Sleigh Bells @ Ridgewood Masonic Temple 5/11/2010
(Metal Intro) / Tell ‘Em / Infinity Guitars / A/B Machines / Kids / Riot Rhythm / Treats / Straight A’s / Holly / Crown On The Ground // Rill Rill

Sleigh Bells - “Infinity Guitars”1. Sleigh Bells are not fucking around. They show up ready to fully commit and entertain, and stalk the stage with the intensity of boxers in the ring. Like the music itself, the show is elemental and assertive, simple enough to be obvious, though novel enough to make you wonder why no one has ever really done it quite like this before.

2. The Ridgewood Masonic Temple, though roughly the size of the Bowery Ballroom, is not a proper music venue, and so the PA left something to be desired in terms of loudness. Ideally, you want this music to be overwhelmingly loud. You want that crunk low-end to really demolish you, you know? On the up side, Alexis Krauss’ vocals were clear and loud in the mix, more so than on the studio recordings.

3. Krauss is an incredibly charismatic performer, and she is as potent in a live context as Derek Miller’s tracks are on the album. A lot of the thrill in watching her is just seeing someone have such a blast on stage. She is totally aware of how awesome it is to sing over these beats and riffs, and in a way, she’s as much a lead singer as a hype person for the music in general.

4. Yeah, people were going bonkers. There were a lot of cameras and a lot of guest list action going on, but people came to rock. “A/B Machines”, “Kids,” “Crown On The Ground”? Total bangers.

5. At the start of “Tell ‘Em”, someone up in the balcony tossed out a bunch of beach balls and a large inflatable shark. At some point in “Infinity Guitars”, Alexis caught the shark and threw it back at the the crowd while shouting. I think that might be a metaphor for the band’s style.

6. Let’s stop for a moment to reflect on the finale of “Infinity Guitars.” You know, the part where it comes back even louder than before, and the BASS OF ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION kicks in? That is so so so so so awesome.

7. I expected this show to be fun, but I was still surprised by how much they seem to be ready for big venues and large crowds. They really go for it, and they’re really appreciating their moment. If you’re inclined to see them live, you should do so as soon as you can.

8. Especially if you are a teenager. I kept thinking on the way home about how this band would be such an amazing first rock show for a teenager.

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