And your ears shall hear…

One of the coolest parts of seeing a band live, might just be hearing the songs they choose to cover.  While you are mostly in attendance to hear a band play their hit songs, it is always telling to hear their cover songs.  We get a glimpse into their influences, and a chance to hear the songs our hero’s heroes loved.  Bell X1 played a classic Smith’s song, “There is A Light That Never Goes Out,” that warmed the room of Schuba’s Backstage.  It took the whole crowd by surprise, and a lot of people were grinning from ear to ear, singing those inspirational words.  It was a very simple, acoustic rendition, that left me with a new-found respect for the lads hailing from County Kildare in Ireland.  The highlight of the night had to be “Rocky Took A Lover,” off the LP “Flock.” With its amazing pop sensibilities and some half-hearted lyrics, the guys from Bell X1, got their biggest applause of the night.  The crowd laughed as they sang along with the ear bending lyrics that come encased in this pop gem. 

He said ‘I wanna shine in the eye of Orion
But I drove my soul through the Black Hole!’
She said ‘What a wonderful way to wake me
You weren’t so nice last night
You’re such an asshole when you’re drunk’
He said ‘At least I’m OK in the mornings’

Once more proving that bands don’t become legendary for wearing certain clothes, or drinking a particular soft drink, but by writing songs that we carry with us for a lifetime.  “Rocky Took A Lover,” is one of them, and the song “Flame,” is another.  This time with lyrics of being near someone we love, being drawn to their flame, and bathing in their light. “Flame” had everything a great song begs for, and yet the boys didn’t even need the full band.  It literally felt like we were sitting around “toasting marshmallows, on a cold, dark, night.” The sold out acoustic show brought that type of up close, and personal feel, while “Flame,” and “Eve, The Apple Of My Eye” made it both eerie and beautiful.  The three players from ‘Bell hit up a majority of their most popular tunes.  Schuba’s actually had folding chairs set up, which in turn created a more focused audience.  People in the back still talked and checked cell phones annoyingly, but most people in the house were entranced by the performance.  Lead singer Paul Noonan’s vocals were impeccable throughout the night, and bass player Dominic Philips added nice harmonies and backing vocals.  One of the things that really made the performance stand out was David Geraghty’s electric piano, and lead guitars.  His occasional lead vocals were sweet too, but all three of them blew the crowd away when they sang some three-part harmonies and fed them back through a sampler.  This created a full band effect that exceeded any expectations for the night.  There is nothing this band didn’t do well, leaving the crowd wanting more.  Our only hope is that Bell X1 return to electrify Chicago audiences.  I will be back for more…