Happiness is a Megafaun show.
Seriously, this trio is a better mood elevator than Wellbutrin. It's not just that they're very, very good (and make no mistake, they are, in a way that has attracted nationwide notice). It's that they convey such a wonderful sense of joy onstage, even when thrashing about with a physical awkwardness that's downright endearing. You just can't help getting caught up in their communal spirit.
Saturday night at a soldout Carrboro ArtsCenter, Megafaun put on one of the best shows I've seen all year. It was a homecoming show from a six-week tour with Bowerbirds, and the intensive roadwork seems to have done both bands a world of good. I've never heard Bowerbirds sound better or more relaxed, and Megafaun's performance was a revelation. Every last note, nuance and flourish was perfectly placed, from the jingle-jangle chime of "The Fade" to the freak-folk dramatics of "Columns" to Brad Cook's flights of sound-effects fancy.
It really was brilliant, with good vibes and mutual love aplenty. I've said it before and I'll say it again: We're really lucky to have so many great bands in our midst. And if you're not out there partaking, you're really missing out.
ADDENDUM (8/25/09): "Brad Cook Is Not Your Man."
SECOND (9/1/09): Spin review.
Comments
Megafaun video
Sun, 08/23/2009 - 18:44 — rossgradyI got video of the first two songs of Megafaun's set (after the video-into-live segue of "Impressions of the Past" that started things off, that is): "Beloved Binge" into "The Process" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOrZzqeH1ew