Secret Carrboro Ninja Patrol: Show Review: The Proclivities, North Elementary

Tir Na Nog, Raleigh
February 18, 2010

by Carrboro Ninja

Last night The Proclivities settled their brand of smooth textured rocky-pop into Tir Na Nog's Local Beer Local Band and let the energy build up around it like batteries being plugged into a charger. The Proclivities exuded a charmed grasp upon the elements of their music and performed an intensely finespun round of songs. The Proclivities appear to be in control of their craft and how it is formed on stage. Stretched out and at arm's length in one hand is strong stepping guitar rhythm and held opposite with the other hand is hip, smart, and bouncing bass jaunt, when brought down together, The Proclivities weave a decoration of hooks and textures that form up their songs. The materials that make up a woven basket with an ornamental vignette are not foreign to the eye, you understand that reeds were woven and the beads were arranged and when crafted by a master weaver you may appreciate is as a work of art. The Proclivities trademark their sound in much the same fashion. A steady rocking current is formed up as the main vessel and a vignette of slow rolling electric lead guitar is ornately stitched upon it. Matt Douglas' intensely contemplative story-telling microphone voice lulls the arrangement over a back beat which is so in-the-pocket that every craigslist hopeful would update their drummer wanted ad to read "must sound like Matt McCaughan" after a single listen. Being loud and intense is a norm for good indie rock, being subtle and intense is a mark of achievement and The Proclivities were awarded its honor last night.

With a similarly soft spoken front man but a polar opposite inclination toward the proper use of an electric guitar, North Elementary held the stage just prior to The Proclivities. John Harrison resides in this physical world but a portal to a parallel plane constituted with discord and tumult lies just at his feet sealed in analog circuits and stomp boxes. Upon a refrain or outtro when John wishes to summon forth beasts from this dimension you will see him kneel down and rip the portal asunder revealing a hive of screeching demons and feedback monsters. North Elementary is like the calm, cool, good hearted neighbor who chats you up as if nothing is amiss while holding back with tightly gripped chains a pair of snarling and growling pit bulls who seem to want to devour your liver.

Tir Na Nog has cultivated a meaningful and successful concert series and yesterday's show was its choice representation. Stu McLamb warmed things up with a solo teaser trailer to The Love Language's upcoming number two album, the a fore mentioned bands played impeccable sets and the energy in the house kept it hot. Promoter Chris Tamplin will try to maintain the momentum next Thursday with an Americana/roots dig of The Jackets, Starmount, and The Small Ponds. The Small Ponds feature The Proclivities front man Matt Douglas along with Tres Chicas siren Caitlin Cary.

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