Pattern Is Movement have certainly lived up to the Movement part of their name, touring relentlessly since the release of their excellent fourth album, All Together. Seeing them for the third time since October, Pattern Is Movement’s set at Webster Hall last Wednesday was yet another in a line of charged, exciting performances. The duo debuted two new songs that sounded a little more aggressive than the rest of their cannon, though that could very well be because their live sound is beefier overall. Drummer Chris Ward’s rapid-fire drumming must be seen to be believed that there’s not some kind of magician responsible for some of those beats, and singer/keyboardist Andrew Thiboldeaux is both collected and charismatic, their mutual sense of whimsy exemplified in their constantly expressive faces and a flirty cover of D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel?)” (see T-Sides video below!).
Pattern Is Movement: “Right Away” (download)
Headliner St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) was surprisingly staid. Having whipped through New York City oozing charm and cutesiness in the past, the first half of her set was underwhelming, the sound a little flat and thin, the band just trudging through. Though she pulled out impressive riff after impressive riff, and heartbreaking vocal after heartbreaking vocal, everything seemed just a little off until the band returned to join her after a brief solo stint for “Oh My God.” Luckily they hit their stride in time for “Marrow,” the most savage song she’s written yet. As she waltzed through “Just the Same But Brand New” and dug out first album favorites “Marry Me, John” and “Your Lips Are Red” for the encore, it was easy to chalk the tepid first half to a case of nerves.
St. Vincent: “Marrow” (download)
Pattern is Movement and St. Vincent have a slew of dates – mostly together – and if you haven’t seen either, you oughta step to this.
For more T-Sides pictures, see here. For more info, including a T-Sides video of Pattern Is Movement’s D’Angelo cover, click the jump.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXkM6I6FFsM[/youtube]
Pattern Is Movement cover D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel?)” Live @ Webster Hall on May 20th
Pattern Is Movement on MySpace
Pattern Is Movement on Tumblr
Pattern Is Movement on Twitter
St. Vincent Official Site
St. Vincent on MySpace
Also there:
Fluxblog
Ear Farm
The Tripwire
Guilt Free Pleasures
The Music Slut
Brooklyn Vegan
Hooves on the Turf
Other Pattern Is Movement T-Sides coverage:
T-Sides’ 2008 in Review: Albums
Pattern Is Movement @ The Knitting Factory, Tuesday, Nov. 18th (2008)
Dispatches From CMJ, Day Five (2008)
T-Sides CMJ Wrap-Up, Nov. 1 (2006)
Other St. Vincent T-Sides coverage:
New St. Vincent: “The Strangers”
T-Sides’ 2007 in Review: Albums
St. Vincent @ Bowery Ballroom, July 17th (2007)
Lost MP3 of the Week: “These Days”
St. Vincent & John Vanderslice @ Union Hall, Sunday, Apr. 22nd (2007)
