The Books read mystically into musical purgatory in Chicago

October 29, 2010, at Vic Theatre

By Jodi Root
Published: November 1st, 2010 | 7:00am

After a near death experience with a maniacal cabbie, I wasn’t sure I made it to the Books concert as a living being or if my soul was swept into some form of musical purgatory. Once I arrived, the first thing I noticed was how cold the venue was—it was literally winter jacket inside cold. Perhaps it was because of the Vic Theatre’s more intimate set-up, with lines of folding chairs versus standing general admission, or maybe it was because the crowd was much more tranquil themselves, quietly conversing in polite anticipation for the experience that was to follow. And quite the experience it was.

It’s hard to summarize what the Books put on as a performance per say as the entire showcase was much more of a multi-dimensional experience of visuals, recordings, and peaceful yet subdued instrumentation. The 80 or so minutes the trio of musicians were on stage included several songs from the latest release The Way Out (Temporary Residence), starting with the hypnotic narrative album opener “Group Auntogenics I.” Visuals swirled on the oversized backdrop, with various images complementing each specific track’s samples and overall vibe.

With the shadowy stage and artsy film series, it was easy to forget that musicians were actually seated on the stage. The melodic guitars, strings, and vocals were ambient, while gripping, but still seemed secondary to the experimental loops and samples displayed. The overall sound was crisp, sounding like a stripped down and non-dancey version of fellow electronic indie artist Caribou.

Banter was minimal and somewhat dry, which was surprising considering the humorous and lighthearted content on the screen above. Whether it was a song about golf, the infamous Home Alone Talkboy, family, or even a death march, the crowd was thoroughly immersed, clapping treating them to a standing ovation prior to the three song encore which featured their Dark Was the Night compilation contribution “Cello Song.”

It was perhaps one of the calmest events in an otherwise hectic and party-filled Chicago for Halloween weekend, yet the overall contemporary and soothing sounds made for a perfect hideaway—leading me once again to ponder if I had indeed survived my hectic, high speed cab ride or if the experience was all a peacefully haunting glimpse into the afterlife.

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The Books official site

The Books MySpace page

Temporary Residence Limited Records