The Heights review
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Kings court fans at concertBand draws crowd in and enthralls at the ParadiseThe members of the Kings of Convenience are so unassuming that even their fans don't always recognize them. Before the show opened at the Paradise, Erlend Oye, one of the guitar-playing duo, was walking the sidewalks talking to the fans. He made his way down the block-long line to find out if his fans were cold and to apologize for the delay. Only after the Norwegian accent registered did people realize who had just graced them with his conversation. People came from as far as Maine to see the Norwegian alternative band create soothing melodies combined with contemplative lyrics. Both from Bergen, Norway, Eirik Glambek Boe and Oye comprise The Kings of Convenience. Although not as well known in the United States, the Kings are on the verge of becoming a household name on par with Modest Mouse. Their sound is often compared to Simon and Garfunkel, Nick Drake, and Belle and Sebastian, but they have a uniqueness all their own. The show started an hour late but the wait was well worth it. A T-shirt, velvet blazer, and Napoleon Dynamite-esque glasses donned by Oye create the band's mod-rod look. Most bands like to kick things off with a bang. Not the Kings. They began strumming their guitars almost imperceptibly and drew the audience in with songs like "Toxic Girl," "Singing Softly To Me," and the crowd favorite, "I Don't Know What I Can Save You From." The set continued with their best songs from their albums "Quiet Is the New Loud" and "Riot On an Empty Street." After a few slow numbers that would give Iron and Wine a run for its money, they joked, "Now we're going to quiet it down a bit. Give your ears a rest." The crowd hummed along to "Failure," "Homesick," and "Know-How." Not taking themselves too seriously is a big part of the band's appeal. They instructed the crowd "not to order any drinks with ice or use the cash register," because the sound might clash with their music-making. Rarely is an entire crowd at a club so intently focused on the music at hand. This band has such an amazing sound they can cover "When You Wish Upon a Star" and still come out sounding cool. The Kings sound every bit as good live - their skill on the guitar and keyboard seem almost second nature with their harmonies. It's refreshing to hear a band that doesn't demand your attention with harsh chords and lyrics but earns it by drawing the listener in for the entire set. In addition to their two album releases, The Kings also have a remix album Versus, in stores, and will continue their U.S. tour this month. |