After skipping around to a couple of shows on Saturday, I made it back to the Fader party to check out a band I've been mildly curious about, Malajube. I've had the record for a bit, and it seemed to be pleasant French pop with strange song structures. With all the love they've received lately from the usual suspects, I thought I may as well check them out while I have the chance. They did not disappoint. Live, it became very obvious that they are a guitar band, and a tight one at that. Even though I couldn't really hear the vocals (my one complaint about the Fader parties this year), I could hear plenty of awesome guitar tones and the drums. Malajube are tight and worth checking out live whenever they make it to your town. That being said, I think that I like the live show better than the record, and as a good friend pointed out to me last night, I don't think they sound that much like Arcade Fire, so if you are expecting that, you'll be disappointed. If you like good, unpredictable and well layered pop songs (in French), this is right up your ally.

Labels: CMJ, Concert Reviews