Special Alert

On Friday, I went to The Great Hall for a sold-out show. Opener Bernice plays odd lightly improvised folk-pop songs that seems meandering. Tonight the crowd was generous in their appreciation of the singer's vivid imagery. Head-liner The Weather Station was releasing their epynomous album (though not their first) this evening.

Tamara Lindeman has been getting great reviews, and not just for her latest effort, for her dense lyrics and songcraft. The last time she played The Great Hall she had a good crowd. But tonight the audience was early and filled up to the rafters. So obviously she's building a fanbase. But if there were some newbies, her new songs should also win them over. With a harder rocker edge, the band sounded great live. Lindeman even managed some effect-drenched guitar sounds, even if her normal specialty is intricate finger picking. But it was her solo numbers that highlighted her music. The entire venue held its breath as her clean, pure voice soared over delicate chords with sharply observed vignettes. It was a pleasure to listen to such fully conceived songs.