Dead Weather’s stormy debut at First Ave
Posted on July 28th, 2009 – 6:50 AMBy Chris Riemenschneider
I wasn’t nearly as blown away as when I first heard the record. Some of the natural, fiery energy on the record seemed to be lost as the band members (besides Jack) focused on being showmen/woman. But Alison really did kill in a few of the tracks, including “60 Feet Tall” and “So Far From Your Weapon,” and she and Jack made a mesmerizing pair during “Treat Me Like Your Mother” and “Will There Be Enough Water.” The latter song was only the second and last time Jack came out from behind the drum kit (the other was the Them cover). Click here to read the full review. Jeff Wheeler also put together a great little photo gallery. Here’s the set list:
60 Feet Tall / Bone House / Hang You From the Heavens / You Just Can’t Win (Van Morrison and Them cover) / So Far From Your Weapon / I Cut Like a Buffalo / Child of a Few Hours Is Burning to Death (cover from late-’60s L.A. act the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band) / Rocking Horse / No Hassle Night / Will There Be Enough Water?
ENCORE: Forever My Queen (Pentagram cover) / Treat Me Like Your Mother / New Pony
***Man, the bootleg videographers were out in force on this one. Check out all the clips here on Youtube.
5 Responses to "Dead Weather’s stormy debut at First Ave"
Actually Chris, the fact that the band members took it upon themselves to be showman (an art that has been lost on recent rock acts) is what made the concert great. It amplified the “fire” of the album. Alison standing on the amplifiers belting out tunes was a throwback to a day when rock stars performed like rock stars. Of course, the best part was when Jack picked up the ol’ six shooter an tore it up. Why o why did you put yourself on drums? Regardless, the concert was a knockout.
we must have been at different shows, I thought that show was electric, organic and magnificent. Alison is a total rock star.
i enjoyed the show MUCH more than the record (which is very hit or miss), but a lot of flash & pomp to make up for what they lack in song (the only memorable hook on the record is Cut Like A Buffalo, which has some of the worst lyrics in the last few years).
also, Alison is way more exciting live with her own band The Kills
i thought the show made the hair stand up on my arm and i could here my spine break , the band was tight , i felt i was in a club in London in the late 60’s, even the lights were mesmerizing , jack white does it again ,a true genius.
Leave it to a critic to pick apart an awesome performance to make it appear that he/she’s above the buzz. The entire place was electric and the crowd was pleasingly hyped…apparently WAY more pleased with what they saw/heard than you, Chris. Don’t try so hard to rationalize your job by nitpicking the very things (volume, charisma, showmanship, musicianship, etc) that make a show a SHOW.
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