Cursive – an intimate concert

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he tour bus sat outside the front of the Loving Touch, an unmistakable presence parked on Woodward Avenue. All the while the sold out line wrapped around the Ferndale, Michigan alley; the line itself was abuzz with mixed excitement, anticipation, and a dash of speculation for what the format of the show might be.

The tour was, after all, a celebration concert event for the reissue of Cursive’s decade old breakthrough album, The Ugly Organ.

See Through Dresses opened the show – a young group with fresh adolescence energy. There was a certain vibrancy to them as they slowly metered their music before finally rocking out with a climax of energy. Broken strings and a flurry of drums later they left the more veteran crowd anxious and in the proper state of youthful nostalgia.

Dylan Ryan Sand took the stage next. The music was lead by a forceful drum beat. Pure talent behind the drums, Dylan Ryan become the heartbeat of the crowd. The almost rock fused jazz sound was a captivating precursor to the musical muse Tim Kasher, that would follow.

Over 10 years have passed since Cursive played with a cellist. But the reissue of The Ugly Organ, the last release with cellist Gretta Cohn, has changed that as the band is once again touring with a cellist accompaniment. The 6-piece took the tiny stage at the Loving Touch to an eager crowd.

The concert was a mash up of songs from their 2003 album, The Ugly Organ, and other popular tracks laid on more recent works. One of the highlights of the night was Tim Kasher, who’s lyrical story telling is even better in person as the emotion in each sung word is visibly worn.

Overall, the sound is absolutely rich and full; Cursive’s intimate concert allows for a truly audible delight that can only be experienced fully in person. It inspires future reliving of the concert through needle and LP.