New York City-based Better
Days is better known as a melodic, moving and mesmerizing modern
rock band. But when they appeared as a 3 piece at New York's
acoustic showcase venue, The Living Room, these talented guys
didn't lose a thing.
If anything, they were sonically
punctuated with a heightened emotional and intimate depth.
Playing without a drummer, in a venue that seats less than 70
patrons, (in a speakeasy, coffee bar-like atmosphere), Better
Days achieved a stellar, compelling presence in their first
acoustic show in over a year.
They played songs from their two released
discs (LEAVING THE BLUE, and SOMEDAY YOU'LL GROW UP), while
slipping in the occasional surprising, and as yet unrecorded
numbers ( such as "I Live") to a thrilled local
audience.
When the band opened with "High and
Low", they effortlessly gave new meaning to the word
'mellifluous'. The ever-popular "Romeo", a song that
paints its sentiments in impressionistic sounds and words, was
arrestingly poignant in its studied chord structures and
reflective lyrics. Mark Flaherty is an amazing songwriter, with
a graceful and commanding delivery that had this usually jaded
New York City crowd stunned into silent admiration.
Speaking of command, Better Days exhibits
a self-effacing, 'gosh-we're-not-worthy' demeanor they should
really lose, and fast. Humility is nice, but for a band THIS
good, Better Days can afford to be a little more cocky. Their
set alternates between deeply felt meditations
("Invisible", "2 O'Clock") to sunny riffs
and happy choruses ("One and Only", All Around
Me", "Sunday Morning") and back again to
universal ruminations.
During the show (performed before a
friendly, packed room), Mark Flaherty commented and nearly
apologized about the abundance of 'sad' songs in the
band's repertoire. But
Better Days is a tremendous treat in all its vagaries -- high or
low.
Some bands just make easy listening music.
Better Days makes sweet listening music.With uplifting rhythms,
heart-string-tugging grooves and stirring two-part harmonies,
(Flaherty supported by the falsetto vocals of acoustic guitarist
Thomas Zoranski), Better Days is like comfort food for the ears.
And at times such as now, we could all use a little more
comfort.
Mark my words: There is something
undeniably special about this little local band. And as they
begin to tour and perform outside New York City, winning new
fans and expanding their sphere, more people will soon know of
what I speak , and that can only lead to better days for music
lovers the world over.
