Free Energy bests Best Coast, out-bards Titus Andronicus in Chicago

September 18, 2010, at Metro

By Selena Fragassi
Published: September 22nd, 2010 | 7:00am

It wasn’t exactly a novice’s billing. A late-summer Saturday night, one stage, and four first-rate indie bands all competing for the love of an audience who escaped into Chicago’s Metro to evade the zombie throngs of Dave Matthews Band revelers who were littering out onto Clark Street after the band’s sold-out show at Wrigley Field.

Yet somehow, the Philly rockers Free Energy tipped the invisible clap-o-meter in their favor, edging out Male Bonding, Best Coast, and headliner Titus Andronicus for the most, well, energetic—and downright fun—act of the night. Not too shabby for a five-piece who only has one LP on its résumé (2010’s Stuck on Nothing [DFA]). But when you consider that one LP was produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, it all starts to make sense. If Free Energy learned anything from their sessions with Murphy, it’s how to tow the very fine line between pleasing your crowd and remaining positively self-aware, or for a more appropriate example, hosting the house party but remembering how to play a G-chord in between taps from the keg.

Singer Paul Sprangers could best be described as a mix of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Iggy Pop, both in his suave good looks and chaotic frontman charm. Sprinkle in a little of Andrew W.K.’s operating system and classic ‘70s applications like Thin Lizzy and Journey and you start to get the idea of this band’s M.O.

Summer’s darlings Best Coast were up next, and the trio performed nearly every number on their debut Crazy for You (Mexican Summer) like a well-oiled machine—although the indoor setting of this showcase paled in comparison to their high-noon set at Union Park during the Pitchfork Music Fest. Could it be that their easy, breezy Cali songs are only ripe for one season? We want to say it isn’t so, especially since singer Bethany Cosentino has arguably one of the best voices in modern indie rock, but somehow the whole package felt misplaced past Labor Day weekend.

Although quiet for most of the set, Cosentino came out of her shell while mocking the show across the street. She made mention of the time she smoked a joint with Monica Lewinsky at a DMB concert. “I’ve had Bill Clinton in my mouth” she joked.

Titus Andronicus played hard and fair in their headlining slot but came up short of the Shakespearian epic-ness their name might imply. Their latest album, The Monitor (XL), is well known to have been inspired by the battles of the Civil War, which led to a stream of “America!” chants as they appeared on stage.

Not many bands can revive interest in history books, but this sprawling assembly could just as well been selling Bibles and their intensely attentive fans would have likely genuflected. New addition Amy Klein, the lone female member of the group, was particularly eye grabbing with her swift licks on the guitar and violin—her body pogo-ing as her curly hair bobbed about her neck. Singer Patrick Stickles, too, was an enigmatic figure who combined a spot-on Springsteen impression with Conor Oberst’s vocal styling.

Although the energy fueled by the openers was clearly kept alive during Titus’ set, there seemed to be more of a need to impress by the latter act. Civil War–inspired or not, there was only one act on this night that could turn Metro into the Land of the Free.

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Free Energy MySpace page

Male Bonding MySpace page

Best Coast MySpace page

Titus Andronicus MySpace page