The Besnard Lakes
3/29/07
Schubas Tavern in Chicago
If anyone is going to lead Montreal’s psychedelic shoegaze music movement, The Besnard Lakes surely are the prime candidate. Combining elements of rock and just modern day vulnerable indieness, the complete sound is astounding both on album and live. Saturated with pedal effects, the billowing smoke which seemed strange at Schubas but fit well with the music added to the shimmer.
I’ve been listening to their most recent Jagjaguwar 2007’sThe Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse on repeat for a couple of months. It has such perfect female and male harmonies between Olga Goreas, Jace Lasek, and Steve Raegele. These vocals really work well together to add something special to the songs. In fact, even their talented drummer Kevin Laing adds some vocals to the songs on album and live to make for a really glorious vocal ensemble live. The songs take off despite their elements of devastation and some of them are just downright rock infused gems. The song “Devastation” in and of itself has really powerful heavy laden guitar chords that really pound the music into your head. Yet, it’s not always such a sonic onslaught as their live performance and albums are balanced with a quieter desperation. “Disaster,” for example, has moments where the vocals purvey a sense of pleading.
What also worked together live besides the vocals were also the other elements of the song-appearing as five on stage, their keyboard, bass, guitars, drums and all those pedal effects made me feel similar to when I had seen The Dears play Schubas in the fall. Basically, this is the music that should be heard outside by millions on stages so large they could fill a city block. That is just how immense it is. I’ll also add that although they played mainly many of my favorites off of The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse, I picked up an earlier album The Besnard Lakes Volume 1 which is fast working its way into the crevices of my brain. Make an effort to see these guys next time they come around…you won’t regret it.
Listen to their songs on myspace
click more to view tour dates
May 16 2007 8:00P
La Maroquinerie Paris
May 18 2007 8:00P
Great Escape Festival – Pavillion Theatre Brighton
May 19 2007 8:00P
The Social Nottingham
May 20 2007 8:00P
Wheelans Dublin
May 21 2007 8:00P
King Tuts Glasgow
May 22 2007 8:00P
Barfly Liverpool
May 23 2007 8:00P
Night and Day Manchester
May 24 2007 8:00P
Thekla Bristol
May 25 2007 8:00P
Waterats London
May 27 2007 8:00P
AB Club Brussels
May 28 2007 8:00P
Paradiso Holland