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FEBRUARY 5, 2013 ARTS & SOCIETY PAGE 12 Brooks Long and Fractal Cat represent 1970s at WLOY Late Night Concert Mayfield’s “Superfly” title track. Brooks’ reverb-laden outro played by the band at the to help fans stay in touch. It’s this spirit of BY ANTHONY LANDI STAFF WRIT E R voice lends itself to playing songs of the end of the set; the strong, instrumental finish kinship that allows for such unique bands late funk-pioneer, and in this live setting it floored the audience, filling McGuire with to exist in Baltimore. Almost every genre WLOY hosted yet another Late Night sounded superb. Perhaps the greatest strength echoing guitar and a sense of Fractal Cat’s conceivable plays around the city, creating a Concert Series event in McGuire Hall on of Brooks Long is his onstage presence and musical expertise. truly special environment for music fans to January 31. The event culls musical talent confidence. In the middle of songs he’d top Overall, the night was impressive; the be exposed to new and exciting bands. from Baltimore’s unique music scene in a the band and initiate a James Brown-esque local talent in Baltimore is setting where students can enjoy refreshments call and response (a kind of “hit me” thing), truly something unique and and hear local music free of charge. This with the band was always on cue and never a culture our students are week, the bands were Brooks Long and missing a beat. rarely exposed to. When asked Fractal Cat, two groups that couldn’t be any After Brooks Long came Fractal Cat, about the strengths of being more different; yet, each delivered excellent another band influenced by the sounds of a musician in the Baltimore sets. the ‘70s but in a very different vein. The scene, Brooks was optimistic, The first group to take the stage was five-piece psychedelic band’s sound is very saying, “[Baltimore] doesn’t Brooks Long. Brooks had been a solo at home for Grateful Dead fans, playing have an established mainstream musician, singing with an acoustic guitar rock infused with timeless Americana. industry status, so everybody in Baltimore for a year before expanding Their songs have a mystical quality to plays because of their passion. to include his bandmates Ian and Dan, who them; the heady lyrics are often very dream- No one’s trying to get rich.” play bass and drums, respectively. They play like and impressionistic, drawing obvious That was a more than fair a blend of ’70s funk and soul, a sound that comparisons to Phish and Trey Anastasio’s assessment of the scene and the rings back to the heyday of Motown and song writing style. The songs are often night as a whole—both bands Detroit-based pop. Even the band’s EP title, quick-paced and happy, usually followed up play the music that they want Let’s Make Out to Otis Redding, proudly by a flurry of guitar soloing. Miles, the shoe- to play without pandering to displays the band’s influences. less lead guitarist/singer, plays leads with the interests of others to reach Brooks’ focuses primarily on the groove adventurous fury, boasting truly impressive a larger audience. Fractal Cat and instrumentals, rather than lyrics of his technical brilliance. Perhaps my favorite part gave away free copies of their songs; the way the rhythms lock together of Fractal Cat is the way the band unhinges new album as a sign of goodwill really defines their sound. Each member is when a solo kicks in—the acoustic guitar is and as a means of spreading a very talented musician—Dan’s drumming strummed a little harder, the drums become their music; most bands often blew me away in particular. It’s a relaxed, more forceful and everyone seems to hone charge upwards of $5 or $10 subdued feel, yet features bursts of technical in on the moment. Their song “Trip Tide” per CD, but this unorthodox dazzle when it’s called for. Brooks’ voice has a light, fun melody that wouldn’t be too notion was greatly appreciated is also very distinctive—it can be sweet out of place being performed at Bonnaroo by the concertgoers. Brooks and gentle, and then all of a sudden turn or Mountain Jam—it’s that good. The continually joked with the into a soulful wail on a dime. One of the most haunting moment—and my favorite attendees, and at the end of highlights of the set was a cover of Curtis all-around moment of the night—was the the show offered an e-mail list JAKE RAU S CHER /THE GREYHOUND Fractal Cat performs in McGuire Hall. British indie-pop band The xx sell out at Rams Head Live BY BRIDGET BUNTON say, I was so stoked. The xx’s opening act songs, giving many thanks to the crowd, and what their music expresses. Their vocals STAFF WRIT E R was Austra, a fairly new Canadian electronic they don’t really need to say much because were perfectly accompanied by an intricate music group whose debut album Feel It Break it’s all in their songs. light show of blues, greens, as well as white The xx is a little known alternative/indie- and black to go along with certain songs. A pop band from London, England, composed particularly ecstasy-enticing part of the set of three young talents in their early 20s: was that, in certain songs, the bass was so Jamie Smith (who goes by Jamie xx), Romy intensely strong that it vibrated the entire Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. While they are venue. That, combined with the strategic still gaining prominence in the music scene and artfully placed flashes of light, created among followers, they have already begun to an incredible musical experience. gain critical acclaim for their music since the Sim and Croft’s signature moves throughout release of their debut album, xx, in August of the performance included a meet at the 2009. It was ranked ninth on Rolling Stone middle of the stage face-to-face. Sim would Magazine’s “Best Album of the Year” list repeatedly glide across the stage with and also won the Mercury Music Prize. Their smoldering eyes that pierced the audience’s songs have been featured on an assortment of hearts. Jamie xx’s solos were magnificent, television shows and other media platforms, as he remixed behind clear boxes likened to and they have played several popular ice cubes with the outline of an “x” in each. music festivals in North America including The set included a consistent shuffle of songs Coachella and Bonnaroo. Aside from that, from their debut and sophomore album, with they have recently released their sophomore never a dull moment during the total hour and album in September of 2012, Coexist, which a half. Their 13-track set was accompanied by leaps onto a completely different level in BRID G E T BUN T ON /THE GREYHOUND a three-song encore as demanded by cheers terms of their musical prowess. The xx performs at Rams Head Live. from the audience. My favorite tracks of With the release of their sophomore album, was released in 2011. I’m not very aware of I always like to skim through the iTunes theirs in their set include “Infinity,” “Shelter,” the trio has begun to tour once again; luckily the band, but I did recognize the last song of reviews of albums, and I found the following “Night Time” and “Angels”; however, for me, their travels included a stop at Rams their set entitled “Lose It,” which is perhaps quote from their Coexist album to be all of their tunes are amazing, and you Head Live on Monday, January 28. My friend their most famous single. It’s upbeat and fun; particularly interesting: “makeout music for should definitely check them out on iTunes. and fellow The xx fan and I were smart to I suggest giving it a listen. cool kids.” That assessment is spot-on in my Download both of their albums; you won’t arrive at the venue around 7:15 p.m. with the Austra finished their set, and the stage opinion, because Romy Croft’s soft intonation regret it. In fact, you’ll probably want to hug show set to start at 8 p.m. because it filled was prepared as everyone in the crowd and Oliver Sim’s crooning vocals mix flow The xx after your first listen. up quickly. There was a mixed crowd in the anxiously awaited the arrival of The xx and with one another to create something fans small venue, mostly composed of college their wonderful British accents that would of the band would pun-ily term “sexy.” I’ve kids like us. The balconies were lined with serenade us all. They strolled on stage at always wondered what the name of their band Follow us @artsgreyhound people and there wasn’t a free spot in the half past 9 p.m. and played until around 11 refers to. My conclusion is that it’s supposed for all arts & society news place; it was a sold out show. We ended up p.m. It was a mind-blowing experience, to to be the symbol for hugs, where an “o” is the in the second row of people, center stage, say the least. They’re amazing performers. counterpart for kisses. The name of their band around Loyola with a perfect view of the band. Needless to They remain modest in their words between itself describes intimacy and love, which is THE GREYHOUND.