Review: Architecture in Helsinki at Studio B [10/12/07]

Lo-Fi Fnk opened for the Helsinki and they just went for whatever crazy aesthetic that was driving them. It was really like a stereotype exploded all over them, super short shorts, visors on sideways, and a synth drum kit. I had trouble believing this wasn't ironic, but their sincere, practically shy stage presence really had me believing they are trapped inside some kind of Fresh prince time warp. I know there are a ton of people trying to pull this off, but I really believed these guys. I haven't heard more than a 7" of their material which they played at the end of their set so I was happy.

I hadn't listened to much Architecture before going to see them at Studio B, but the things I liked on Fingers Crossed was the falsetto whispered vocals and crazy layers of percussion sounds. Like Radiohead's In Rainbows, there is so much to hear, with headphones, or without, the instrumentation is amazing, like a more organic sounding electronica project. Sadly none of that made it to the live set. I can't imagine the mixing nightmare of cables when 8 people playing multiple instruments take the stage but every other band I've seen there has been fine. Maybe the Greenpoint dance club wasn't up for the challenge this night.

I don't know how I missed they were Australian, which was obvious the minute Cameron started talking to the crowd, and he asked if anyone was Polish. A few claps. Apparently they just had a few perogies down the street before the show, and were shouting out Brooklyn neighborhoods. Anybody from Bushwick? Alright. Barely room to stand, members were swapping guitars and keyboards before the next song.

An ensemble this size is a tricky thing, it can elevate the music to something mind blowing or become a diluted sound nightmare. Architecture in Helsinki was somewhere in between, the few moments where everything connected were sparse but it wasn't for lack of musicianship, they obviously were working on this Zappa, captain Beefheart level. It just felt like there wasn't any heart in it, I was looking for the really inspired moments, it could be too early for the new album tour. It was a rehearsed show and the bass heavy sound wasn't helping the subtle-ness of their music.-

The new album has plenty of catchy tracks, and all of them were hit on including "Heart it Races" which they rocked out at the end of the set, still it didn't seem enough for anyone to stick around and even see if there would be an obligatory encore.... Studio B completely cleared out after the last note.

[Photos by Lizbeth Santos]