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Architecture in Helsinki with Dr. Dog and Aqueduct
As seen on October 3rd, 2005 the Warsaw in Brooklyn, NY
Don’t mistake Architecture in Helsinki for a Finnish group. This huge gang of Australians is best known for its sweet indie-bubblegum pop and wide unconventional instrumentation. Somehow, it all managed to work on a Monday night in Brooklyn. Barely able to fit comfortably onstage, the band appeared, bird whistles in mouths, to play the laid-back, reggae-tinged “Need To Shout.” You can’t help but subconsciously fall in love with the attitude and precious look and sounds of ‘AIH’. As they proceeded to play the opening tracks from their latest (and second) release “In Case We Die,” I wanted to wrap my arms around the stage. These guys know how to use a variety of instruments, and use every one of them in each song (which aren’t very long), and still make it sound catchy. For one example, a clothes hanger was hung across the width of the drum set, adorned with an assortment of soup cans and aluminum dishes. Although these items were barely audible, it provided an instrument for members who had nothing to play on certain songs. The group also featured a French horn player who played with the Polyphonic Spree.
It doesn’t hurt that the band’s two albums are relatively short, with a combined length of an hour and twenty minutes, since it virtually guaranteed that any fan’s favorite song would be played, with a few surprises as well. Besides playing their obvious selections, a mid-show change of pace occurred when they blasted through a surf tune that resembled the Ventures.
Barsuk Records’ Aqueduct made for a fun three-piece opening act. The highlight of their set was a song called “Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights”, with a catchy hook that remained lodged in my head for the rest of the week. Almost as amusing was their cover of the rap classic “Damn, it Feels Good to Be a Gangsta.” Following act Dr. Dog displayed a bluesy-rock sound that might work elsewhere, but felt out of place for this crowd. For instance, their lead guitarist pretty much stole the performance with his hunched-over dancing, looking like Tom Petty getting ready for a fishing trip.
Concert Grade: A-
Mike Tietjen
 
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