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Bottom of the Hill November 13, 2003 Review by Gregory Ahlbach On November 13th, I was able to see The Ebb and Flow open for NY indie rockers, Firewater at the Bottom of the Hill. Having never heard a lick, I was very eager to discover what this local band had to offer. Not knowing what to expect, I found that what I heard did not disappoint. The Ebb and Flow is a trio that fuse the sounds of a guitar, drums and Moog keyboard to create a distinct jazz-laden indie rock sound. To describe the groups performance that night, I found the band unambiguously experiment with improvisation. The contrived showmanship provided many of the night’s luminous moments. Each member’s confidence in front of the crowd gave them the appearance that they are as well seasoned as the sound they created. Sonically, the group relied heavily on the steady drumbeat of Sara Casetti and the reciprocity between guitarist Sam Tsitrin and keyboard virtuoso Roshy Kheshti. One of the premiere parts of the show occurred during their first song, “El Moracho.” In this tune, the mood changes typified the group’s eclectic songwriting. Several of the songs tempo changes encompassed numerous genres. During this composition I noticed each member’s contribution intensify as the tune progressed. This particular arrangement had shown the bands predisposition to create songs of heterogeneous structures. This was exemplified when this song’s tempo-increase eventually mutated into a sun splashed island-tinged jam. Another moment of the show that highlighted the performance was when they played the track, “Snake Eyes.” This tune began humbly with a rhythmic strum of Sam Tsitrin’s guitar. Soon after, the drums kicked in and Tsitrin took the microphone singing each verse in an undemonstrative manner that had the audience listening admirably. Soon the song gave way to a jam session dominated by Roshy Kheshti and her accompanied Moog keyboard. After a hiatus from the songs original structure, Tsitrin interrupted the mayhem by injecting his vocals. This brought the band and the audience members back to a feeling of normalcy, removing them from the trance-filled state that was induced by the compelling improvisation. For much of the rest of the performance the group showcased their jazzy indie- rock sound by playing such tunes as the jam friendly, “Over-Vexed,” and “Breast Stroke,” which featured a very salient interplay between the guitar and keyboards. Overall, The Ebb and Flow showcased a distinctive sound by entertaining the audience with songs that paid homage to a wide-array of influences. Their intelligent brand of indie-rock was presented by showcasing their innovative songwriting, while at the same time, leaving behind any signs of pretentiousness. In retrospect, I would embrace this group’s sound again if given the opportunity. This bands performance reaffirms my belief that some of the best independent-minded music is being made in our own back yard. With quality artists like these occupying the stages of Bay Area venues, it is only a matter of time before the music industry begins to takes notice. ©2003 playinginfog.com |