River Tiber - Drake Underground (Nov 21/13)

Adding to the six neon words already up around the Drake Underground in bright orange read a stylized "River Tiber". In front of this sign stood the four piece making up that entity. Seemingly the brainchild of multi-instrumental singer (keyboard and electric guitar on this night) the group was fleshed out by a full time guitarist, bassist and drummer fitted with electric drums in his kit. Combined with the backing samples, the electro keys and synthesized voice they came across as an indie rock band with a noticeable electro edge. As previously noted the droning and building upon this structure comes across like a not-half-bad Kid A-era Radiohead. It seemed well thought out and meticulously arranged which is why it was especially irksome that what sounded like a recording from a police scanner cut from underneath many songs, even when it was quite out of place. The album, Synapses, and The Star Falls EP, for which this served as the release party, are quite good and the music translates to the stage but the band could give more of a presence. The various projections behind them, from birds to army parachuting in reverse, lent an interesting distraction briefly until it began to loop. An encore showcased a couple older tunes, one of which proved they used to unabashedly rock rather than the more balanced new approach (which I much prefer). The final featured only the two guitarists on a 'very old' (3 years old) tune and wasn't the best way to end a decent show but happened regardless of my say.