Pitchfork writers seem to like to cite albums by the Dismemberment Plan as "survival guides for your twenties", which is true. The songs of the Dismemberment Plan are so achingly personal and relatable, that they are a shoulder to cry on for those post-college years. But Pitchfork's declaration seems a bit of an understatement considering the sheer amount of different people who find solace in the Dismemberment Plan. I haven't reached twenty yet, but Travis Morrison's lyrics still identify considerably with me.
This theory was further proved at the Plan's kick-off to their tour show at Terminal 5 last Friday night. A good amount of people were men and women well into their forties and fifties who looked they had just got off work. But there was also a lot of young adults, twenty year olds in skinny jeans and Japandroids t-shirts. I was of the minority along with my friend India, with the two x's on either hand.
After an energetic opening set by Austin band Wild Cub, the Dismemberment Plan quietly walked out in the dark and picked up their instruments. Morrison walked up to the mic and said, "hello, we're the Dismemberment Plan from Washington D.C.-", turning to look at drummer, Joe Easly, said "hold on, we're not ready". Bassist Eric Axelson took his place at Morrison's keyboard, and guitarist Jason Caddell at his own (these three band members are famous for constantly switching instruments at shows), and they launched into "Invisible" from Uncanney Valley.
Some of the audience members were singing and dancing along to "Invisible", but not as much as they did to songs played later. But when the guitar line from Change's "Time Bomb" rang out, the young man of Asian descent next to me screamed and started dancing similar to Ian Curtis. And rightfully so, "Time Bomb" is one of the Plan's best songs, possibly with the highest energy. Also played from Change, was "The Face of the Earth" which sounded fantastic. "Ellen and Ben" started some slow dancing among the mosh pit that formed behind us. And "Following Through" got the most audience singing for a song from Change, and I screamed myself hoarse to the chorus of "I can do with anyone at anytime, don't you forget this is my life and it's gonna be good!"
Audience participation got better as the night continues. Moshpits broke out during "Do the Standing Still", "White Collar White Trash" and somehow "Daddy Was a Real Good Dancer" (luckily, India escaped, when I didn't). The audience sang along word for word to "You Are Invited", even though Morrison simply talks throughout, but hey, who cares? "What Do You Want Me to Say?" got the most audience members jumping up and down. Everyone "wave[d] hello" during "A Life of Possibilities"'s "you kind of put your hand up, wave hello" lyric.
It was nice to see the audience enjoying new songs as well as classic ones. We screamed along to the call and response portion of "Let's Just Go to the Dogs Tonight" and "No One's Saying Nothing" made me reevaluate my opinion of the album version. "Lookin'" offered a nice change of pace during the encore after a storming version of "Ok Joke's Over" ("I don't care but I'm interested", "you're in the 70s, I'm in the 90s bitch!", were some of Morrison's ad-libs). "Mexico City Christmas" and "Waiting" kicked ass. But of course, "The Ice of Boston" got the largest response, with Morrison inviting the audience onstage. As I jumped over the fence trying to get to the stage, I was head butted and kicked straight in the chest by fans with similar intentions.
However, the two perfect moments of the show was when the band performed "Spider in the Snow" and "The City". Those two songs that I would always listen to on the subway ride home. My heart started racing when the synth of "Spider in the Snow" began, and I sang to every word of it. I had the same reaction when those guitar notes were struck at the beginning of "The City". The loudest the sing alongs ever got was during the bridge of "all... I... ever... say... know... is... GOODBYYYYYEEEEEE!" It was a beautiful moment.
During the first chorus of "The City" I stepped on the foot of the woman next to me, and she turned around, maybe with the intention of saying something. But we made eye contact as we were both singing the chorus, smiles were exchanged, and we turned back to watch an amazing band play an amazing show. So yeah, the Plan has touched a lot of people. And thank god for that.
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