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September 28, 2005
The Walkmen
The Earl 
By Michelle Gilzenrat
Each time I see The Walkmen live, I am always surprised at what a scream-y band they are.
While on record Hamilton Leithasuer’s vocals are always fiercely crooning, the airy arrangements and lilting piano sometimes disguise the extent of power behind each track.
Hanging off the edge of the stage at The EARL, Hamilton attacked the audience with snarling force, his face distorting and reddening under the strain. To his left, guitarist Paul Maroon (one of three members formerly of Jonathan Fire*Eater ) was subdued, smirking occasionaly as he picked through haunting riffs.
In addition to fan favorites like “Wake Up” and, of course, the recent hit single “The Rat,” The Walkmen performed some new material from their upcoming release. I was already impressed with the intensity of the older songs live, but the new material’s screamo-potential was mind-blowing. It seems the days of artsy experimentalism and dark jangle are gone for this NYC group. The new tunes are composed of pure adrenaline, with Hamilton screeching at his lung's top capacity.
Sadly missing from the set tonight is their first single “We’ve Been Had” which first grabbed fans’ attention as a soundtrack for a Saturn car commercial in 2002.
Capping off the night was a delightfully ferocious cover of The Monkees’ most rockin’ tune, “Steppin’ Stone.” Despite The Monkees’ reputation as a saccharin pop group, it is an angry, bitter tune and Hamilton’s delivery was appropriately both angry and bitter. Despite ignoring most of the verses in favor of repeating the chorus over and over, the novelty of their interpretation proves truly priceless. | 
