Molo Review: Kate Tucker at the Crocodile

Last Thursday I finally went to the new Crocodile (a bit late to the party) to catch an act I’ve  also been meaning to see for a long time: Kate Tucker.

The new Crocodile is a really nice space – almost too nice.  It’s so damn clean, and covered with lovely wood and fancy steel railings. This is not the place where I saw the Wrens’ lead singer climb a stack of amps and nearly hit his head on the ceiling; nor is it the place where Scott Lucas from Local H rocked a show in a gorilla suit before twenty-five enthusiastic fans. 

The other night it felt like I stepped onto the set for a show like One Tree Hill, which is fitting, considering that Kate Tucker had a song featured on that very program once. I’m not surprised Kate got that song on OTH (is that what the kids call it?), her songs of love and heartbreak, loss and hope are so well crafted they could lend credibility to any melodramatic moment on such a program.  Despite the inevitable hipster backlash from such an endeavor (will they ever forgive Modest Mouse for that car commercial?), Kate Tucker still writes a great song. 

Read the full review after the jump.

The performance at the Croc showcased the mature, lovely, tight sound from the new album, White Horses, lushly fleshed out by a full backing band of Blake Wescott (guitars), Ed O’Brien (bass), Johanna Cranitch (keys/vocals), and a drummer I only heard referred to as “Alex.” The show was a CD release celebration for White Horses and homecoming of sorts – as local girl Kate has been off traveling for some time but is back in Seattle. 

After the show, I had a chance to give the new album a thorough listen. In songs like the standout “Carry The Weight (I wanted you)” there’s a sense of sadness and loss conveyed with quiet moments building to dramatic climax. Kate is at her best when she sings with a breathy falsetto, which sounds a bit like a higher-pitched version of Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star). The melody of “To Feel Alive” perfectly matches the mood, creating an environment for Kate’s vocals to swim in.  Less appealing are tracks like “Stained Glass,” which falls too easily into a standard alt-country zone with some heavy metaphors and a little unnecessary organ. 

After seeing the performance and listening to the album, I have one nagging question – why isn’t this band famous yet? With the release of White Horses I would not be surprised to see that all change very soon.

Performance at the Crocodile:  4 Molos
Kate Tucker White Horses 3.5 Molos

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