“Evangeline“:

The Handsome Furs finally made their way to San Francisco this week and, well…this was pretty much what the show was like – HOT! Their energy, connection, passion and performance on stage was raw and magnetic. The husband and wife duo bared it all for the audience (figuratively speaking), pouring their souls into their music and each other, feeding one another into a frenzy and into heaps on the floor several times throughout the night.

There were moments when I thought Alexi Perry was going to dive through her drum machine back into the Matrix, only to be brought back from the edge by the dashing Dan Boeckner’s embrace and kiss. For real, people! It was truly amazing and inspiring to watch two people so connected and effusive. If it wasn’t rock and roll it might have even been a little sappy. 

Oh, and I haven’t even talk about the music yet.  I love these guys and have been remiss for not featuring their new album, Face Control, on this site yet.  It’s sure to be on my top album list of 2009.  Just like their sleeper debut Plague Park was in 2007.  Face Control is definitely more upbeat and dancey, likely inspired by their romp through the clubs of Eastern Europe.  Boeckner’s straightforward rock and songwriting shine in this album. as it does in his work with Wolf Parade. I’ll take him over Spencer Krug any day.