The Secret History at the Knitting Factory, Brooklyn (8/26/10)
Read More Everyone is raving about the fact that songwriter Michael Grace Jr., from the indiepop band My Favorite, has teamed up with Lisa Ronson…
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Known for their maudlin sound and tragic lyrics, the Secret History took the stage in Brooklyn in a relatively fitting manner: bathed only in the light of a projected black-and-white French film. It made for a dramatic set-up, but after the first song, lead singer Michael Grace Jr. confessed that he was “scared of the dark,” and asked the stage crew for a more traditional backdrop. The break in theatrics provided a healthy dose of contrast to the band’s looming stage persona, which they often broke with silly anecdotes and self-aware dance moves.
Lisa Ronson sang lead on the majority of the songs, contrasting Grace’s animated antics with her own brand of sophistication. On slower songs like “Love Theme (from the World That Never Was),” her steady voice kept the melancholy song interesting and almost upbeat at times. She also showcased her ability to kick things up a notch, having no qualms about screaming her head off during “How I Saved My Life.”
With only one album, the setlist consisted primarily of The World That Never Was tracks, but they slipped in a new song from their upcoming album. With bouncy, almost-punk-like guitar riffs, it was noticeably different from their previous work, but Grace’s intricate songwriting seemed to remain intact within Ronson’s sparkling vocals. It was usually the times when the two sang together that the audience’s energy seemed to buzz. On songs like, “God Save the Runaways” and “Our Lady of Stalingrad,” Grace and Ronson kept things exciting with their palpable chemistry. For a band that seems to love singing about death and destruction, their performance seemed to leave the audience all warm and fuzzy inside.
Lisa Ronson sang lead on the majority of the songs, contrasting Grace’s animated antics with her own brand of sophistication. On slower songs like “Love Theme (from the World That Never Was),” her steady voice kept the melancholy song interesting and almost upbeat at times. She also showcased her ability to kick things up a notch, having no qualms about screaming her head off during “How I Saved My Life.”
With only one album, the setlist consisted primarily of The World That Never Was tracks, but they slipped in a new song from their upcoming album. With bouncy, almost-punk-like guitar riffs, it was noticeably different from their previous work, but Grace’s intricate songwriting seemed to remain intact within Ronson’s sparkling vocals. It was usually the times when the two sang together that the audience’s energy seemed to buzz. On songs like, “God Save the Runaways” and “Our Lady of Stalingrad,” Grace and Ronson kept things exciting with their palpable chemistry. For a band that seems to love singing about death and destruction, their performance seemed to leave the audience all warm and fuzzy inside.
♥ The Secret History at the Knitting Factory, Brooklyn (8/26/10) |
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