Mount Moriah, Bombadil, Loamlands, Daniel Bachmann
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Friday, Feb. 14
On Friday night, N.C. State University radio station WKNC’s bold bookings of popular bands for its 11th annual Double Barrel Benefit paid off for both the station and the artists. With over 600 people crammed into Lincoln Theatre, there was a diverse cross-section of listeners, including many who were years—if not decades—removed from their college years, but still appreciated WKNC’s broadcasts at 88.1 on the FM dial. Bombadil drummer James Phillips was one of them.
Midway through his band’s set, Phillips told the story of how he met the rest of the members after hearing “Jellybean Wine” (from Bombadil’s self-titled debut EP, recorded before Phillips joined) while listening to 88.1 at work. Switching off between keys, bass, ukulele, drums and a bit of harmonica, the usually playful trio—fourth member Bryan Rahija is off at the University of Michigan’s business school—stuck mostly to the starker, more piano-driven fare of their two most recent albums, such as the graceful “Have Me” from last year’s Metrics of Affection. This highlighted the band’s offbeat songwriting and terrific vocal harmonies. The latter were on display during an a cappella arrangement of “Get to Getting On” during which the crowd was surprisingly attentive.
That didn’t keep Bombadil from dipping into its back catalog for bursts of energy such as “Cavaliers (Har Hum)” and “A Buzz, A Buzz,” with Stuart Robinson leaping around his piano or jumping from the drum riser while plucking his uke. At times, it was clear that layers were missing. “A Question,” an obvious choice for Valentine’s Day, lacked electric guitar counterpoint to give punch to Robinson’s ukulele. Lineup limits perhaps explained the absence of any selections from the group’s best and most lush record, Tarpits and Canyonlands. They also performed a new song that implied that there wouldn’t be much departure from their familiar sound on the record they’re about to start recording.
