Landing on a vocal delivery style not too dissimilar from Michael Stipe, the most interesting thing about the movie-turned-tv-turned-rock-star Kiefer Sutherland is the fact that he’s very good at live singing and performing. Wrapped up in token Americana/Blues-rock trinkets (hats, bracelets, denims), there’s an over- riding default position to wrap Sutherland up in a collection of screen artists who seem to view the music scene as the ultimate in cool and artistic exchange; the ultimate destination for those who want to be known, well-liked, respected, and/ or personally validated. Probably aware of the barriers an audience might have to access his music, Sutherlands default tonight is to get straight into the act of letting the music speak for itself – and a quick one-two punch of Down Below and Only Happy When it Rains (yes, the Garbage song) sets him up as a good time, upbeat, bar room boogie/Americana act – complete with nice arrangements, Peter Buck style guitar lines, and a solid backbeat. Standouts “Goodbye California” and “Agave” support Sutherlands vocal chops in a show which proves that not only can Sutherland create and deliver interesting music, but also that he’s in it for the long run. Impressive.
|
