Tonight at Bar Le Ritz, it’s an evening with musicians taking a break from their day jobs! First up is Annie Hart, one-third of NYC’s dream-pop band Au Revoir Simone. Her set starts in a jaunty electronica style, featuring just Annie, her keyboard, and a drum machine, reminiscent of the synth-pop associated with her regular band. At times, she steps away from her keyboard, allowing the drum machine to take over as she moves to the front of the stage to bust out impromptu dance steps, even mimicking the moves of the front-row audience members who are letting loose!
The mood shifts drastically for the final three songs when Annie announces, “This is a punk rock song!” She grabs a bass guitar—which we had all assumed was for tonight’s headliner—and shreds it along with her drum machine, transforming the set into a one-woman rock show. It’s a fantastic 30-minute opening for the evening.
Andrew Savage, who releases solo material as A. Savage and is the frontman of Parquet Courts, just released his second solo album, the splendid “Several Songs About Fire.” Played in its entirety tonight (though not in the order of the tracks), it offers a laid-back, mellow sound distinct from Parquet Courts. This creates a much more relaxed live experience than the last time I saw Andrew on a Montreal stage. He arrives on stage with his four-piece backing band, which almost resembles a high school ensemble. They position themselves discreetly in a U-shape at the back and sides of the stage, with Andrew to the far right. “Hurtin’ Or Healed,” a fragile, six-minute narrative, perfectly sets the scene for the rest of the record and is featured early in the set. “Indian Style” is another beautifully acoustic melody that is so well-executed, Andrew’s touring guitarist gives him applause at the song’s conclusion. “Mountain Time” and “New Green Coat” are equally soothing, with the latter featuring a sultry saxophone solo that brings a bona fide jazz club ambiance. This isn’t the only time saxophone graces the set; “Le Grand Balloon” and “Out Of Focus” also enjoy hints of its sound.
However, not all the songs are slow and mellow. “Thawing Dawn,” the title track from his 2017 debut, is wonderfully erratic with its stop-start, fast-slow pace changes, evoking a vibe akin to The Doors when the Wurlitzer keys come in. “Riding Cobbles” introduces plinky bluegrass strums in its intro, transporting us down South for a moment, while “Elvis in the Army” could be the best song you’ll hear this year, with its killer hooks and perfect melody that seem borrowed from the Parquet Courts’ style. Overall, it’s an exquisite 75 minutes of music and an excellent way to unwind at the start of the workweek.
Setlist:
- Black Holes
- Hurtin’ Or Healed
- Elvis in the Army
- Le Grand Balloon
- Riding Cobbles
- My My My Dear
- Wild, Wild, Wild Horses
- Indian Style
- Thawing Dawn
- Oyster and the Flying Fish (Kevin Ayers cover)
- Thanksgiving Prayer
- Mountain Time
- David’s Dead
- My New Green Coat
- Out Of Focus
Review & photos – Simon Williams
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