Concert Review: Jonathan Coulton Is The Smart Guy Of Music In MHOW
Jonathan Coulton has always prided himself on being an eccentric, and it is that aura makes his Music Hall Of Williamsburg show so “particular”. He is like a causal genius; wearing a Wall Street suit, thick-rimmed glasses, and uncoiled hair. His area of intellectual/ lyrical expertise is the guitar, the quirks of the human soul, and, probably, climate change.
If you read my reviews, I, usually, go for the random, sparkling details of an artist that makes them unique, and is what will make YOU choose to watch their uniqueness. Coulton gives off the vibe that he sees music/ his concert like a live tv show more than a concert. We are an audience, at which he has, mentally, placed the laughs and motivational thoughts that will strike us as both relatable and hilarious. Of all the artists I have seen, many have aimed for fun and thoughtful as an aura, but Coulton reaches for the nerdy intellectual: the one whom enjoys satire blended with his socially commenting music. “Your Tattoo”, “Skullcrusher Mountain”, and“Ikea” capture humanity’s easily distracted, attention span, and reveal how our attraction for shiny objects have fooled us to believe in things that are less than gold, and, more importantly, stay in situations that are far from “shining”. This message seems ancient in “repeated historical, human themes”, but it is especially important in modern times when science and historical facts are so easily tossed if not to personal liking. Hence, I enjoyed Coulton’s presence because he shows that the most insane thing you can be these days…. is intelligent. How he annunciates his lyrics and carries his body like a game-show presenter of truths such as in, “You Ruined Everything” and ““The Future Soon” displayed his genius comes from his personality.
I have always said you need to be smart to be witty because, in humor, we find the spiritual connections to turn tears into laughs. It appears that Aimee Mann feels the same, and her duets with Coulton were highlights of the night. “All This Time” and “Pictures Of Cats” were sweetly, tender renditions of the boredom and blissfulness of human connection. From cats to lovers, how we associate joy and care with each other can be telling of both our intelligence and our mindfulness. Part of what makes Coulton an inadvertent intellectual is that, lyrically, he is aware of life and the unnecessary discrepancies and desired dazzles we all face in our day to day. With a voice that feels like it lays on the couch and scrolls through notes like channels, his harmonies with the angelic Aimee Mann made me want to get a full album from the duo. Hopefully, their great tour leads to a great, joint record. For More Information On Jonathan Coulton Click Here.
