I handsomely strolled to the Handsome Furs show a few Sundays back.  Handsomely placed on Delancey and Bowery is a weathered gem called The Bowery Ballroom, in close proximity to the JohnVarvatos purchasee CBGB.

At half past eleven, the Handsome Furs vividly appeared on stage under the intrusive light. The sleek, unfed lead singer, Dan Boeckner took stage with his Native American clad wife; Alexei Perry.  Their singular coolness was felt throughout the hip crowd, yet their combined coolness rang throughout the dark blocks of the lower east side of Manhattan.  Boeckner’s postmodern mullet laid straight, stiff as if it were made of black straw.  The wife, alive as the vivid southwestern art draped around her neck, was ready to get lost in the crazy drum machine beats.

Their music, an innovative version of indie country and synthetic beats, sounded smooth and interesting (when digging deeper it reminded me of an energico elegy presented during the encore of an eclectic recital set in the futuristic wild west - I know that makes no sense, but it does at the same time right?).  Handsome Furs unified drone rolled off their instruments, like the dispersement of smoke in its futile decent to the heavens.  Intensity and meaning highlighted the simple lyrics.  The lead singer’s melancholy voice, backed by his melancholy riffs – were jolted with electronica by his counterpart just when they needed to be.  Their sound was like nothing I had ever heard live. 

Seeing the Handsome Furs live is a must; its effect on me I’d most closely equate to my energy vortex experience in Malibu; it was unreal but so real at the same time.  I highly suggest checking it out so you too can experience the levity, clarity and innovative rock n’ roll a Handsome Furs show can provide.

As a side note, if you like this sound check out Boeckner’s other projects – Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, and Atlas Strategic….

Enjoy…

Handsome Furs - Dead + Rural

Handsome Furs - What We Had

Handsome Furs - Sing! Captain

Handsome Furs - Dead Animals