Neurosis, Red Sparowes and Grails at GAMH

Michelle and I saw Neurosis at the Great American Music Hall on Sunday with Red Sparowes and Grails. It was a totally awesome show. Considering Neurosis doesn't play out but a few times a year, no self-respecting fan of thoughtful heavy music would have missed it. And the opening acts, Grails and Red Sparowes, literally stole the show... in the way that the Eagles of Death Metal steal shows: by the time the headliner comes on, you're left with that feeling of having just seen a bunch of previews in a movie theatre and you forgot what damn movie you paid to see. Grails were good and had a very expansive sound that reminded me so much of my beloved Southwest. However, Red Sparowes left everyone speechless. They slayed... they've turned their style of heavy, landscape-painting instrumentalism into a sort of cult or a religion. They are the clergy and only suffer their disciples for hour-long sets... and we disciples drool buckets and thrash about in ecstasy.

Neurosis played some new stuff that sounded great. They've continued to work with Steve Albini, who's a great producer and a name to be dropped by every writer and her mother. The older stuff they played seemed kind of strained. Don't get me wrong; it was very good. However, you can tell that they've moved on and aren't playing these songs anymore for themselves, but for us. A few really old songs (like off of Enemy of the Sun) were especially badass. I can't wait to see their new work out on vinyl; the only way to consume such composition.