concert review: Julian Casablancas @ the Regency Ballroom (San Francisco), 17 November 2009

[photo is not mine, snagged it off some forum]

There’s something so personal about listening to Is This It. The low production and ensuing fuzziness tricks you into believing that you can sound just like Julian. It’s easy to sing along, the arrangements and lack of alliterative lyrics make it seem like a piece of cake. It’s so raw, so accessible, and it gets you to believe that you’re a rock star too. And then that faulty self-assurance dips into Room on Fire and even First Impressions of Earth, which houses an uncharacteristically wide range for Julian.

Then comes Phrazes for the Young, and you’re so excited, you’re singing along anyway, even though you know you shouldn’t. You know that Julian has far exceeded the grasp of your fantasy rock-stardom (Guitar Hero aside).

And then you’re at the concert and singing your heart out. And you can’t hear yourself, because everything’s so loud. And then you give your video souvenirs a listen and realize how fucking mortal you are in comparison to you know who. The other JC.

Holy crap this man can sing.

He can write mad good songs. The live sound shook my world amuck. The guitars stood out so much amongst a sea of synth. The cadence of every instrument was perfect, although slightly faster than the album. The Sick Six have their shit together for sure, that Conan performance was very misleading.

I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the fact that he didn’t go for visually stunning shows like the ones for his Los Angeles residency, but honestly people, who cares? What difference does it make what you’re looking at? You know you’re gonna end up being mesmerized by his golden pipes and leather jacket even if it’s raining oompa loompas and crème brule.

What the hell, Julian? Wasn’t this supposed to be like your I’m-having-fun-messing-around-writing-songs-album? Why the world is it so intense and layered and crisp and gorgeous? Why must you force fans to adore you in your introverted, low key glory (ironically enough, often expressed in high musical notes), and find everything from your new found hunch to your less than successful attempt to destroy the mike stand endearing rather than pathetic in comparison?

There’s something oddly reassuring about the fact that Julian turned to JP (the “guru” of Is This It) to be his main axe man. Much beyond mere graciousness (sober or not), it shows growth. Maturity, in the best sense of the word. An acknowledgment that no matter what direction your career takes, your roots are what matter the most. And this is the kind of man we can trust with our next Strokes album.

It doesn't matter what he sings, or when he's singing it.
He can make you forget the world, and everything bad that’s ever happened.
He is the saviour of rock n roll, pure and simple. This fact remains the same, and I am born again.

5/5

Julian Casablancas - Out of the Blue (live, SF) [mp3]

just look at this epic set list:



HE PLAYED 30 MINUTE BOYFRIEND. holy crap that made my night. really, the slew of songs from 11th Dimension to Out of the Blue is absolutely genius.

you can watch and hear the entire show (minus the opening band, sorry! I'll post about them soon) HERE