Party Ends

   Last weekend I finally got to go and see a band that I've been trying to catch for a good long while- well, since SXSW 2006. That's when they put on such insane shows in Austin that everyone started geeking out about how great they were live; so, we went down the the Granada, payed the whatever, $20 or something each, to catch the show, and holy crap was everyone right. I'm assuming most people are relatively familiar with Hot Chip's brand of post-rave-geek-scene music, but I think many would be surprised at how a live performance of these songs comes out.

   First of all, this was probably the least ironic show that I have ever intentionally gone too (excluding friends / Guitar Center coworkers bands and the like), and it was almost as refreshing as those new Miller Chills. I mean, I like being into fashion and haircuts and shit, I guess, but come on; and Dallas is up there in the worst of it. Now, there were a fair few hipsters in the house, many of them going ape-ship in the front row, but the Hot Chip show was also a melting pot of geeky Kraftwerk kids, aging ravers, middle aged moms, dorm room brosephs, and generally people who love to dance like noone's watching; very different from the hipsters. United in beeping, saw synth love, it was a sight to behold.

   Also not ironic were the five dudes on stage, gyrating and bobbing behind their Korg 2000's and their MPC's. With music ranging from subtle 80's balladry to MM-CHE MM-CHE Daft Punk Euro-rave, the crew maintained an air of being genuinely enthusiastic while almost never actually dancing at all. Alexis Taylor, with his polo tucked into his pleated khakis was not 'rockin' those glasses in any way that was meant to be out of place; I'm almost certain he thinks them metropolitan and practical. So lovable, and so insanely talented, the London boys do everything that they need to on stage, and nothing they don't. 

   The set was well paced and intense, leading the listener through the troughs and peaks that make for a good, long listen, with tracks ranging from their whole catalog, and a cover or two. Sadly missed, though, were both My Piano, their recent single, and my favorite track from their older album Coming on Strong Playboy. Those problems asside, this is not a show to miss if ever you have the chance to see it, and if you do go, you might want to bring some glow sticks, or at least, like, a glow necklace so you don't feel stupid.

MP3: Hot Chip- My Piano (Radio Mix)

MP3: Hot Chip- H.O.T.C.H.I.P.