Titus Andronicus, Ponytail, Abe Vigoda, War on Drugs @ The Mercury Lounge

...Bruce Springsteen comparisons came easy as Titus opened their set with several verses from "Thunder Road." As Springsteen freewheels around the stage and often strays from the vocal melodies, as did lead singer Patrick Stickles. Twisting and writhing, Stickles delivered lyrics in incomprehensible screams and moans. Just as the E-Street band does for the Boss, the rest of Titus Andronicus held tight to the form of every song. They played with a passion and maturity that allowed Stickles to go ape-shit on stage all the while delivering a tight well focused set...
Full review and photos after the jump...

Although surprisingly undersold, the show Sunday night at the Mercury Lounge featured three of the summer's most buzzed about bands. Abe Vigoda and Ponytail delivered energetic sets of noise-filled, punk-rock music, while Titus Andronicus closed the evening by clearly demonstrating how a fully formed band should look and sound. While delivering a great album earlier this summer, the War on Drugs' set failed to capture the record's urgency and passion as most songs dragged along in a sea of messy electronics and languid tempos.

Publications from Pitchfork to Fader have weighed in, favoring Abe Vigoda and Ponytail. Although Abe Vigoda did well to capture the sounds and aesthetics of noise rock legends such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, (one even sported an old JAMC tee shirt,) they failed to deliver the vocal power and melodies of their predecessors. Ponytail channeled a more progressive sound, at times reminiscent of Battles, only delivering their songs in accessible three to four minute pop nuggets. Driven by their spectacular drummer Jeremy Hyman, Ponytail managed an uplifting, positive, and infectious set; yet, the role of "lead singer" Molly Siegel seemed ill-defined, and at least live, she seemed more like an energetic place holder.

Like a breath of fresh air after what was becoming a long evening, Titus Andronicus set up, line checked and were ready to go a half-hour early. It's hard to describe maturity exactly, but Titus looked the part of a real band before even playing a single note. Complete with a self-produced light show, every band member seemed ready to go and conducted themselves with an adult demeanor that belied their real age and level of experience. While Vigoda and Ponytail captured a youthful exuberance, Titus Andronicus' set clearly demonstrated that those bands have some growing up to do before they are counted in the same league as some of their indie rock peers.

Bruce Springsteen comparisons came easy as Titus opened their set with several verses from "Thunder Road." As Springsteen freewheels around the stage and often strays from the vocal melodies, as did lead singer Patrick Stickles. Just as the E-Street band does for the Boss, the rest of Titus Andronicus held tight to the form of every song. They played with a passion and maturity that allowed Stickles to go ape-shit on stage all the while delivering a tight well focused set. Playing the best from their excellent record The Airing of Grievences, Titus Andronicus made their openers look like boys and girls amongst men and women. Titus made the Mercury Lounge their own and showed why they will remain standing long after the summer's hype has faded.
Lovely photos by Karp.