Trashcan Sinatras at the Key Club June 4 2010

Trashcan Sinatras at the Key Club

Friday June 4, 2010

Featuring Ruby Friedman Orchestra and Mike Viola

3 Stars

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It was a night of melodies and atmospherics, spearheaded by the epically orchestral rock band Ruby Friedman Orchestra and followed by acclaimed soundtrack singer-songwriter Mike Viola.  Although I’d argue the order of the lineup was strange — placing a lone guitarist/singer after a big rock band undermines the mood of a live venue — I can’t really complain about the quality of the acts.  The Orchestra streamroll the place with vibrant indie energy, and Viola’s a mastermind behind some of the best soundtrack music that everybody’s heard and loves (“That Thing You Do” is but one of many tracks you’ll instantly recognize).

When it came time to focus on the main act, the Club got nice and packed.  Starting with a lone keyboard/piano intro before the rest of the band makes an appearance, you immediately knew what this night was going to be about.  Melodic sensibility and atmospheric rock music.  The Trashcan Sinatras don’t have 40 foot plumes of pyrotechnics, nor frickin’ laser beams, nor anything flashy or pompous.  Hell, I’d be surprised if there was more than a handful of quick movements on the stage, save for the drummers sticks and the fingers on the keyboard setup.

No, these guys came out and focused on delivering their music, and nothing else.  The sole focus is on the chords and keys, the beats and builds, the sonic soundscape laid down to back the clever lyrics and the clean vocals that make up their April release of “In the Music” and previous albums.  It’s a tight show, and one that you can’t fault if the music is your thing: these guys are impeccable, even better than on their album.

But to be fair, if you’re at a show to see a show, and not just listen to an album (or hear the album sound even better than in your music player of choice), you’re not getting much.  Ruby Friedman and her gang blasted the crowd with their presence.  Mike Viola spun some amusing yarns and joked about his soundtrack-writing experiences.  But the Trashcan Sinatras came out and just played.  Played really damn good, but just played.

So if you’re looking for flash and fire, you won’t get it here.  Skip it.  But if you’re into watching a band come out and execute their music with the precision of 20+ years of perfected craftsmanship, and pulling a wide catalog together into a suite of beautiful atmospherics, then you’d be a fool to miss it.

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For more info: Check out the following links and watch the slideshow below.  Photos by Tim Bannock (the alright ones) and Cole Lundstrom (the really good ones!).

• Trashcan Sinatras official website
• The Key Club

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Were you there?  Tell us what you thought in the comments below!