Brendan Benson
(with Robbers on High Street)
El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles

July 26, 2005

On the day that their biology catches up with their mentality, Robbers on High Street should prove a formidable live act. For now, their smart, well-crafted pop will have to survive on its own merits in what might be considered a static stage show, save the off-kilter movements of drummer Tomer Danan—a most entertaining sight all its own. Still, they seemed to come alive late with a handful of tracks from their excellent debut, Tree City, namely “Love Underground,” Strokes comparisons be damned.

It was a similar slow start for Benson, whose “Good to Me” came off rather blasé for a song that no doubt inspired its fair share of air-guitar back in ‘02 (hell, it inspired Jack White to cover it). Few words were offered to the crowd outside of the usual pleasantries, while Benson and his new band eased into a set that eventually found its legs, not surprisingly on the strength of his most recent material. The singer’s mellow presence might have been a surprise to those expecting someone wiry and excitable (a photo of a leaping Benson from the cover of his debut album comes to mind), but while the man has grown slightly subdued in recent years, he’s also become that much more potent a songwriter, something that was not lost on this night.

Newer songs like “Get It Together” and “Spit It Out” just seemed to translate better, and his relationship with White aside, it’s no wonder he’s finding his star now with gems like “Feel Like Myself Again” and “What I’m Looking for”—both highlights—the former dishing a groovy synth hook, and the latter some exquisite harmonies. Yeah, some manic energy would’ve been nice, but even in a live setting good songs trump good theatrics.

www.brendanbenson.com

By Gary Knight

7/2005