Nadine @ Frederick’s Music Lounge 11/13/01

It came as no surprise to anyone going to see Yellow at Frederick’s Music Lounge on Tuesday that it was actually Nadine that was taking the stage for, if memory serves, one of their first gigs since the brief opening set for Richard Thompson in June.

The nice crowd, which consisted of band friends, knowing music scene vultures and clever internet-savvy fans that were able to take the hint on the band’s official site, was treated to two delightful sets of all-to-secret rock and roll.

Things have changed in the Nadine camp since we last saw them.

Drummer Todd Schnitzer is now out and the band appears to be experimenting with their line-up. Tuesday’s show seemed like a rehearsal, with a drummer named Jill and keyboard played named John sitting in with the band.

Both fit in very well, whether or not they are officially part of the new Nadine.

The first, or shall we say sober set, consisted of ten numbers from the most recent Nadine albums, Downtown, Saturday and Lit Up From the Inside. “Ready to Go” and “When I Was A Boy” began the night, with incredible, Wurlitzer-enhanced versions of “Hope Like the Rain” and “End of the Night” following. Before taking a break for a drink (or two, or three), they played their finest song in “Just Couldn’t Lie.” The soaring chorus propelled the song to greatness and showed just how vital Nadine can be.

For the second set, leader Adam Reichman took the stage alone to begin “Still Be There,” with bassist Anne Tkasch (from the underrated Hazeldine) and guitarist Steve Rauner gradually joining in. Promptly, the five-piece launched into eight new songs that grazed in familiar Nadine territory, but confirmed all suspicions that the upcoming album will be a stormer. Barring the keyboards, there’s nothing different about great new songs like “Chicago” and “Got A Feeling.” “Shining On You” and “Fools” are also strong and will hopefully bolster a successful next year for this deserving band.

To make a long story short, Nadine was brilliant, although they only hinted at what they are capable of.

Along with Centro-matic, they are a traditional rock band that has begun to explore subtle experimental approaches in their production. In terms of approach, they have potential to be as exciting as Mercury Rev, Sparklehorse and the Flaming Lips, who have combined today’s technology with elements of the past in order to make sense of the present.

Things are just starting to get interesting, and you’d be a fool to miss it.