White Rabbits/Art Brut @ Highline Ballroom

Just got back from Highline Ballroom, where I watched Art Brut and the White Rabbits. In truth, I came to check out Brooklyn's opening act, as I am quite pleased with their new record, as previously mentioned.

First, the headliners, Art Brut, who are kicking off a tour backing their new record. I must say that Eddie Argos is a true front-man in the post-punk spirit, and as I've come to expect of all Brits (and by my awful American extension, Scots), he is always clever, occasionally funny, and rarely that profound, in his lyrics and his stage presence. The band itself passes - best described as punchy, they are energetic and fun, a bit campy, but put on a good show, and that's what counts the most.

White Rabbits are a bit more my level - mellow, a bit melancholy, but with a deep rhythmic undercurrent. In fact, they've all but stolen my never-to-be-realized idea of playing with two drummers (sometimes adding a third percussionist), as well as a pianist and twin guitarists driving both the melody and the cacophony. Crashing atmospherics from pianos, cymbals, and strummed guitars gave way to dirty, scratched-out melodies. Falling somewhere between the Walkmen and the National, the Kinks and the Specials, the White Rabbits put on a good show.

As for the Highline Ballroom, it's nice to have a new venue in the city, and both the space and the sound were pretty good. Interlude music (BloodSugarSexMagik? MellonCollie and the Infinite Sadness?) left something to be desired, as did the house lighting. Or maybe I'm just getting old, and it's no longer cool to play good music between bands and keep the place dark while the bands are on. Or maybe I'm getting old, and doing the opposite is precisely what's cool.

Also, NG has some paintings and small installations up as part of a group show at Phillips De Pury gallery, on 15th St. and 9th Ave. Pop in if you are in the neighborhood, and turn right in the main gallery. His stuff is against the back wall. Also, find the girl who did the Olan Mills portraits. They were good, too.