I had no plans to see Moby last night, actually, I didn’t even know he was in town. But when my friend Andy couldn’t make dinner plans because he had gotten really cheap tickets to see Moby, I thought it was worth investigating. I had heard some of the tracks off his new CD, and liked the direction he was moving. So despite the rain, I ventured out with no expectations.
Kelli Scar opened the nite with a wonderful mix of beautiful vocals, a looper and a heavily reverbed guitar. She used some backing tracks from her ipod and beats on a synthetizer, employing a some tricks to make a bigger, fuller sound. It’s amazing how much sound can be generated from these more simple devises.
I really thought the opening song for Moby was effective, opening with a very dramatic, symphonic track and light show that helped bring everyone into the main room. Although no one was yet on stage, it definitely help set the mood for the event and foreshadowed the dramatic, light-filled event that was to follow.
Moby, still a raver at heart, bantered about his days back in the 90’s when the raver scene in LA was in full swing. Many of his songs were homages to that time, filled with big beats and beautiful soaring breakdowns. But he also moved seamlessly to more quiet songs filled with harmonized vocals and sweeping violin. There were also several tracks with the female singer that were like old gospel or slave hymns filled with anguish, calling for a helping hand from God. Her voice was so powerful, and I could literally feel her pain.
Most of the songs were sung by the 2 female singers, the one mentioned above, and the keyboardist. Her voice was also powerful, but singing on the more slow and melodic songs really showed her range. Moby sang on a few of the songs. I am not crazy about his voice, but he really nailed it on a new song he was showcasing last nite. I was also impressed by his guitar playing, he played with such energy and child-like enthusiasm, even doing some famous riffs of other bands songs to intro some of his own tunes.
Overall, I think the show flowed really well. He moved from very fast songs to slower ones, ones that were very full to more stripped down songs. He also did slow covers of songs that he had just played. A reprise, with verse and chorus. I actually really enjoyed these. I think as a songwriter you think the song only sounds good with all it’s parts and fully arranged, and then you realize that it’s just as good really stipped and slowed down. He also introduced new songs while giving his fans enough of his older hits to have people sing along. Also the arch of the show was nicely orchestrated with the crescendo and high points hitting at the right time. The show went quickly, and I didn’t want to leave (not even to go to the bathroom) since i didn’t want to miss anything…always a good sign.
The sound was lush and full, my only complaint was that the mid-range bass was overloading and distorting. It was also a bit loud, I think it could have been quieter, and still achieved the same effect and impact. But that might only be because my ears are sensitive…