Concert Review: Mother Mother Promote Balance At Gramercy

Control seems to be the magical unicorn every life reaches out for, but never gains because you can’t; at least not in terms of situations. There is a reason old philosophers conclude the best thing you can do is control yourself and your reactions to life. While this is wise advice, it is not what most of us seek, but Mother Mother used it as sonic comfort for their Gramercy Theatre crowd.

At times, indie rock is described as classic rock’s younger, softer brother; aiming at expressing feelings more than combusting them. Yet, tracks like, “I Might Cry Out Loud,” “It’s Alright,” “Dance And Cry,” and “Let’s Fall In Love” BEAUTIFULLY set up that expressing how you feel is like an explosion. Finally, saying you are going to “Get Up” after someone left you “So Down,” is like a galaxy being born again, which is why their melodies could go from folkish, “Dirty Town,” to blazing, “Hayloft.” They sing to not making tears and devastation your natural or only choice to suffering; instead making resilience and hope for something better an option, as well. UGH! LOVE IT!  Such optimism is oddly revolutionary because it presents resolution to problems, of which the band spoke  about inner balance/peace being the ultimate resolve. 

From “ The Drugs” or “Bottom Is A Rock”  to a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” Mother Mother do not avoid that life sucks and you will feel even suckier, but they use their lyrics like a path to figuring out how you are going to stay in this world, and not live your entire life as if it is a burden. Thus, it was no wonder they were sold out. Ryan Guldemond might as well be the physical incarnation of lightning. He zaps the stage with his bright, personal energy that invites people to always choose to feel alive over feeling anxious, which for many of us feels like a daily choice. He smiles and comes forward to the audience as if to say, “Are you going to have a good time or what?,” of which Molly and Jasmin’s harmonizing voices feel like fleeced mellowness backing him up to say, “Well are you?” 

Concerts really are something to observe, and, at times, you catch the weight of their importance. No one goes to a Mother Mother concert or becomes their fans without wanting to feel better because most of their songs sing to that desire. Thus, I found it moving to see, in this world, a packed venue of people that want BETTER, and were willing to control themselves enough to get it. Yet, remember again, self-control is also deciding that seeking joy in the face of valid sadness is as much a legitimate option than crying. For More Information On Mother Mother Click Here.