Kings Of Convenience - New York Bowery Ballroom - 8/2/05
4/5
By: Joshua K
I have a confession to make: while others were celebrating the 'New Acoustic Movement' of the early 2000's, I was listening to Vex Red.
Well, yes, I was also listening to Badly Drawn Boy, Beta Band, and Turin Brakes - but Alfie? No f**king way. Should've stayed as BDB's backing band. I Am Kloot? Back to the dole with you. 'Chill Out', compilations? Now That's What I Call Pap. And Kings of Convenience? Please, mate - we've already got one Simon and Garfunkel, and it's a shame they're still breathing; we didn't need another one.
But then the speccy one from Kings, Erlend Oye, got my attention by going all electronica on our asses (2003's 'Unrest' LP). This was quickly followed by his contribution to the 'DJ Kicks' dance remix series, in which the nerdy bugger 'remixed' the likes of Elvis, Pet Shop Boys, Bananarama and The Smiths by literally re-singing their tunes. It was certainly quirky, but in a cool, totally engaging, Jarvis Cocker kind of way.
So, when Kings of Convenience set out on tour in support of their long-awaited second album, 'Riot on an Empty Street', we decided to give them another chance. The result: being blown away by the harmonies, the quality tunes, the sense of humor, the amount of stage presence that two unassuming gents from Norway could bring. To paraphrase the title of their debut LP, they really do rock in a quiet kind of way, surpassing the scene they were lumped into with one quick, gliding acoustic strum.
Over nearly two hours they spanned their two album catalog - a series of haunting yet jaunty songs about longing, lost love and missed connections - joined by a few surprises. Among the highlights: the new LP's 'Cayman Islands', 'I'd Rather Dance With You' and 'Stay Out Of Trouble'; a rolling, countryish rendition of signature song 'Toxic Girl'; and a truly random, too-brief foray into Weezer's 'Undone (The Sweater Song)'. They even did a gorgeous rendition of signature Disney song 'When You Wish Upon A Star' that (I can't believe I'm writing these words) gave the room chills, with the audience humming in unison on cue.
All of the above is therefore a longwinded way of saying: I OWE KINGS OF CONVENIENCE AN APOLOGY. If you're down for a mellow yet staggeringly engaging night of music, do yourself a favor and check 'em out. You won't be sorry. Even though I am.
Artists in this article: Kings Of Convenience
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