Live Review

Lee Ranaldo, We All Want To @ The Zoo (21/10/12)

Although Sonic Youth are now on hiatus due to the unexpected breakdown of Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon’s marriage, fortunately the camp is still pumping out great tunes with Lee Ranaldo’s recent solo effort Between the Times and the Tides sees the man hit the road and for the first time in years, also sees him venture down to Australia with his equally talented band in tow, also featuring SY band mate Steve Shelly hitting up drums as well.

With the venue disgracefully undersold, it seems that everyone coming are already here as locals We All Want To take the stage. The band can tell that it is an honour to be chosen for tonight’s support and are definitely trying their hardest to put on a great show for everyone that is clearly here waiting for the headliner. They can't be faulted on their musicianship, with Screamfeeder leader Tim Steward also commanding the group tonight whilst also allowing his bandmates the chance to shine. The main criticism of their set lies with the entirely irrelevant projections happening behind the group, which at times most certainly do not fit and look like they are off the projector's demo reel or lifted from an iTunes visualiser. Some of the more arty projections even still feature their original watermark, simply looking ridiculous and with closer Shine it makes the group come off as a Christian rock group with the mix not doing them any favours during this either. Still, annoying nuances aside, the group – although not the best fit do put on a good show that, with a bit of tweaking would be a good show in another environment.

Finally, after a long wait for fans the almighty Lee Ranaldo takes the stage to the eager few present. The set starts off fair enough but it is clear that the group are just warming up for second song and first single Off The Wall whilst at the time sounding great, feels like there is a lot more to come and sure enough there was. Angeles seems to sit on this perfect plane with the whole band in sync and the guitars begin to grow in their sound.

In between tracks (guitar changeovers) Ranaldo frequently recalls tales to the audience. Although they do feel a little rehearsed, they are interesting none the less and pave the way for tracks such as the Sonic Youth sounding and era inspired Xtina As I Knew Her which extends out for roughly ten minutes in length and is a guitar odyssey which recalls moments on Washing Machine but with a melody that screams Daydream Nation or a tad Murray Street. The interplay between the two guitarists is mind boggling, with the only thing possibly being better to watch would be Thurston Moore replacing Licht. Still, it is world class playing and you can tell why Licht has the job, especially during following track Hammer Blows which sees Ranaldo spiral out of control with a violin bow while Licht tries to snap a glass slide in half.

From here the interest level never shies away, with Shouts being more interesting than the inspired picture on the back of his guitar. Stranded also proves to be a rather interesting slower addition to the night and puts the focus more on Ranaldo's equally strong voice. A selection of rather proficient covers pop up including a take on fellow N.Y. Legends with Thank You For Sending Me an Angel mixing into Fire Island (Phases). Which then sees the band leave the stage, by this point a number of punters have dispersed in order to make public transport which is rather a shame, as a handful of people remain and cheer for the band to return which is rather disheartening for both the band and the crowd. But, they play anyway and we are even treated to a stab at David Crosby.

In some ways tonight is a rather unique experience as fans can walk directly up to the stage and check out what is going on, watching the group's guitar tech could be a show on its own as he is constantly handing Ranaldo guitars and repairing them as things progress and strings snap like jock straps in an American high school locker room with even Licht getting in on the action breaking a string for the first time on tour, as pointed out by Ranaldo. In the end it is simply sad that attendance is low for one of the greatest musicians still going strong today, but all in all it is a highlight set of the year that we can only hope we see Ranaldo and co. back in our fair city.

(Ed’s note, It was a cherry on the cake meeting Lee and Steve after the show and having them sign my rare copy of SYR 1)

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