August 3, 2006
A Letter to the Editors
Dear Editors,
This letter concerns your August 2nd performance at the Opera House.
Let me just start by congratulating you - you really pulled it off.
I wasn't sure that you'd be able to. I mean, you made us wait through two opening bands (first one good, second one bad) and three hours before you finally came on, which meant that everyone was kinda pissed off by the time you started. Three hours is a long time to wait for anyone, let alone a band who's released just one album (even if it's up for the Mercury Prize). I mean, I liked The Back Room - not the whole thing, but a few songs. "Blood," for one. It's great post-punk, and I gave it five stars in iTunes. That's a pretty big deal, I think. "Camera," "Fingers In The Factories," "Bullets," "All Sparks" - there's some solid stuff on that album, but most of the rest of it seemed pretty forgettable. Still, I was optimistic since I'd heard that you were good live.
And holy shit! You guys killed. Every single song was great. Amazing stage presence, too, really good for a band that's only been around for a few years. Have you considered releasing a live album? I know you've only recorded a little over an hour's worth of material in the studio, but it'd probably be a good career move at this point. It totally worked for Kiss.
Anyway, in light of your great performance, I feel that I should apologize for some things. The Back Room isn't boring, and I'm sorry I told my friends that it was. Your band name is not lame, I don't think. Your songs don't all sound the same; live, there are subtleties that aren't really that detectable on the album. And, finally, I promise that I will stop comparing you to Interpol every time your name is mentioned. I just like Interpol a lot, and I thought you guys sounded similar. That's all.
(Seriously, though; just one album? And you play like that live? Goddam.)
Love, Your Newest Fan,
Torontoist
The Editors continue their world tour throughout the month of August. More photos from their Opera House show are available in Torontoist staffer Carrie Musgrave's photoset from the night.
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IMPEACH TOPPING! HE'S SUCH A LAME-ASS.
Why have you guys have been tossing about profanities so casually? Are fuck and shit the new pink?
i'm totally with you david - every word.
i liked the editors before the show, i didn't love them and was thoroughly annoyed off with the delay, but they completely wooed me.
fantastic set, a really tight band. and tom smith? who knew he had such awesome presence?
but as an aside, where is a new interpol album? a girl can only wait so long.
and no, i don't know what "annoyed off" means. carry on.
I really enjoyed this show, as well. And Tom Smith is very fun to shoot...I wish all shows were like that (great lighting, active band). I'd go see them again in a heartbeat (minus the crappy openers).
It's the heat Jerrold, it makes us swear like sailors. Come winter we'll all be writing in elevated diction and using words like thusly and circumspectiously.
I feel bad for saying "crappy openers"...Tin Bangs were actually pretty decent. The second band was kinda boring and way too heavy on the fog machine...came off quite gimmicky.
I don't want to be Torontoist's Richard Nixon; that'd totally suck.
And Jerrold, it's edgy. It's cool. It says "I'm being dangerous, on the internet!" It says "don't read this mom or dad, or else you'll get a screenfull o' bad words!"
Actually, I just think it's good for emphasis in some cases. And it can be funny. I don't see any reason to avoid swearing if it fits; we're Torontoist, not The Globe.
Personally, I aim to bring the word "balderdash" back into common parlance. Maybe also "sugar!" as an exclamation.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not being prudish. I agree that the heat has most certainly acheived curseworthy status and that when used appropriately profanity is effective. But I'm not sure that's been happening here. Just a humble reader's opinion... save the shits and fucks for when they count and be mindful that your sydicates (readingtoronto, googlenews, etc) might not find the shits and fucks to be as hip as you do :)
As much as i love the Editors. on record and live, don't you find that there is a horrible danger of them turning into Coldplay? At first, i didn't see it at all, having been listening to the record for months (back when it was only available as an import). True i did see how that band fit together with eraly U2, Echo & TBM, Joy Division, Interpol, Chameleons, The Cure. But NOT copy them. Hell, i didn't even know what the guys looked like.
Until i saw them live at the Phoenix months ago. Man they blew me away, but i get the impression that the lead dude is turning into that Martin sob from Coldplay. Soon he will be annoying us with shit about NGO's and naming his kids after fruits and vegetables. I tell you i left with a weird feeling in my stomach. Like it will all be going down from here. So enjoy it while it lasts.
On the other hand, he might be the Stipe to Chris Martin's Bono-lite. AS soon as the blue eye paint and shaved head make an appearance...
-G.
PS: for the record, if they played the whole album, plus single and EP tracks, plus REM cover - they'd have enough for a (kickass) live album.
I'm pretty sure that, either way, the next album'll be make or break for the Editors. They have a lot of people sitting on the fence about them.
But I seriously hope that they don't turn into Coldplay. The lead singer is ridiculously charismatic (and kinda crazy), and kinda crazy works very well live. But I see what you're saying though. Guess we both have to keep our fingers crossed then, eh?
Interesting that Coldplay has been brought into the mix, because I do remember thinking very distinctly that the singer was a bit Chris Martin-ish. I don't think that detracts from the music or the entertainment value, though.
Same here, I listened to their songs and wasn't that crazy about them but decided to check them out anyway. I was angry about the wait, my feet and back were killing me....but as soon as they started playing I forgot everything before including the awful second band. They were fantastic live, some of the songs especially Camera gave me chills. I do think the Chris Martin comparison is a bit unfair though, I bet no one would have thought of that if he had his usual short straight hair. Chris (the guitarist) was great as well. I feel lucky to have seen them in such a small venue. :)