For the people in Jerry’s Bait Shop enjoying the $5 pizza special, they were soon to learn that they were in for an even better deal: Mansions. The Louisville group that is essentially Christopher Browder and friends took the stage first and though a group from Alaska and a 90s cover band followed, at least for me, the show began and ended with Mansions. There was no way the other bands could even compare to Browder’s passionate performance.
Kicking off with “Por Favor Is Spanish”, Mansions was off to a good start. And by the time the band got into the instrumental section of “Talk Talk Talk”, I think everybody in the venue had no choice but to look up from their pizzas. The touring guitarists were blazing, leaning into every chord. The drummer used actual chord progressions and with the musical tension mounting, Browder leaned into the drum set before breaking away at the crux of the instrumental bridge.
For the next few songs, Browder’s vocals stole the show as the guy went from a wide-mouthed, high volumed chorus to softer verses with tiny breaks in his words. Closing the set was an explosive performance of “The Worst Part” that saw Browder climbing on the drums. After a huge build-up during the repetitious line, “I don’t wanna be you,” Browder calmly held his hands behind his back and quietly whispered the lingering line, “The worst part is you don’t know it.” With an ending like that, this band surely will not be playing small clubs and opening for cover bands much longer.
Set List:
Por Favor Is Spanish
Talk Talk Talk
When I Sleep
Curacao Blue
Tangerine
Holidaze
The Worst Part
Mansions: website | myspace | Mansions EP review | Talk Talk Talk EP | New Best Friends review
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