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Nik
Freitas / Built Like Alaska
Café Du Nord January 21, 2004 Review
by Jake Thomas
It’s about damned time is all I have to say…about damned I got to see Built Like Alaska again, because it had been much too long since the last time I had seen them and heard their sweet melodies. You should have heard me muttering under my breath and cursing while I waited on the tardy-as-always J-Church to come pick me up. Sure, the responsible show-goer would have left the house early enough that this wouldn’t be a problem, but then that would have made me miss part of “The O.C.” which I refused to let happen. Luckily, when I walked into the club I saw that BLA was setting up their stuff and I had not missed any part of the show. After some salutations and chatter with a few miscellaneous friends that were scattered about, the band got started playing their fine music. I noticed that they were short one guitarist since the last time I saw them, but the music didn’t really suffer for the loss; it did seem like the cute keyboard player girl (who’s name is Suzane I think but I’m terrible with names and their website isn’t telling me jack squat) was a lot busier than usual though. They played a few older songs (unfortunately not “Burning Mine” or “Meat on Your Bones”) and some new ones as well that sounded terrific, as expected. Hopefully they’re working on a new recording, because I’m just itching to have something new to play on my way to and from work, their music just seems to make the day go by a little better. Nik Freitas was great, just as I remembered from last time. and for some reason it was at this show that it kicked in what he really reminds me of – The Band. I can’t quite place why, but something about his music just makes me think that. It may have something to do with the fact that I’ve been listening to The Band a lot lately, I dunno. Anyways, he plays beautifully crafted, piano-heavy pop songs, has a fantastic voice, puts on a great live performance, and most importantly he smiles a lot, something you don’t see enough out of performers these days. I might have gone for Built Like Alaska, but I stuck around for Nik. --- Read our previous Nik Freitas reviews: June 9, 2003 @ Bottom of the Hill Read our previous Built Like Alaska reviews: March 3, 2003 @ Mainzer Theater, Merced September 8, 2002 @ Hemlock Tavern 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 ©2004 playinginfog.com |