Concerts

March 29, 2003
Williamsburg Publik House, Brooklyn, NY

The Aislers Set

Williamsburg Publik House, Brooklyn, NY (March 29, 2003)

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» JOHN EVERHART | CONTRIBUTOR

The Aislers Set Williamsburg Publik House, Brooklyn, NY March 29, 2003

The Aislers Set are the unlikeliest of charismatic rock bands. From singer/guitarist Amy Linton's bemused looks of frustration when something goes wrong, to bassist Alicia Vanden Heuval's ubiquitous smile, to guitarist Wyatt Cusick's stoicism (he played virtually the entire set of this show facing his amplifier), the Aislers unconventionally engage, oozing awkward charm.

Moved from North Six, one of New York's finest clubs, to an obscure venue seemingly more suited for an art opening, with its cavernous high ceilings and minimal sound system, the Aislers Set nonetheless managed to pull off an energetic set, sometimes brilliant, sometimes sloppy, but always entertaining. Kicking off with the mid-tempo "Catherine Says," the Motown-infused opening track off their new album How I Learned To Write Backwards, the band largely focused on the more upbeat numbers from their repertoire. The ebullience of Backwards tracks "Languor In The Balcony" and "Action Attraction Reaction" fit in nicely with the renditions of classic Aislers tracks from The Last Match and Terrible Things Happen.

The band encored with a frantic version of "The Red Door" from The Last Match, sounding like the Magnetic Fields on amphetamines as they plowed their way through the hyper-jangle anthem. They maintained their coy smiles and unassuming demeanors throughout the freneticism, the qualities that make their performances so irresistible.

JOHN EVERHART |