Live Review: Bad Books @ Bowery Ballroom 10-20-10

Bad Books might seem like a side project or split record for Kevin Devine and Andy Hull, but the two friends have made it clear that it's more than that. Much more. Bad Books isn't a one time thing, Hull said, at the band's sold out Bowery Ballroom show on Oct. 20. Bad Books isn't just Devine and Hull. There's Robert McDowell, Jonathan Corley, and Chris Freeman,  and Ben Homola of Manchester Orchestra.

For what's it's worth, I had only heard three songs from the new record before attending this show. What I heard I mostly enjoyed. I was looking forward to getting surprised. Now, vocally Devine and Hull are some of the best. They know how to use their voices appropriately with the music. I must say that some of the guitar work was least than appealing for me, like "Baby Shoes" and "Holding the Laughter Down." However, live I could listen pass those unappealing chords to take in the overall experience and the lovely vocals. The set was filled with the band's new self-titled album.

Bad Books out digitally for $2.99, live acoustic stream 10/20, free song

DOWNLOAD: Bad Books- You Wouldn't Have to Ask

Bad Books' debut album featuring Kevin Devine and Andy Hull (of Manchester Orchestra) is out today digitally. Amazon has it for 2.99 here. One of the songs "You Wouldn't Have to Ask" is available courtesy of Favorite Gentlemen or free above. The album is out on cd and vinyl Nov. 9. This is magically music. It will move you. If you like the two musicians, then check out this combination.

Also, the band is performing a live acoustic set this Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 1pm EST at www.livestream.com/badbooksmusic.

Later that evening they perform at Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

Bad Books (Andy Hull + Kevin Devine)

DOWNLOAD: Bad Books – “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask”

Bad Books is the side project of Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra's Andy Hull. The two emotionally passionate musicians have performed, toured, and collaborated together before, but this time they team up for a full album release and short tour. The self-titled album will be released on October 19th through Favorite Gentlemen Recordings. Grab a free download of the band's first single above and also stream a new song called "Please Move" here. 

As songwriters go, Hull and Devine could not be further apart in terms of creative approach. The methodical wordsmith Devine, an English major from Fordham, is known to pine away for great lengths of time just to accurately pin-point one word within a lyric. “I was doing a take of ‘You’re A Mirror I Cannot Avoid’ and stopped myself for fifteen minutes because I was having trouble justifying ending two lines in the same chorus with the word ‘back.’ Just sitting there, staring at the screen, writing different word choices. I asked Andy if he thought it mattered, and he said, ‘Of course it doesn’t.’ Somewhere in that exchange is I think what differentiates us as songwriters. I think Andy trusts his instincts to lead him to the right place in a song, and sometimes I want to outthink my instincts because I’m scared of repeating myself, of resting on my laurels. And I think together, those two approaches meshed really, really well,” Devine said.

Hull echoes that sentiment: “Kevin is very meticulous, where I came in with a few ideas and fleshed them out literally as we were recording. Kevin’s songs were awesome and he was cool enough for me to throw in some ideas to change a part or add a bridge here or there.”

In contrast to previous outputs from Manchester Orchestra and Devine, Bad Books cradles a much more noticeable pop aesthetic and energy than either artist has probably ever showcased before. Nowhere is this more evident than in songs like “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask” and “Holding Down the Laughter”.

See below for tour dates, including one in NYC!