Concert Review: Denali Reunion Show at The Echoplex
By Seraphina L.
I have to shamefully admit that I had never listened to Denali before Saturday night. In fact, I had only heard of their name once or twice. So when I heard they were having a reunion tour, I figured the their music had to be decent in order to be that popular.
I learned a lot on Saturday night. I learned how to let Maura Davis’ voice soak into my bones and I discovered that the sweet dreamy sounds of Beach House and the hard rock of The Stills really can be infused into one awesome band. Years from now, I can say that I was at Denali’s third and last show of their 2008 Reunion Tour.
As they took the stage, the enamored fans around me excitedly clapped their hands and spontaneously shouted, “I love you, Maura!” I took one look at Denali on the stage with the Echoplex’s trippy lighting pouring over them and just hoped they better sounded as good as they looked. Maura Davis faced us behind her keyboard with a delicate look but held a powerful stance. Her brother and bassist who stood beside her was also too good looking for his own good. In fact, the entire band was pretty swoon-inducing.
However, this band wouldn’t have had a reunion tour if they weren’t solid musicians. The first note out of Maura’s mouth was angelically bright but dark enough for me not to hate it. She had this mesmerizing breath in her phrasing yet every melody she sang was extremely poignant – and those high notes! She flawlessly hit every one of them. She also disintegrated any singer-songwriter stereotype. After a song or two, she busted out the guitar and completely dominated the audience with her range of skills.
Maura was definitely a highlight of the night, but Denali as a whole exceeded my expectations after just one or two listens to their MySpace page. With a sound reminiscent to Pinback and Blonde Rehead but with more credible musicianship, Denali’s execution of what they call songwriting was a compelling experience. Before the show was even half over, I thought five words as I watched their shadows dance behind them: I am a fucking fan.
Photo by castalia12
