As NPR’s Bob Boilen pointed out, you really can’t talk about The Orwells without using the word “young”. Having generated a buzz surrounding their debut release, Remember When (2012), the baby faced teens made the collective decision to finish high school early and leave their homes in the suburbs of Chicago, hitting the road in search of rock n’ roll glory. This past Wednesday, the promising young brood rolled into Brooklyn for a sold out all-ages affair that would bring out angst ridden teenyboppers and salty old rockers alike.
After cheering on their hometown Chicago Cubs through the first few innings of World Series game seven, the group pulled themselves away from the barroom television and hit the stage with the spry sporadic energy that they have become known for. They kicked things off with their latest single “Who Put the Body In the Bayou”, a cut from their upcoming release Terrible Human Beings. The song proved to be a dark and dismal montage the of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll sung over Pixies inspired distorted guitar textures. While not a standout of the evening, the tune seemed to go over well with the somewhat stiff crowd.
Very quickly it became clear that the focus of the show would be on golden locked lead singer Mario Cuomo, as the Orwell’s rhythm guitar player was set up nearly off the side of the stage, allowing the ever unpredictable Cuomo ample space to stalk back and forth intently. Sporting a long black women’s dress, the unabashedly effeminate frontman brought to mind an adolescent Robert Plant not only in appearance, but also in his enchanted and sexually charged stage persona.
Some highlights from the fifty minute set included “In My Bed”, an instant classic from the band’s high school days, the short and punchy new track “Buddy” with Ramones style attitude and backing vocals, and the ever infectious and anthemic “Who Needs You”, which saw Cuomo crowd surfing mid verse.
The audience energy and response didn’t quite seem to be there on this particular evening however, in part due to the high number of inexperienced teenage concert goers in attendance. After mustering up a half hearted chant of “one more song”, the group obliged with a quick, single song encore, wrapping up their night in time to see the Cubs win the World Series.