all photos: Caity Lennon
So I’m nearly convinced Thursday’s triple bill at the Rock & Roll Hotel was the most fantastically adorable line-up I’ve seen in a long time. Local BYT ultra-crush Carol Bui, Boston sweethearts Drug Rug and the preciousness that is The Rosebuds made for a heart-warming, awesome night amidst the snow and slush and bitter cold.
About the only thing that could have made the night sickeningly sweet and adorable would have a marriage proposal. Oh wait, we got that too, mid Rosebuds set. It was seriously like “couples only skate” at the Hotel. Anyone who was single or lonely at the show probably walked away more bitter than ever before, especially following the proposal.
If she’s not busy breaking hearts, she’s gaining fans, and last night was no different. Carol Bui and company rocked the stage of a less than packed Hotel room. With only a couple dozen on the floor for the performance, (including one very excited guy in the front who seemed to be seizing the entirety of the show) Bui rocked the tunes from last year’s release “Everyone Wore White,” closing with the intense and not R.E.M. song “Rockville.” That song is really infectious.
Drug Rug, the Boston band with the terrible name but surprisingly pleasant sound hit the stage next. Another band led by a cutesy couple, but knowing nothing about the band going into the night, I was excited with the outcome. Shame on me for not thinking the meat of the Carol Bui/Rosebuds sandwich wasn’t going to be just as scrumptious.
It was the first night of their tour and the throw-backy, soulful and poppy group was tight and catchy as hell. There’s really no other way to describe the sound, just catchy as hell and it kept my feet moving.
The Rosebuds were as wonderful as I remembered from seeing them headline the Rock & Roll a year ago. I missed when they opened up for The National, but whatever, I love being able to see them headline, even if only 100 people are there - which seemed about the case last night.
Ivan and Kelly, along with their newish drummer sampled each the EPs and LPs with an emphasis on last year’s “Night of the Furies” release. “Leaves Do Fall,” “Boxcar,” “Cemetery Lawn,” made their way into the night, finally closing with one of the catchiest songs of last year “Get Up Get Out.” The love for Kelly was abound too, with scream after scream of “I LOVE YOU KELLY!.” Poor Ivan, he’s probably one of my favorite male vocalists - he needs love too.
Apparently, I should have paid more attention to The Rosebuds Myspace page pre-show because they were definitely taking song requests via their blog. Maybe then I would have heard “Bluebird” and “Warm Where You Lay.” Oh well.
Someone did though, arranging to not only get a song played, but a marriage proposal to his girlfriend of two years. Kelly even hopped of the stage and stood in the front, taking pictures of the proposal. It was achingly sweet, despite the douche in the back who actually booed very loudly.
And the song that followed the proposal? “Shake Our Tree,” complete with Kelly dancing around in the audience.
Good times.
carol bui did rock. she has a very unique, captivating sound.
“With only a couple dozen on the floor for the performance, (including one very excited guy in the front who seemed to be seizing the entirety of the show)”
January 21, 2008 at 6:41 pmthat guy should have had elaine bennis as his dance partner. at least he was having fun, though.