Just One Victory, I noticed something significant that I'm really surprised the other reviewers didn't mention. Two reviews mentioned that Kas moved up front with Todd but what happened next was Kas took one foot off the ground and bounced a little. Todd shook his head "no". Kas just gave Todd that big grin and did the foot up bounce again. Todd shook no again. Kas did it a third time. They're playing Just One Victory while doing this. Todd just looked at him and smiled. Kas walked away. Todd then spun/hopped on one foot while playing the solo. Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel. When was the last time Todd spun on one foot during the JOV solo? Kas gave this to us. It was an incredible climax to an incredible show.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Webster Hall, NYC, 05/07/04
This was an unusual show for this tour due to the fact that there were no seats or tables anywhere near the stage. This was an old fashioned stand at the stage show. The front edge of the stage has a staircase, from end to end, that goes all the way (4 feet?) down to the dance floor. About a center third of the stage has a 10 foot wide stage extension making like a boardwalk over the steps. The thirds on either side had the steps wide open without a wall or rail or anything. Only a bouncer sitting on the first step would prevent you from just walking up a 10 foot wide staircase and onto the stage. Todd's mike stand and floor stuff were on the actual stage about 8 feet from the crowd. Todd frequently performed on the extended section of the stage, and walked down the steps to sing and touch many times. I was dead center, 2 persons back.
This was the fourth Liars show I've seen and the best. Redbank, Westhampton Beach, Farmingdale, three great shows. This was better. Todd was in rare form and gave 200%. Vocally, it seemed that in Redbank, Todd avoided the shredded part of his range. In Westhampton Beach and Farmingdale, he went for more and missed a couple. After reviews said that Todd's voice was in great shape Wednesday night, he had Thursday off. Friday night he was in rare form. He went for them all, and then some. Since 1979 I've seen Todd every year except 1994, 51 times. Todd's voice was the best I've heard in at least 13 years. I do not specifically remember a show that was better. He was never interrupted or distracted by the condition of his voice, and it seemed it left him free to just pour his guts out. And he did pour them out. His guitar solos were also superb.
As the prerecorded strains of Truth filled the air and set the mood, Todd struts out to the mike in his long flowing robe and declares "I'm gonna find it, I'm gonna find the truth". And you believe him. You know he will. You feel his presence. It's electric.
The words just popped into my head: Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
Buffalo Grass sounded better than ever. Prairie seemed more of a driving force as the crowd bopped. Todd was wailing "and every time I cut you off you GROW-RIGHT-BACK". It was very powerful. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. Todd walks over and wraps his fingers around foamy's neck and the crowd goes wild. He hasn't played a note as the applause continues while he straps it on. Todd then revealed that he had his A game tonight. He smoked it. He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword.
Mammon. Power. More power. The band just blows you out of your shoes. This song defines the sound of the tour for me, maybe because it's my favorite from Liars. Todd's conviction to the lyrics and the power he delivers with convinces you it's the truth. The crowd replied "Your God, your God". His truth is marching on.
Todd was preaching to the choir as the mindless fanatics continued the sing along on choruses of Fascist Christ. They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps.
Then the power pop. Todd enlightens: "If you haven't noticed we're a fucking Rock 'n Roll Band". Into ISP, blow your nuts off style. I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Awe. More awe. On this night Todd could do no wrong. Orbison and Clapton would have been embarrassed. "As ye deal with my condemners, So with you my grace shall deal"
God Said. Beautiful song, done justice. His day is marching on.
Liar. The screams were unrestrained. As good as his voice was, you were sure this would shred it. Nope. Todd's voice stayed strong for the rest of the show.
Beloved Infidel, Lunatic Fringe, Soul Brother, Sweet, all perfect. I was surprised throughout the show how well the crowd seemed to know the new music. The crowd was into the new songs, clapping and singing.
Past. The man did Marvin Gaye better than Marvin ever could. Todd is singing beautifully as he strolls down the steps to meet the crowd at their own level. The electricity in the air is almost visible. The lights form a glow around Todd as arms from the crowd grope at the air like refugees from Utopia. As Todd touched the hands it seemed as though he was healing. I got a sense of what it's like to be in a wacky religion. I know Todd can't heal, but he's healed me before. I was so caught up in the moment, I was sure that if he touched me, the pain of yardwork would leave my back and shoulder. With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
Born to Synthesize, Jesse was fantastic. Kas worked in The Ikon, I believe.
Todd stated that they don't really know the next song and launched Love Science. He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat. It sounded great to me. With the deep pounding sound of this band they got into a groove that was reminding me of Weird Science.
Feel It was great then came The Want Of A Nail. Again, perfect singing, perfect playing, sound system rocking, crowd bopping. Todd gets to the scream near the end and comes flying in on his knees to the edge of the stage extension. Bent back and screaming in the air, he hits it big time. Three feet from my head. It was phenomenal.He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat.
Hello It's Me. It's amazing how great that song still sounds and I'm surprised how great it still is to hear it. Everybody sing.
Just One Victory, I noticed something significant that I'm really surprised the other reviewers didn't mention. Two reviews mentioned that Kas moved up front with Todd but what happened next was Kas took one foot off the ground and bounced a little. Todd shook his head "no". Kas just gave Todd that big grin and did the foot up bounce again. Todd shook no again. Kas did it a third time. They're playing Just One Victory while doing this. Todd just looked at him and smiled. Kas walked away. Todd then spun/hopped on one foot while playing the solo. Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel. When was the last time Todd spun on one foot during the JOV solo? Kas gave this to us. It was an incredible climax to an incredible show.
Worldwide Epiphany was up last, it was great and I enjoyed it, but it just felt like JOV ended the emotional roller coaster of the show.
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Last night I was totally awed. I was captivated.
If Todd were Jim Jones, last night I would have drank the Kool Aid.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
