The Postal Service / Cex / Jamie of Xiu Xiu

Walking into the Crocodile Café last Wednesday night I had an uneasy feeling. I was not sure why, after all I was about to see the Postal Service for the first time. Maybe it was because I was solo again, at another show. I seemed to stick out sourly. I guess I forgot to dye my hair black, cut thick bangs, wear clothes two sizes too small, carry my messenger bag, and place myself on a pedestal because I listen to non mainstream music. Oops, my bad. Well at least that is how the crowd made me feel. But within a few minutes I remembered why I was there- for the music, not for the crowd.

After what seemed to be an eternity the first performer took the stage, Jamie for the Seattle based band Xiu Xiu. While he had a hard time keeping the attention of some of the people in the crowd, I found Jamie to be quite amusing. He was accompanied by a small acoustic guitar and two synthesizers, which he manned himself. His songs were for the most part slow, and often accompanied by strange and obscure lyrics/sounds from Jamie’s mouth. I tried hard to decipher his lyrics, but it was not an easy task. He seemed to focus on a more sarcastic standpoint, relating to life and real world experiences. So maybe his sound wasn’t too captivating, but his demeanor and expressions on stage where what sold me.

Up next: Cex. Wow. How do you describe him? Well here is my attempt: Cex is obsessed with sex. Cex doesn’t believe in stages so he performs his set meandering though the crowd. Cex likes to wear paten leather platform boots and daisy duke shorts, topped off with heavy black eyeliner. Sure the majority of his lyrics seemed pre-pubescent bathroom humor, but he rapped them well. Cex knows how to put on a show. He loosened up the way to uptight crowd by getting them to dance explaining, “Just dance. No one will look at you, they are all looking at me.” I don’t own any of his albums yet, but that is high on my list of things to do. Check this guy out if you have the chance. Cex is like nothing you have ever seen before.

Now it was time for the event we had all been waiting for. The Postal Service. I picked up their first release “Give Up” about 3 months ago and have not been able to stop listening to it. From the opener The District Sleeps Tonight, to the last note they played I did not stop dancing, as well as the majority of the crowd. The small sold out venue quickly became sticky and sweaty and the giant mass of bodies danced closer and closer together. Their notes infiltrate your senses, creating an indescribable atmosphere. They played just about every track off their only album. The most breathtaking of them being Nothing Better, Clark Gabel, Such Great Heights, and Brand New Colony. I have to say this is one of the best shows I think I have seen. Seattle has been amazing lately. Between this show and Cursive, I don’t think I could have asked for a better month of concerts.

Hats off to The Postal Service for their flawless set, and thank you for a night of really good music that had meaning, and its own style. You give hope to those who think it is getting closer and closer to becoming impossible to find a great new band.