Malajube was easily one of my highlights from CMJ ‘06. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who had similar feelings. The buzz around the band has followed them since those performances, resulting in two sold out nights at the Mercury Lounge. It’s pretty clear that the next time in town they will be heading down Houston to the Bowery Ballroom, but for now, they had to prove they could handle all that hype.

Surprisingly though, a band who I thought was rather unspectacular at the Fader party during CMJ ‘06, Snowden, ending up almost stealing the show from them. Snowden, who released Anti-Anti (Jade Tree) last year was simply on point throughout with their keyboard infused and sonically engrossing post-punk. I’ve heard the live show far surpasses their studio work but they definitely made a fan that night.

I am not saying I didn’t totally enjoy Malajube’s set. The band’s set was just less energetic then back in the fall. It seemed like they are somewhat tired of playing stuff from their last album Trompe L’Oeil (Dare To Care) and I sensed much more energy when they were engaging in some heavier, instrumental fair. They were good, not great. Fun, but not fantastic.

Malajube Interview
Snowden

Tags: Malajube, Snowden, show review //