BIGIDEAS live at The Horseshoe & Album Review
So Friday was fun…
About a month ago I’ve been invited by somebody to BIGIDEAS debut album launch gig at The Horseshoe and it was one of those dates in my calendar that I was really looking forward to (much like my bi-weekly pay-cheque and monthly “screw all, I’m getting obliterated” day). The reason being that I heard a couple of their songs (and really liked the sound) but never seen them play live. So there I was – standing in a dimly lit room of the renowned Horseshoe with a bottle of chilled (yeah, that’s right “chilled” not “ice cold”) Steam Whistle (yeah, that’s right, Steam Whistle, not Heineken), waiting for BIGIDEAS to take the stage while watching moderately tipsy people going ape-shit on each other’s ears (what? it’s loud, you have to yell!).
But enough about me, what’s new with you? Wait… never mind, I always forget that I’m not that interested.
It’s 11 30 (or something like that… and yes, I know – smooth transition) and BIGIDEAS play their first song, which I think they could’ve done so much better, but then… they play a second one and I think that I shouldn’t be thinking anymore because boy, do they exceed my expectations?! There are a lot of bands out there that sound good on the record but can’t quite pull it off live, there are some bands that excite your feelings both on stage and through your speakers, and there are few that fcuking rock live and make you want to hit re-play every time the album ends. Enter BIGIDEAS…
So I’ve got only two words to summarize their live performance AWE-SOME. The bass is tight, the guitar is sexy, the drums are freaking nuts and the vocals make you wish you knew the lyrics to be able to sing along. That’s all I have to say about them. And yet… I’ll talk some more (because we all know how much you enjoy reading my stuff).
So, if you by any chance went to the Horseshoe this Friday – you got your copy of their debut full-length Steady State. If not – you can check it out as soon as it becomes available… and you really really should. According to their MySpace it’s March 24th.
BIGIDEAS began working on this album in March 2007 with their friend and audio engineer Andrew Noakowski who’d done one hell of a good job making this record. It took them two years to shape this thing into what it is now – a great sounding album that will set the mood for your day, I promise.
This is where I disagree with people from Herohill – while I couldn’t really find any songs that I would consider being huge radio hits (and for all I care – thank whatever deity you pray to for that) – the album in it’s entirety feels VERY thought-through and whole. The drums deserve some special mentioning because man, they rock! Every instrument is in it’s rightful place and even though an occasional guitar jumps out at you, completely grabbing your attention with it’s tonality and musicality (see what I did there?) – everything sounds just as it should… and is very very good.
Here’s an interesting observation that I made while listening to this album for the third time today (on my way to work, back from work, and right now) – it made me loose any perception of time. I don’t know why or how but Steady State managed to wrap me up inside of it’s melodic fabric and didn’t let me go until the very last song. And yes, melodic fabric. You’ll see what I mean if and when you get yourself a copy.
I can’t really put my finger on WHAT exactly do I like so much about this album but I really do like it. Check it out for yourself and then if you are kind enough – leave me a comment saying what you think about it and what are your thoughts on songs not being radio hits.
All in all – Steady State is a beautifully produced and great sounding album… and that is all that matters, right?
Upcoming shows:
Apr 6, 2009 20:30
The Hideout “UNPLUGGED FOR MS”, Toronto – no excuse for not attending
May 8, 2009 21:00
The Red Rooster w/ VOLCANOS IN CANADA, THE SPEAKEASIES, & JETS TO GROUND, Burlington
Jun 12, 2009 20:00
Forest Hill Memorial Park/ Cancer Relay for the Cure, Toronto
– so I had to do a quick search on your review. 
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Not sure why you couldn’t see some of their better songs on the radio, and more my point was as they keep playing and getting better, the songs will improve and the audiences will get bigger.
They already write songs that could appeal to bigger audiences – unless you were the only person there that found it AWE-SOME and wanted to sing along (isn’t that what people want to do with popular songs??? – and lots of melodic acts get radio play. The band even says they are trying to find the line between Keane and The Dears…