Jamie of Xiu Xiu

The Postal Service / Cex / Jamie of Xiu Xiu: live in Seattlelive in Seattle (2003)
Sub Pop Records

Reviewer Rating: 5

Contributed by: Katie4213Katie4213
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on May 6th 2003Walking 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 t.

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.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (May 10, 2003)

Cex has his full sets of his Seattle shows in mp3 form posted at his web page: www.rjyan.com

lieutenant (May 9, 2003)

OK, that was a lie.

lieutenant (May 8, 2003)

Yeah, I saw Fat Mike and Matt Wong from Reel Big Fish hanging out at the bar. Fat Mike had a PETA shirt on.

Anonymous (May 8, 2003)

Did anybody else see Fat Mike at this show! It was awesome.

lieutenant (May 8, 2003)

From the moment I've listened to it, Give Up has been one of my most favourite albums ever. I just cannot deny the amazing quality this CD has, which for a lack of a better description, I will just leave as "amazing".

Anonymous (May 8, 2003)

Yes gotoheller you are a dumbass! I can't believe you said that! You should totally Kurt yourself. Jesus Christ what kind of horrible human being are you! Who would say something like that? That kind of thing hurts people! Why do you want to hurt people! It didn't start there did it? First it was the family pets that started disappearing, and then you moved to hookers didn’t you? Goddamn you evil person! Forget kurt-ing yourself you should totally pull a Hemmingway. That’s what you get for apologizing for yourself. Who does that? You dirty slut. twat

Anonymous (May 8, 2003)

i am a dumbass i meant to say IS living in seattle, we partied with them in the u-district.

-gotoheller-

Anonymous (May 7, 2003)

umm i am pretty sure that xiu xiu is not living in seattle. we partied with them at thier house here last week.

-gotoheller-

Anonymous (May 7, 2003)

and i can't spell for shit... xiu xiu

Anonymous (May 7, 2003)

xui xui is from san jose

TenderBransonX (May 6, 2003)

I would go see postal service once a month for year. and then ask for a new album.
Steven
www.murdertheturtle.com

Anonymous (May 6, 2003)

weird... when i saw cex with death cab and dismemberment plan, he looked like yr average white guy early 20 something, in jeans and a sleeveless t-shirt, rapping about bicycles and either starign at his laptop or standing on the bassdrum...

however, i have yet to find any of his "hip hop" recorded... any records of his i've ever heard are kinda weird electronic soundscape kinda stuff... (think mellow aphex twin or kid606)

peace
667

Anonymous (May 6, 2003)

Cex was one of the worst things I have ever experience in my life.

The Postal Service is worth it though, lots of fun.

travis (May 6, 2003)

scott, definitely check this band out. in no way are they "punk," but based on previous posts, you seem like a person that can handle that. think dancable death cab for cutie.

travis (May 6, 2003)

i went to the second nights show of this in seattle. Cex struck me as an immature MC Paul Barman but with absolutely amazing stage presence. I had so much fun during his set. and the postal service was absolutely breathtaking. oh man... i just cant find the words to say how much their show meant to me that night.

KirbyPuckett (May 6, 2003)

I've been hearing a lot about Postal Service. What are they like? Someone fill me in here...I mean is it worth it for me to stop playing Postal 2 to check out this band?

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/
(The Suicide Machines are back!)