City Center live at the Comet

I've been listening to City Center since last summer when I had a whole lot of nothing to do at work and was in ambientish rockish exploration mode. How cool do I feel when the Fader highlights them and their awesome track (will not say where I tracked it down), Poolside? Pretty fuckin' cool. They're a pleasant blend of airy distorted guitar and a healthy dose of fuzzy pop (Fader lingo) that carries my mind off to thoughts of pillow fights with my prettiest pals in a warm tropical rain with magical  feathers that stay dry as they float to the ground without losing any of their delicate appeal.

                                                                                                                                 

Want to win my heart? Take me to shows. My Friday night date with a Seattle super cutie has been a major blip on the radar. Though I've been stalking City Center's 'space I failed to note their tour stops in Seattle. Aforementioned cutie however, did; throw dinner in the mix and I'm swooning. After a healthy dose of wine and a few man cans in the park we stumbled into the Comet. The room is developing; house lights blazing, my vision blurring, there's maybe thirty people here. Grab seats at the bar and order the Comet standard Rainier tallboy - I feel as though I'm not in the right place. The energy feels off; not uncomfortably off, but just... off.

After one mediocre opener and randomly bad ska/jam band thing, I'm ready and waiting for my City Center live zone out sesh. Finishing my Jameson I turn around, and note that the band on stage is City Center! At some point, the band must have made their way on stage. We try and tune in, though in reflection I'll definitely move from the bar closer to the stage, especially when there's not a crowd. The performance lacked the emotion I'm used to hearing, and I would have loved to hear some more vocals. Before we know it their lengthly 35-40 minute set (note sarcasm) was over and I'm perhaps, over enthusiastically irritated that it is. I just can't believe that with all the buildup I'd created it was so short. But really, no less sweet.

I'm not sure what the future for these guys holds, nor can I advocate that you see them unless you have good company by your side to keep you happily unaware. And unless you're seeing them tonight in Portland or Olympia tomorrow they're off to finish the rest of their tour on the West/Southwest so catch them on the 'space and check out their track:

Poolside