My two favorite bands to see live are The Rural Alberta Advantage and Kittens Ablaze. In fact, I’ve seen both of them several times – never missed a New York City RAA show to be exact. When I found out they were playing together at the Bowery Ballroom, it was like hitting the Mega Millions…minus the great big cardboard check, of course.

Brooklyn’s Kittens Ablaze took the stage right before 10pm and blew the crowd away – they always do.  Made up of an eclectic group of musicians that include a cellist, violinist, guitarist, bassists and drummer, Kittens Ablaze put on a show that left the audience talking for days. They played selections from their January 2009 album The Monstrous Vangaurd, and, i believe, a couple songs from their 2007 self-titled EP, too.

Musically and visually, Kittens Albaze never disappoint, and to see them on the Bowery Ballroom stage was more than appropriate – their time has clearly come. Before their set was complete, lead vocalist and drummer, Tim Spellman, stepped out from the behind his drum set and picked up a guitar; he stood front and center as if leading Kittens Ablaze into greatness…I’d say that’s exactly where this group is headed.

I came across “In the Summertime” by The Rural Alberta Advantage by accident last December, and instantly fell in love: “When we’re middle aged/You’ll tell me I loved you like a renegade/And how I say the things that make you sway/And mostly I tell you, you did the same.” Their entire album, Hometowns, is comprised of songs that are an ode to the band’s humble beginnings in Alberta, Canada; a candid depiction of boredom, love, and the beauty of growing up in the sticks.

There is sweet agony in lead singer Nils Edenloff’s voice, and with Amy Cole providing the melody, the combination is intoxicating. As with every show they play, Edenloff provided quirky bits of information about their beloved Canada, and while their new found success is taking them far from home, it’s obvious with each song where the hearts of this trio truly reside: Alberta. As a fun bonus, RAA usually does a cover of a song you’d never expect, this time the audience was treated to “SOS” by Sweden’s most famous export, ABBA – a great choice.

Whereas Kittens Ablaze will be in town through CMJ, The Rural Alberta Advantage headed onto play shows in New England, and will end up back in Toronto by November. Kittens Ablaze are in the midst of planning some west coast dates for November and according to Spellman, they’ll be hitting up Minneapolis, Chicago, Madison, Detroit, and Columbus…as well as a few other locations.

Filed Under:
New York

One Response to “The Rural Alberta Advantage, Kittens Ablaze @ The Bowery Ballroom, NY – October 7, 2009”

1. Janos Marton says:

   October 12, 2009 at 12:31 pm

   The song where Spellman played guitar is gonna be on their follow up album. More greatness to come…