Somewhere in between serene lightness and looking out the window on a cold, rainy day, there’s the music of Pinback. Take a typical emo song and leave it in the sun for a while so it becomes super delicate and whitewashed–that’s the simplistic, bent vibe of Pinback’s music. It all started with their self-titled album in 1999, followed by two of their most popular records called Blue Screen Life and Summer in Abaddon. From “Penelope” to “Seville” to “Syracuse” to “Fortress,” the duo understands how to grab listeners by the hand and lure them into their world of poetry that’s hazy yet strong, mysterious and alluring.
It’s the 10th Anniversary Tour of Pinback’s album Autumn of Seraphs–an album that really took advantage of the band’s more disjointed experimental side, which took their made-for-a-Zach-Braff-movie sound and got it drunk with Modest Mouse. This newfound energy continued on their next record from 2012, the album that was released just three years before Rob Crow decided that he was going to quit playing music, and instead went on to play in his own band. But things turned around since then and Crow reunited with Armistead Burwell Smith IV and Pinback is on tour again.
The band released another album this year called Some Offcell Voices, which continues with their subdued indie sound that’s steady and balanced and very old-school style Pinback, especially on songs like “Trainer” and “June.” And even though this record is recently released, it still feels as though it’s been a little while since this band has been around, even though it hasn’t been long at all. It feels like a reunion. And it already feels so good to see these dudes play again.
Irving Plaza
10/8
7 p.m.
$25
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