The Spinto Band, Frightened Rabbit & Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps @ The Entry 10/25/2008

Frightened Rabbit

Frightened Rabbit were in top form Saturday night, playing to a packed 7th Street Entry. The four piece Scottish rock band seemed to draw energy from the hot and sweaty room and pushed through a nearly hour long set that highlighted most of the songs off of their excellent sophomore album Midnight Organ Fight. It was one of those nights in the Entry where the bands were sweating before they even hit the stage. The stifling heat and crowded room at the entry generally leads to one of two scenarios. The first involves a sluggish band that never entices the crowd and leaves the audience detached and wanting to be somewhere where the shirts aren’t sticking to their bodies. The second is when the band takes the energy and claustrophobia of the huddled masses and has an incendiary performance that makes the whole show seem like more than just another concert. Frightened Rabbit did the latter, and I think they knew it. The crowd was very receptive to their set and the band was at their best when they were playing Organ standouts “The Modern Leper,” “The Twist,” “Good Arms vs. Bad Arms” and “Heads Roll Off.” Frightened Rabbit’s already dramatic songs seemed especially rousing Saturday night as both the band and the crowd seemed to feed off each other in a euphoric exchange that can only happen in a small and crowded rock venue.

Frightened Rabbit

The Spinto Band did not do so well as far as crowd reaction with their set right after Frightened Rabbit. By the time the “headliners” hit the stage, about ¾ of the Entry had taken off, with that number increasing with each song The Spinto Band played. Their quirky pop-rock songs and their goofy stage presence seemed hollow and trite, especially after Frightened Rabbit’s dramatic set. They were promoting their new album, Moonwink, and it did not translate well Saturday night. One thing the band does have going for it is that it does not take itself too seriously. For one song a few of them played kazoos, with lead prankster Thomas Hughes taking it a step further. He had made a harmonica rack-like device out of a coat hanger so that he could play his kazoo while still dancing and playing his bass. The bands antics were entertaining for a few songs, but soon wore thin. They did not seem to engage the crowd and their set was an overall disappointment.

Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps

Before Frightened Rabbit had hit the stage, the crowd was entertained by local group Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps. The four-piece band was very good and reminded me a lot of Picked to Click winners Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles. Lead singer Caroline Smith sang with a wobbly Joanna Newsom-like voice while playing both acoustic guitar and banjo. She was backed at various times by acoustic and electric guitars, bass, keyboard and drums. The band provided great arrangements for her whimsical and poppy songs that were highlighted by her engaging and playful vocals. They were promoting their new CD, Backyard Tent Set, and are definitely worth checking out.

Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps

[Review by Josh Keller, photo and video by guest contributor Brody McCoy.]

Also: Frightened Rabbit “Liver! Lung! FR!” Review