Barenaked Ladies/Kris Allen concert review

Photo from Nashville, May 2010, by Dave Bergman, courtesy barenakedladies.com.

My review originally appeared in the OC Register, which can be viewed here: http://soundcheck.ocregister.com/2010/07/23/barenaked-ladies-carry-on-valiantly-at-the-greek-idol-champ-kris-allen-impresses-in-opening-set/31173/

There’s something about playing the Greek Theatre that brings out the Radiohead fan in musicians.

Case in point: during Wednesday’s opening slot for Keane, Ingrid Michaelson tackled the British band’s “Creep.” Then, Thursday night, while warming up the still-arriving Greek crowd for Barenaked Ladies, L.A. newcomer Angel Taylor covered the same tune — after which second-billed Kris Allen offered his take on “Paranoid Android.” Surely, these were just coincidences. It reminded me of a similar situation exactly a year ago, when I saw both Tears for Fears and Coldplay pay homage to Michael Jackson on successive days. (Of course, there was a lot of Michael’s music in the air at that time.)

Regardless, Barenaked Ladies didn’t play anything by Thom Yorke & Co. during an engaging 90-minute, 21-song set before a moderately-sized crowd (the terraces and benches were closed off). They served up a hilarious medley of others’ tunes instead.

Heading into this show, however, the big question was how the departure last year of co-lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Steven Page would affect the veteran Canadian band’s live dynamic. After all, he started the band with childhood friend and creative partner Ed Robertson (pictured) and they frequently traded verses and comic banter onstage.

Now pared down to a quartet, BNL already passed the first test with a solid new studio album, All in Good Time, released this past spring. Robertson shouldered a majority of the singing and songwriting load, much of it darker in tone and more rock-oriented than before. Bassist Jim Creeggan and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hearn helped pick up the slack and contributed five equally enticing tracks between them.

Why the disc’s emotionally resonant first single, “You Run Away” — one of the best things Robertson has ever penned — wasn’t a monster smash is beyond me. (Regular viewers of ABC’s "The Bachelorette" would recognize the tune from an episode last month in which contestants filmed their own music video for it.)

Fortunately, Barenaked Ladies also nailed Thursday night’s live challenge. The musicians didn’t shy away from Page-dominant material; what’s more, there were only a couple minor instances when fans might have missed his bombastic style. Creeggan and Hearn were front and center more often — both stepped up their backing harmonies, as did drummer Tyler Stewart. Although humor has always been a major element in the BNL presentation, everyone seemed happier than in the past.

Quite a few children and teenagers dotted the audience. Some, no doubt, were there for last year’s American Idol champ; others perhaps enjoyed the kids album (Snacktime!) that BNL put out in 2008. Taylor served as Robertson’s duet partner on the strident rocker “Every Subway Car” — the first of five songs from the new album (two others were included on the setlist but dropped). She looked uncomfortable, tentative and the pairing was an odd fit.

Hearn’s low-key “Another Heartbreak,” with cool cartoon illustrations appearing on 18 rectangular LED screens, sounded stronger in concert than on Good Time. He also led “Sound of Your Voice,” off 2006’s Barenaked Ladies Are Me, as the other guys helped with barbershop-style harmonies and snapping fingers. Creeggan proved equally strong in the lead-vocal department during the Burt Bacharach-esque “On the Lookout,” for which he played piano. Robertson added some majestic electric guitar à la the Edge for “You Run Away” and convincingly showed that his rapid-fire, pseudo-rap skills remained intact amid the polka rhythm of “Four Seconds.”

Following a string of spirited hits (“One Week,” “Too Little Too Late,” “Pinch Me,” “If I Had $1000000” — thankfully no macaroni was thrown onstage this time) plus the quick theme to the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, BNL shifted to its trademark medley of recent Top 40 hits. This one featured Selena Gomez (her cover of the Pilot song “Magic”), the Black Eyed Peas (“I Gotta Feeling”), Justin Bieber (“Baby”) and Katy Perry (“California Gurls”). All four members once again danced at the front of the stage, mimicking Backstreet Boys. It was a real hoot.

As for Kris Allen, anyone who still thinks he’s a lightweight after winning the 2009 Idol crown would benefit from seeing him rock out in concert. His 40-minute set here started with “Can’t Stay Away,” and immediately he and his four-piece band locked into a tight, funky groove. Clad in his usual white T-shirt, black vest and jeans, a gaggle of teen girls screamed whenever he lifted an acoustic guitar.

Although his self-titled debut narrowly missed the Top 10 and hasn’t sold in huge quantities like previous Idol alumni, it’s still a pleasant slice of contemporary pop/rock that suits Allen well. It should, after all: he co-wrote most of the songs. Not every American Idol can say that.

Current single “The Truth” (co-penned by Train’s Pat Monahan) featured a bigger dynamic buildup live than on the album, as Allen crouched down to deliver his passionate vocal. And the band’s blistering rock cover of the aforementioned Radiohead tune was a real eye-opener.

His popular take on Kanye West’s “Heartless” featured impressive cascading harmonies and incorporated Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.” A loose, fun and folksy “Alright with Me” recalled Kenny Loggins, while “Live Like We’re Dying” found the amiable Allen and the band elevating the intensity level.

Finally, a searing version of the Beatles’ “Come Together” (Idol watchers will recall Allen doing it during Rock Week, later teaming up with Danny Gokey on Styx’s “Renegade”) capped things off well. He definitely left the audience wanting more.