at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

Menomena has always been a band worth noting, masterminding albums that age finer with every listen. Genius as they be, Menomena’s destiny isn’t in filling sports arenas.

After witnessing a choir-backed performance nearly a year earlier at Bumbershoot, it’s hard not to feel like the band’s live show has been watered down. Sure, a choir could have been more of an aesthetic choice than anything; it at least complimented Menomena’s over-the-top approach to making music.

Choirless, Menomena jumpstarted things with “The Pelican,” pounding away on electric piano, smashed cymbals, and blasted riffs. As they continued, thumping bass guitar lines and buzzing synth seemed to take a front seat on the soundboard as they muffled those charming vocals and sly, crisp drumbeats the band seems to structure itself around. Things seemed to work themselves out as songs like “Rotten Hell” slinked along clear as a bell.

Menomena is undeniably talented. It’s just a matter now of tightening up and fleshing out those talents to produce a live show. Though they do a great job at duplicating studio feats in live settings, after two shows, I’d still rather put on the old headphones and sit in the comforts of my living room.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

We are all still reeling from the amazing, sweaty, crowded goodness that was Capitol Hill Block Party 2008.

Throughout the weekend we had an imaginary army racing around the Pike/Pine corridor, listening to bands and snapping photos. The result of our intrepid adventures is the huge list of live show reviews below after the jump.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

When I originally saw the Capitol Hill Block Party lineup, I knew if there was one band I couldn't miss, it was Seattle's own Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground. The band opened the Main Stage on Saturday to a beautiful day with an intent crowd -- utterly captivated with this eclectic, larger-than-life band.

Immediately upon taking the stage, the 10-member band (according to Kay Kay superfan ChrisB, that's "a light showing" for them) got the presumably bleary crowd clapping along with their first song -- and this wasn't a simple clap-clap kinda thing. Without prompting, the audience nearly instantaneously sprang to life and clapped along in exact rhythm with the band, as if well-rehearsed.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

I knew the Vera Stage was going to be the scene of some sweet home-brew hip-hop as I passed the tent where people were paying five dollars to hit ex-Stranger writer Ari Spool in the face with pies as Ol' Dirty Bastard and Kelis rapped and sang "Baby, I Got Your Money" on the sound system pre-show. The weather was somehow both cool and humid (?) and the vibe reminded me of when I saw The Saturday Knights for one the first times at the Block Party on the same stage two years previous. The rap music that ensued did not disappoint.

Thig Life, "Justo" D'Amato, and Monk Wordsmith have been partners since teenagers, growing up in the South end of Seattle and living on a steady diet of quality hip-hop. Their fandom comes out in their rhymes and music, as they show their influences proudly but also honestly discuss the daily thrills and spills of being marginalized by society even when you're smarter than most of it.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

One of the great things about rock and/or roll is that you can appropriate anything you want and make it into your own image. Case in point: San Diego's Grand Ole Party using the name that is commonly associated with the Republican party.

Grand Ole Party are not a bunch of Bush-voting conservatives. No, they're a bluesy rock band that kicked ass during their set at the Capitol Hill Block Party on Saturday night. Playing for a large crowd at the Vera stage, Grand Ole Party - especially its singer/drummer Kristin Gundred - held their rapt attention for about 40 minutes. She has a powerful voice that could be welcome in a gospel choir. Beth Ditto of The Gossip is her closest contemporary comparison point.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

There have always been bands I haven’t given the time of day simply because of their monikers. Case in point: Jay Reatard.

I was unsurprised to be greeted with wild-haired, ironic flying-v toting post-punk rockers. But like mama always says, don’t judge a book by its Pitchfork cover story.

Though skeptical, I was pleased once I witnessed a band who could churn out songs so quick and so raw they were seconds away from tearing my face off. Unfortunately their high-energy antics brought out the mosher in some of the crowd, most likely those too drunk to realize that punk has been on its deathbed for quite some time.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

I'm not sure how much more TIG can say about Fleet Foxes that we haven't already said here or here or here or here or here (or see the other 31 Fleet Foxes articles on TIG here, and no, I'm not being hyperbolic here).

Fleet Foxes played the Main Stage on Saturday around 6p, packing out the intersection and delighting all the fans who came to hear them play while simultaneously annoying all those in transit to other shows (ChrisB, I'm looking at you).

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

If you're looking for lyrical, intelligent rhymes, Scribes has got 'em. Each syllable he drops is complex but still accessible, demanding your attention while the beats move your body. With his baseball hat tilted to the side, he stalked across the stage during his opening number, making eye contact with everyone in the front row like he was daring them to bob their heads. Seattle's hip-hop scene is filled with the smartypants flow, from Blue Scholars to Common Market, and it's easy to imagine Scribes joining that list soon.

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

here was nothing romantic about the Main Stage at this year's Capitol Hill Block Party. How could there be? Unless you fantasize about beer gardens, massive throngs of people and hot dogs with cream cheese, there's very little dramatic atmosphere for an outside stage. The Block Party is not for lovers.

That didn't stop DeVotchKa from wooing the audience Saturday night. In fact, their lush melodies and passionate crooning brought to mind gypsy tents instead of beer tents, and made perfect strangers turn to each other with a romantic glint in their eye.

Don't believe me? Okay, here's my evidence...

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at Capitol Hill Block Party 2008

I'm not sure who was happier to be there, the packed crowd or the pumped-up band.

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