Do Whop!

Saturday night, I was at The Paradise Theatre to hear U.S. Girls debut some new songs off their upcoming album Heavy Light. Given my first encounter of Marker Starling, I thought his Randy Newman-esque songs was an odd choice for an opener. But with a full band, his music turned out to be in the same 70s ballpark as the former's disco sound.

But I didn't really enjoy this retro throwback. It tried to groove, but there was too much of a Jazz lounge meets yacht rock vibe. Also, lyrics of High January, Fresh and Fair, Husbands, and other songs were insipid. I have mentioned previously about clunky songs that used on-the-nose rhymes. Combined that with a penchant for verbosity and each verse seemed more inane than the previous.

Meg Remy finally found success with her last album In A Poem Unlimited. But in interviews, she hinted that she might "retire" nevertheless, from both a decade of lofi album obscurity and reluctance to continue mining that disco shtick. So I was curious to hear if her new music has changed.

I was happy that her new (live, possibly touring?) 8-member band had equal representation with 3 women artists including Carlyn Bezic of Ice Cream. It was weird that her band was so dude-heavy before given the feminist and female-centred content in her songs. Tonight, these performers provided not only bass and guitar support, but also wonderful harmonies. In addition, I'm always happy to see the subtle but complex drumming of Evan Cartwright.

The first half, comprising of new songs (IOU, And Yet It Moves), had a church service feel complete with testimonial (provided by a man behind me who exulted superlatives after every song). Remy seemed to have crafted the new music to be woke 60s girl group with a touch of gospel. The lyrics continue to bite and dig.

The audience was enraptured throughout. But if any was itching to move their feet, the second half kicked off propulsively with Pearly Gates followed by several booty shakers. But Remy ended the night with an acapella rendition of 2010 Red Ford Radio (also reworked for the new album), hand in hand with her longtime vocalist Kassie Richardson.