Toronto – Two years can mean a lot these days. For a band that has enjoyed any level of hype, it can spell catapulting success or cast virtual amnesia amongst today’s fickle youth. That is, if you don’t give them a reason to remember you.
In the case of The Antlers, no one has worked harder to stay in our memory banks. It seems that their non-stop touring of Hospice has worked, which leads me to believe that Frenchkiss is a better label than most, and that their agent is doing his job in terms of getting them dates and selling out shows. When we first met them in 2009, they were opening for Frightened Rabbit, and as predicted, have become a legitimate opener in their own right.
I’m pleased to announce that their sophomore effort Burst Apart has very much cemented them as the real deal. The new songs sound comparitavely flat now, and I’m happy there was a new (and much needed) energy injected into the show from the new release. Ricky will disagree with me here, but I felt the slowed down parts of Two and Bear felt like uncomfortable inertia.
Fortunately for us, the vast majority of the show featured some impressive sonic guitars, presence-commanding keyboard (their keyboardist has really kicked it up a few notches), and wailing castrato vocals done well. Frenchkiss label mates Passion Pit should be taking notes from young Peter Silberman.
Setlist
Parentheses – Burst Apart
Kettering – Hospice
No Widows – Burst Apart
I Don’t Want Love – Burst Apart
French Exit – Burst Apart
Rolled Together – Burst Apart
Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out – Burst Apart
Bear – Hospice
Hounds – Burst Apart
Putting the Dog to Sleep – Burst Apart
Encore:
Two – Hospice
Corsicana – Burst Apart
Wake – Hospice
The Antlers – Parentheses by Frenchkiss