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Hemlock Tavern September 8, 2002 Review by Jake Thomas I wasn't even sure I was going to this show. I mentioned this to Daz the night before, and she was so emphatic about me showing up that she offered to pay my way in. Even though I'm unemployed, I'm not so hard up that I can't afford a five dollar show. When I walked into the band area, I saw that there was more gear on the stage than there were people in attendance. Turns out it was Built Like Alaska's, as they were the opening band. Sometimes, it's a good thing that the opening band is the one you came to see, especially on a Sunday night. It means you get to leave early if the other bands are no good. A few minutes and some small talk after I arrive, Built Like Alaska took the stage - 4 dudes and one pretty damn cute girl. For the record, the guys might have been attractive too, but I'm never sure with guys. They didn't have any deformities or anything, so they had that going for them at least. Once they started playing, I was enamored. This was some of the best local music I have heard in a long time. Actually, some of the best period, local or not. I had only heard a couple of mp3s before the show, so I wasn't fully prepared for what I was going to encounter. Hailing from the central valley, it would be real easy to compare their sound to Grandaddy, and it would fit to some extent. But I'm more inclined to think that the ELO-type keyboard stylings are just a result of their location and scene, as Built Like Alaska have been together for around five years. Either way, they are reminiscent of Grandaddy crossed with a little alt-country flavor. During the live show, the singer's voice reminded me of Travis from The Dismemberment Plan, but I think that was probably only heard by me and my peculiar ears. On their recordings I don't hear it at all, but I do hear elements of Ben Gibbard/Death Cab for Cutie, and as a classic rock reference, Pink Floyd. I think it is to the band’s credit that during the show, I couldnd't think of anything to compare them to, and this almost never happens to me. It was only after numerous listens to their recorded materials that I was able to draw any conclusions. They blend their influences beautifully, be it the ones that I hear or whatever else it might be, and have a unique sound that would benefit everyone a listen. And as a bonus, I picked up their limited edition EP at the show for five bucks, which was a steal. It might be the coolest cd I've ever purchased - it looks like a tiny book, with handmade art and personally numbered out of ten. I got number one! Sorry for being a fanboy, but this sort of shit always excites me. Going into the show, I was undecided as to whether or not I would stick around for the second band, Amor. But I enjoyed Built Like Alaska so much that I decided to stick around and give them a shot. Plus, I had heard that they were on tour from France, so that seemed intriguing enough. As it turned out, they were only two guys, and only one of them was French I think. And he has been in the US for a few years. From what I read on their website, they live in Tucson and sometimes collaborate with the other famous locals of the area, including Calexico and Giant Sand. There were originally two French members, but one of them went back, and was replaced with a guy who plays cello. None the less, they played an interesting mix of sounds, most of which I liked. They were heavily influenced by that Tucson-southwest sound, as well as French pop and various other sounds. The more experimental stuff was great, often sounding like a southwestern version of Dirty Three with vocals. Sometimes those vocals were in English, but they were mostly in French. The poppier stuff seemed a bit too kitschy for me, like Serge Gainsbourg or one of those French pop dudes that the girls seem to go gaga over. Also, this show almost put me to sleep, but that may have more to do with it being on a Sunday night. I would say I thoroughly enjoyed three fourths of their part of the show, but could do without the overly poppy bits. I'm sure if the right people heard them and they got pushed accordingly, they could garner themselves quite a following. All in all, a great Sunday night at the Hemlock. Glad I decided to go out after all. --- Read our other Built Like Alaska reviews: December 1st, 2001 @ Oakdale Brewing Company December 8, 2001 @ Café du Nord November 11, 2001 @ Bimbo's 365 July 2, 2001 @ Great American Music Hall June 15, 2001 @ the Dirty Duck in Modesto May 29, 2001 @ the Dirty Duck March 20, 2001 @ Café du Nord |