SPELL FOR A WEAK HEART

Final Fantasy w The Slit/The Centaurs
Tranzac Club Main Room
February 23, 2007

Toronto music fans are pretty spoiled due to the fact that there are tons of great bands always playing in our city and also because Owen plays a lot of small shows here. Prior to heading out on tour with Bloc Party, Owen headlined two shows this past weekend as part of a fundraiser for the Tranzac Club, a community centre and bar in the Annex which originated as club to promote Australian and New Zealand culture. Not sure how or why Steve Kado/Blocks Recording Company fit into the picture, but Steve spoke about the club and how they are in some sort of trouble (I think he said "fucked") before Owen's set.

Opening bands. What can I say. Didn't really enjoy either, the first had an alt-country twang, they weren't bad, it just wasn't by thing. The second band, I didn't like at all. Flute solos (nothing against flukes, Melis who came to the show with us plays it, but this was just weird)....they had drum machines and a keyboard, and a girl singing/chanting, reminded me of late 90's free-form drum 'n bass. Strange.

Final Fantasy played an incredible set consisting of new songs that I haven't heard before but immediately liked (borderline loved). Another thing that really stuck out was the newish visuals displayed behind him. They have gotten really, really good and interesting. I remember the first time I saw Owen way back in Peterborough, the visuals were pretty much stickers and simple drawings. Now they are complex drawings that almost seem animated and themed to each song (maybe it also had something to do with the cold medication mixed with beer). Owen played a couple older tracks (CN Tower Belongs To The Dead, The Lamb Sells Condos) and also a John Cale cover (not sure what the song was called). Finished with The Dream of Win and Reg (messed up the loop at first, apologized, it was endearing). Owen has gotten sooo much better live since the last time I saw him, his loops are much more intricate and advanced. Quite lovely.

Check the link for YouTube clips by letnofootletnohand, who took video of the entire performance.

According to an unofficial Owen Pallet myspace page, Final Fantasy will be playing Harbourfront Centre's annual Indie Unlimited festival on July 1, 2007.