rx avqzgbxnseTQpjm5YC4wewohAO6KvirGnHhMsY075CE” width=”640″ height=”426″ />After their biggest year, a band that came together in Jamaica Plain almost ten years ago are celebrating by it throwing it down for three nights straight at the Sinclair. With each night taking on a different costumed theme, the first being, “Homecoming” seemingly fits well with the kind of year this band has had going to the moon and back; back that is, to their Boston roots. In 2014 it was almost impossible to miss Lake Street Dive, or is it Drive? It’s Dive, but it is kind of interesting that nobody seems to know. Even among their ever growing fanbase at the first of the three shows on Monday I attempted to ask numerous fans which one it was, which only seemed to add to the confusion. So let’s be clear, it’s Dive, and regardless they had a monster year playing everything from Newport Folk Festival, Boston Calling, Ellen and everywhere else in between. It was hard not to come across the local session players who formed LSD at the New England Conservatory, even if people can’t get their name right. So coming home to Boston to play a “homecoming” themed show just seemed to be right where LSD belongs after what must have been an exciting and exhausting year.
And it is appropriate to use the acronym LSD because in their attempt to deck out the Sinclair for their theme, large cut out letters were hung from the balcony and backdrop of the stage spouting the 50’s high school athletic jacket lettering. However, I seemed to be the only person in the otherwise pretty basic crowd making any sort psychedelic connection to the name, which also makes it safe to say I felt a little out of place among the mostly yuppie crowd.
Music is music though and as soon as the LSD took the stage, walking out starting line-up style to the Rocky theme song, (and yes I am going to continue use LSD) Racheal Price’s voice immediately overpowered all the squawking mid-twenties girls that were white wine drunk and congregating as a pack in the middle of the dance floor. With that being said, Price’s vocals are definitively the highlight of this band and thankfully can help you transcend the crowd your among. This isn’t to knock the other members of the band who are obviously well trained, especially upright bassist Bridget Kearney who slings around her bass like it’s an electric guitar, and guitarist Mike Olsen who was sporting some pretty sweet 80’s gym shorts and trading off licks from his minty fender to trumpet and harmonies duties. But despite the musical prowl of all the members its Price’s vocals and charisma that shines through to make this a “must see” act.
When you hear her you can’t help but think about Aretha Franklin, and other soul singing influences, which inevitably brings me back again to how much influence I think Amy Winehouse has had on music since her departure. Not to say LSD wasn’t doing the retro jazz and soul thing around the same time, (they formed in 2004) but just the fact that Winehouse showed people that there was an audience for new and original jazz and soul music and not one just relying on old standards and being satisfied with playing venues like the Boston’s Beehive. In that affect, I don’t think there would be an audience for LSD records or one big enough to sell out three nights at the Sinclair. Not to mention the fury of other artists like Adele, Sharon Jones, Lorde and even Gaga that came in her Winehouse’s wake. Which also merits a big kudos to Price for sticking with a full band concept instead of possibly trying to take on the solo career that she was signed on to for the better part of 2012.
Either way, if 2014 was any indication, anything retro-soul, R&B from St. Paul and Broken Bones, to Mark Ronson’s reemergence, to the success LSD received behind their latest record and tour is here to stay. Much of the material off Bad Self Portraits was played Monday along with a myriad of throw-back covers. The rendition of Annie Lenox’s “Broken Glass” was especially sweet even if it wasn’t replicated perfectly. It’s also a song that’s been steadily worked into their repertoire, having heard it early this year, giving it more than just a cover mention but “rendition” tag.
Most of the high points of their show came early in the night though with “Rabid Animal” starting the night off with a spark, followed by two more of the night’s most upbeat numbers. “Use Me Up” had a nice steady climb and definitely plays out much better live than off the record. “Stop Me Crying” fit the 50’s Homecoming high school dance just as perfectly as Price’s cheerleader outfit. The album’s title track, “Bad Self Portraits” however, seemed a little played out and tired, perhaps just to me but it didn’t pack a punch as much as I expected it to and made me question the choice as single. Perhaps just the lyrics coinciding with the year of the #selfie played into their choice to play it on just about every late night talk show, but there are much better songs off the record they could have chosen. Closing the night with a “Stand by Me” wrapped up a theme-night nicely with a spinning disco ball adding to the occasion.
Wrapping up the first of three nights with a Hawaiian Luau and Prom still to come, I couldn’t help but think that asking your fans to dress up on these otherwise pretty cheesy themes is a little bit of a ploy to help them sell out a market they already over hit this year. Who am I kidding of course it is, but I guess it makes it makes it fun people so I’m not going to knock it just because I wasn’t up for looking like an idiot. I understand that’s for all the white wine drinkers of the world to get dressed up in bloomers and sock hop attire and make their boyfriends grease their hair up to take photos with. I get all that, I’m just not going to do it. This is of course all coming from the same person who dressed up as a full steampunk for an Arcade Fire earlier this year.
