A brief smileコミュのA Brief Smile @ Fat Baby (Week 3)

When I left Parkside (see below) and was walking over to Fat Baby, I almost stopped and hopped on the F train and went home. This was going to be my third week in a row seeing A Brief Smile and I knew that's not considered "normal." The point of residencies is to bring out new people every week, and here I was, apparently with nothing better to do on a Thursday night, going to see them again. "Normal," no. But we all know I'm not exactly "normal."

There is something that compels me to go back every week, and something that compels me to see these boys play each time. I'm almost embarrassed to say that I've been to every single of their shows in the past year or so. Part of the reason is the songs. I would be lying if I said I didn't know them all off by heart now. They are self-contained and remarkably constructed. And ok, really fun to sing along to as well.

But the main reason I keep going back is because it keeps getting better. I think back to the first shows I saw by this band, and although I was impressed then, it's light years away from where they are now. They've really defined who they are as musicians, working a little bit of pop and a little bit of experimental rock into each song seamlessly.

I've seen their transition over the year, but I've also seen it in these past three weeks. Last night was hands down the best one so far -- the sound was in their favor, the set concise and clean, the room was packed, and the band finally looked like they were comfortable up on that small stage. It reminded me a lot of their show and the end of last summer at Don Hills (my personal favorite) where it all just came together.

Next week is their last week. It's going to be a good one (added bonus - really cool DJ, ahem, upstairs afterwards). If this trend continues, next week will be their best one yet, so don't miss it.

Chances are, I'll be there. Four for four!


More pictures after the jump...