Week in Rock: Rites Of Spring Edition

Atoms For Peace Blow-Up RoselandThe headline isn't quite as hyperbolic as it might seem: Atoms For Peace's second sold-out show at Roseland really started with a bang, with several manhole explosions on W 52nd st. causing huge chaos in the area, sending some Yorke-superfans (who had been on-line for hours) into a worried frenzy. Thankfully, the band did go on once the room was packed in, and played a full-bodied, percussion-heavy set to the utter delight of everyone with ears.Thom Yorke's supergroup, which includes blue-haired elastic-bassist Flea, engineer/producer Nigel Godrich, sometime-Beck drummer Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco, performed Yorke's 2006 solo record The Eraser in full, letting the twitchy, electronic songs breathe, extending them toward dancier horizons. Interestingly, the less poppy songs translated the best; "Harrowdown Hill" was menacing and had an incredible coda, "Skip Divided" was slinky and erotic, and "The Clock" sounded like it was always meant to be played with a rock band. Opening song "The Eraser" had the best cameo of the night, an eviscerating solo from jazz trumpeter Christian Scott (you can see a video of it below).The album came to life during the performance, and the crowd seemed completely swayed by the side-project. Best of all, everyone onstage was having a visibly great time: Godrich got to leave the keyboards and skronk on guitar for awhile, Flea threw himself around the stage rhythmically, filled with boundless manic energy, and Yorke was all smiles and gangly dances (like trying to make a seizure look sexy, in the best possible way), his voice as effortlessly strong and charismatic as ever.After The Eraser, Yorke played a three song solo set, highlighted by a rare piano performance of Radiohead b-side "Fog" ("baby alligators in the sewers/grow up fast") and "Everything In It's Right Place." The band concluded with four songs, less hooky and more dance-oriented, including stellar new tune "Judge, Jury and Executioner," and a downright Portisheady-version of another Radiohead b-side, "Paperbag Writer." It was a deeply satisfying show, although it would be nice if some fans remembered they REALLY don't sound anything like Yorke, and should REALLY not try to match him. — Gothamist

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Published Apr 9, 2010

Modified Apr 9, 2010

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Click through for more on Thom Yorke's supergroup, Webster Hall-headlining Girls, a Rites of Spring Benefit featuring Bjork, and Columbia University's spring Bacchanal.

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