When Molly Edler Snyder reviewed The Swell Season's show in May 2008, it was a three-hour rendition of songs from the 2006 breakthrough film "Once" and its supporting album, "The Swell Season." A year and a half later, with a brand new album entitled "Strict Joy" under its belt, tonight's show at The Pabst Theater proved that not only the duo's repertoire but its style has indeed evolved.
Although band members Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova came on stage in true "Once" form, perched closely on their knees in duet, it proved to be only one aspect of the show.
The first night of an international tour with four musicians from Hansard's other Irish band, The Frames, the show highlighted the duo's knack for striped down simplicity but also cultivated a full orchestral sound. What Hansard and Irglova alone created in "Once," was amplified with complexity by the addition of four musicians on stage.
"Strict Joy" and Hansard are built as much on the art of storytelling as on musical creativity. Tonight's show included several new songs from "Strict Joy," including "I Have Loved You Wrong," "Fantasy Man," "Somebody Good" and "High Horses."
In concert, something about The Swell Season is all-encompassing, swiftly hushing the thoughts in your head and carrying you through the joy and sorrow of a great love story. Perhaps tinged with memories of the hopeful yet desperate wanderlust Hansard depicted on film, his voice remains overtly rich and comforting.
Hansard took the stage alone to play three songs and was then rejoined by the band to play "Low Rising" from the latest album. A song about the "epiphany of coming home with an idea and being able to say it's going to be all good," it is very much the synopsis of the film "Once."
Songs from the film were still crowd favorites; gaining applause within the first few notes. The Swell Season managed to include almost all the film's songs in the set list including "Lies," "Falling Slowly," "Once," "Say It to Me Now," "Leave" and "If You Want Me."
The delicate equilibrium of the collaboration was apparent as Hansard and Irglova rotated between instruments and seats on stage. Alternating lead vocals, Irglova played both the guitar and piano while Hansard took on the guitar, piano, mandolin and harmonica. Her quiet and soft; him powerful and jovial -- the combination balanced heavy emotion with comic levity and honesty revelation with fantastic imagination.
As moving as the show itself, The Swell Season came back onstage for a satisfying encore.
Starting with "Falling Slowly," Hansard and Irglova were joined onstage by the band for a rendition of Will Oldham's "New Partner" and The Frames' "Fitzcarraldo."
Mid-encore, Hansard talked about how the band came together and in doing so, referred to Irglova as "a muse that doesn't flee but one who sits on their shoulder."
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
