Genres tend to exist only as a method of grouping similar musicians, which ends up limiting them. However, there is a point in the musical spectrum where genres simply don't function. What does one call a group of musicians that, while normally associated with indie rock, plays music that is as calculated as any classical composition but bears the liveliness and syncopation of improvisational jazz? You could call Do Make Say Think any genre, but it doesn't stop the band from living at the stylistic Four Corners of music. The band showed its genre-bending abilities during a show at the Black Cat on Monday.
Do Make Say Think isn't the first band to take contemporary indie rock and switch around so many elements that it's nearly incomparable to its original form. Bands such as The Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine have experimented with dynamic balance far outside rock's normal boundaries for years, and contemporary bands such as Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky have taken the concept even further. Do Make Say Think, however, marks its significance with a sense of poise and restraint unseen in most of the band's stylistic neighbors.
Call it minimalism or call it precision, Do Make Say Think isn't in any competition to cram the most notes possible into its songs. Rather, the band refine its songs down to the essential elements. Combined with some jazzy, rhythmic tendencies and interesting jams, the band's songs end up as elaborate masterpieces. Varying from loud to soft, Do Make Say Think tends to tease, although, during its vivacious crescendos, the band members hold nothing back.
Like its recordings, the band's live show is alternately quiet and loud, but never lacks control. As musicians, the band members blend well and are on the same wavelength at all times. At Do Make Say Think's show at the Black Cat on Monday, a saxophonist, trumpet player, violinist, bassist, two drummers and two guitarists comprised the band. The violinist and brass mostly provided nuance and emphasis while the guitars added a substantial level of dynamic control. However, the bassist and drummers stole the show with their rhythmic interweaving, which resulted in most of the show's best moments.
The highlight of what is arguably Do Make Say Think's best song, "Frederica," occurs during its climax. On Monday, the band halted only to start up again with toms and bass drums in full force, blowing the audience away.
The band was impressive on more levels than just drastic shifts in volume. Partially acoustic pieces such as "A Tender History in Rust" are subtly virtuosic, which brings up another one of the band's strengths. Especially with its live shows, Do Make Say Think completely lacks pretention.
All in all, the band overwhelmed fans with its ability to underwhelm at some points, only to come crashing down with a brilliant climax at others. Do Make Say Think uses nuance and dynamics like no other and are without a doubt some of the most skilled musicians among its genre contemporaries.
