concert review: Annuals, The Most Serene Republic, What Laura Says

Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco
14 May 2010

Bottom of the Hill rarely features shows with fewer than three bands, usually very varied in sound, so if you walk away dissatisfied with everything presented, you are just one hard-to-please customer. The night commenced with the Arizona based What Laura Says, an incredible band who combine Southern twang, Gospel roots, and totally sweet guitar work and present it with some of the best band chemistry I’ve ever seen on stage. What Laura Says is two parts badassery, one part Doors-inspired baby making music. Focusing a lot on the orgasmic sounds that can be made with the wondrous six strings of a guitar, the band pushed the limits of rock n roll well into the territory of 60s psychedelia, reviving the cosmic energy of some of the greats, like Hendrix. If you needed more proof, look no further than the flowing locks of hair in their sweaty, intensely focused faces.

4/5







Next up were Canadian indie rockers The Most Serene Republic who were exactly that: serene indie rockers from Canada. Nothing bad to say about this band except that they did not present anything out of the ordinary. They played the game by the rules down to the awkward dancing and delivered a solid set, but nothing to write home about. Except, perhaps, the often interesting layers created by lead singer Adrian Jewett’s trombone playing. But I guess that just filled the weirdness quota every indie band must meet, lest they tread into mainstream territory.

3.5/5

set list:

photos:







Annuals closed up the night quite nicely with an impeccable round of percussion. When they say that they are a band who appreciate the art of drumming, they are not kidding. Utilizing all six members on stage to the fullest extent possible, the Raleigh based band ensured that there was not a rhyme nor a measure that you could have wished they had covered ground on. Adam Baker delivered his lead vocal duties with an intense amount of passion, so much that it was mostly accompanied by a strained face throughout the night. There is little time to smile when you are singing your heart out.

3.8/5


set list:

What Laura Says - Training [mp3, RECOMMENDED!]

The Most Serene Republic - From Heaven to Purgatory [mp3]

Annuals - Sway [mp3]