Conjugate

On Thursday, I was at The Monarch Tavern for a show. First up was LISA. Backed by a 4-member band, including two members of Dwayne Gretzky, the titular singer had a set of sweet pop. I kept thinking Roy Orbison for the 21st century. Definitely some promising material here.

The second band Group Therapy was less successful for me. They played a jangly art-pop set. But the vocals and lyrics didn't add anything. Given their penchant for multiple guitar layers and sonic changes, they should consider becoming a full instrumental or jam band. Kudos to the guitarist for pointing out that in addition to LISA, Toronto also has local bands Milhouse and Bart.

Language-Arts had to wait a little before starting their set because The Raptors was wrapping up game 5 of the Eastern Conference final against The Milwaukee Bucks. But then they had the full attention of the bar for their brand of propulsive prog-rockesque music. Singer/guitarist Kristen Cudmore kept her inappropriate but humorous banter in check tonight, possibly because some of her dog-walker clients were in the audience. But she did regale us with why she was almost late for the gig which included among other details her dog vomiting. The set had two new releases including the powerful Top of the Top about her experience with brain injury.

This was the second last show for this outfit. The last will be in October when they release the next album. Perhaps this is because as Cudmore pointed out, the media only care about new music from 17-year olds, not 36. In any case, I will miss their erudite music.