. Or Tramps, where you could see anyone from Fountains of Wayne to Little Richard or Bob Dylan and Cheap Trick, usually for $20-$40. I made a typically snide comment, something like "Now, Geese sells out three nights in an arena."

I hadn't heard a note of Geese's music, yet I already hated them because their concert tickets were affordable and the Stones at Giants Stadium were the same price as his and hers rhinoplasty.

Then, I get an email from BBJ, featuring a few links to some Geese music, as if he had my phone tapped.

He said, "I think they appeal to me because I'm reminded a little of Little Feat's "Sailin Shoes" in their ability to play and include humor in their twisted Americana." (see "St. Elmo" below)

BBJ also sent a track from their debut "Projector," which was much different. "Rain Dance" was nothing like Little Feat, but more like something between 80's King Crimson and The Strokes, or as BBJ said, "somewhere between Television and Pavement." 

I liked everything I heard, so I bought the first album and gave it an old-fashioned spin, album cover in hand. 

Geese are great, despite being "based in Brooklyn," a phrase that usually sets me ranting like Howard Beale. I really enjoyed "Projector," though at times, I wished they would calm down. It often felt like the band couldn't decide what they wanted to be, sometimes two or three times in the same song. But that's a minor complaint because that might also be the appeal.

The live version of "Low Era" from the Stephen Colbert show sealed the deal for me. These kids have something!

Next purchase, their new one, "Country."

Thanks BBJ. Good call.