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04/19/10 Sophia’s Thai Kitchen Davis, CA
Discography
04/20/10 Independent San Francisco, CA 04/21/10 Echo Los Angeles, CA 04/22/10 Hotel Congress Tucson, AZ 04/23/10 Sail Inn Tempe, AZ 04/24/10 Low Spirits Albuquerque, NM 04/26/10 Hailey’s Denton, TX 04/27/10 Emo’s Inside Austin, TX 04/28/10 Rudyards Houston, TX 04/30/10 Bottletree Birmingham, AL 05/01/10 Earl Atlanta 05/07/10 Cats Cradle Carrboro, NC
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“Megafun!”
What is ‘Megafaun’: animal, vegetable or mineral? Why is Megafaun, whose dulcet tones never cease to baffle the critical observer? Who is Megafaun, seen prowling the tempestuous landscape of indie-Utopia? Careful, you might blink and miss the beard.
As if one could avoid the wild rumpus surrounding the best thing to come out of Eau Claire since founder of Menards franchise, John R. Menard, Jr. If the Cedar’s crowded mainroom was indicative of devout presence, Megafaun may very well be the new Messiah of Midwest roots rock.
The trouble with classifying the band as ‘roots rock’ is the inevitable resignation that occurs—a byproduct of oversimplification. To hear Megafaun is to experience a whirlwind of regional and generational enthusiasm, at once familiar and disjointed. There’s the obvious nod to Americana and canyon folk, plus a little jazz infusion, and also WEIRD EXPERIMENTAL SHIT. You heard right: experimental jazzy Americana.
While Friday’s show was an overall success, it was difficult at times to find a consistent groove. The band’s most approachable music leans heavily on a time-tested formula: beautiful harmonization and picturesque prose. Take “Kaufman’s Ballad,” a traveling cavalcade of banjo plucks and pretty, musing lyrics, so easy on the digestive system, Metamucil’s taking notes.
Conversely, during brief interludes from the pretty was the messy. I’ll be the first to admit that experimental music has about the same effect on my soul as an awkward crotch scratch: feels good at first but always leaves a rash. That’s cool.
Megafaun is a trio of talented musicians, no one’s arguing, but towards the end of the show when the brothers Cook (and surrogate bro Joe “Cool Guy” Westerlund) ventured to a dark, ultramodern place, many of us chose not to follow. Brains went on sabbatical. Butts fell asleep. It was a wee bit boring.
Fans may argue that one of band’s strengths is their effortless ability to cross genres. This is true. However, unless the audience is comprised entirely of musicians, an 8-minute indie “jam” loses its charm quickly. Contrary to the epileptic man sitting behind me—whose legs flailed about, possessed—mind-bending drone rock does not promote foot stompin’. (And the people want to stomp their feet, goddammit.)
Minor grievances aside, Megafaun is a band to keep watching. In addition to sharing a distaste for barbers, Brad and Phil Cook demonstrate the power of good genes in synchronized vocal laps, with the former’s hearty baritone occasionally pulling ahead (on tracks like “The Fade”). Westerlund’s bang-for-your-buck beats keep the feet in steady stomp, and the whole package sounds real good on a brisk, starry night. If you can bear the occasional creative detour, definitely take these boys for a ride.
Megafaun is currently on the West Coast/Southern leg of their tour. For a complete list of dates, visit their Website or Myspace. Gather, Form & Fly (released July 09) is available for purchase at Hometapes. The band will be back in the studio this fall to record their third album.
04/18/2010 20:11:06 ♥ lara (
) ♥ megafaun.com/myspace/twitter
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