The Secret Machines and The Moving Units - 1/27/05 - Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA
This is not a good sign. I'm at The Moving Units/Secret Machines concert and they seem to be performing the same song over again. This is the third time I've thought this in the past thirty minutes of so. Of course, the sound quality is so bad that I'm currently completely unable to hear the lead singer. So I suppose it's possible that The Moving Units are continually replaying their songs in an attempt to make the lyrics heard. However, I think it's also equally likely that the poor sound quality is just emphasizing a set filled with catchy, but remarkably repetitive songs.
Either way, I'd define myself as displeased.
The one song that The Moving Units perform-- and I really, truly, no exaggeration, though 'hey, is this the same song?' about five times during the set-- is catchy and fun to the nth power. It's quite enjoyable. Really. Only The Rapture does something similar, a bit better, and then they proceed to move on to other equally fun things.
Apparently The Moving Units haven't grasped this skill yet.
Eventually they end, leave, and I'm left with an odd ringing sensation in my ears that makes me think, 'shit. Why didn't I think of earplugs?' Time moves on and a rather ridiculously attractive man, with a wardrobe and slouch that screams Rock Star begins to edge closer towards the stage. Soon others join him, the Secret Machines are beginning and...
I instantly have a POUNDING FUCKING HEADACHE. Seriously, I've never worried about getting a migraine until this moment and if it weren't for the fact that the music is so loud I can't possibly think, I might be very very afraid.
I do not think it is ever, in any way necessary to amplify music to that volume. Particularly when it almost, but-- victory of victories!-- not completely wipes out the main and backing vocals.
The Secret Machines produce quality music. I've heard it. And if you're curious, I particularly recommend the selection of songs available for streaming on their website. However, tonight they didn't happen to play much of anything I actually like, At all. Like, not one song. (Okay, maybe one song. Or at least one or two that I don't actively dislike. But that's it.) It was loud. It was slow. It was repetitive and I am pretty fucking disappointed.
Also, the ever growing headache did not help.
The fast tempo songs they chose to perform were the slowest possible "fast" ones they have available and, all in all, I don't really understand why they chose to perform with such a fast paced group as The Moving Units if they were going for such a slow, moody-rocker vibe.
Ultimately, I'm not traditionally one to have a bad concert experience, but I think I have finally actually had one. Full on badness from every angle. And I haven't even mentioned the forty minutes I spent standing out in near zero degree temperatures with the rest of the concert attendees. Given all this, I think I've said all I can possibly say without retraumitization. I'll stop now, for all our benefit.
