The Smith Westerns / Yuck @ the Loft

Almost seeing a band then finally seeing them has become a reoccurring theme on this site as of late. I have almost seen a bunch of bands, most notably in New York, and then finally catching them when they stop in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This is no different for the Smith Westerns after I missed them at Mercury Lounge early last year; I saw openers Male Bonding before I left due to feeling ill. As luck would have it, or lack thereof, I was sick again when the Smith Westerns came rolling into town.

First off, let me say how much I enjoyed Yuck's set. I found myself lucky enough to catch them as they were getting some really good press; I actually read a great write up by Paste Magazine the day of the show. So, my expectations were somewhat high when they took the stage. And wow. I was blown away. Their sound was so good, even though it wasn't your typical indie rock (surfy, pop). It was raw and powerful yet still maintained a level of melody that kept it enjoyable. I was very impressed.

After watching Yuck perform such a great set, I will admit that I almost felt bad when the Smith Westerns took the stage. They did their best to make sure the crowd was having a good time with their jovial banter and fun, indie pop rock. As much as I tried, I just couldn't get into the live show; I think I'm more a fan of their studio albums, which is rare for me. I think they did provide a great set for those who love their music, but I think the casual listener would have been a little let down. I think they deserve all the credit they've been receiving as of late, but I just don't think their live show translates to everybody yet.

Videos of the show are below:

Yuck