The Chance To Stand Up and Triumph In The Room

Max Tundra @ (le) Poisson Rouge 1/17/2009

Which Song / Nord Lead Three / Orphaned / Lights / Will Get Fooled Again / ? / Glycaemic Index Blues / Lysine / The Entertainment / What Time Is Love / So Long, Farewell / Until We Die

Max Tundra “Which Song”

I have no doubt that if Max Tundra put forth the effort to relentlessly tour throughout North America for a year or so, primarily focused on playing college towns and opening for simpatico acts, he would end up with some very enthusiastic word of mouth and a very loyal fanbase of excitable nerds. Tundra is a magnetic, though somewhat atypical showman. He’s a tiny dude in unremarkable clothing, but he’s constantly in motion, whether he’s dancing and striking poses or running through his arsenal of instruments like a person with severe ADD showing off their home studio. He’s very good at playing to an audience without indulging in many contrivances — he builds enthusiasm in the room by displaying it on stage, and his understated wit and affable demeanor encourages identification and affection. The catchy, highly frenetic songs count for a lot too — even having heard Mastered By Guy At The Exchange and Parallax Error Beheads You several times in the past, they feel very fresh and exciting in a concert setting, particularly the slick, Scritti Politti-ish “Which Song” and the skewed, fast-forward R&B of “Lights.”

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