The new Hamilton Leithauser album is terrific. One song is better than the next, including all the bonus tracks. Hamilton is a mesmerizing performer to watch. So much stage presence, and he does amazing things with his voice -- ranging from softly singing sweet ballads to raging out hard rockers, and hitting every possible mood in between. He and his new bandmates put on a great show. His new sound isn't so far removed from the Walkmen, as to make you miss the talents that made him standout as their frontmen, yet it's distinctive enough to not feel like an imitation or extension of their sound.
"I'll Never Love Again" is my fave song of the year, and watching it performed live transported me. He has a very talented band behind him, including backup vocals from his wife.
He apologized for not having many songs to play, which I understand. My only minor complaint was that he only did 11 songs. At other shows, he's done a 12th "St. Mary's County," which I would have loved to heard. But when a performer gives you everything he has physically and bears his soul the way Ham did with everything song he performed at this show, it's hard to quibble.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
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