Breaking: Goose Kills Fox
Night one of three at the Fox in Atlanta leave fans excited for more after going deep in both sets
After a single-day break following their throwdown in Raleigh, Goose pulled up to the Fox Theater last night for another well-crafted, one-of-a-kind show which kicked off a three-night run. The historic and beautiful theater holds nearly 5,000 and provided a change of scenery from the recent outdoor shows.
What not to miss:
All I Need > I’m Alright > Make the Move
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
The band kicked things off with Butterflies (to me, the song sounds like a Smashing Pumpkins song, I ain’t mad at it) and California Magic before Rick plunked out the notes to All I Need which would kick off a memorable series of songs and improvisation. All I Need sank into what I can best describe as a plinko-sounding jam (for those who remember the sound of earlier 3.0 Phish jams). The lighting became indirect, much like the second part of Borne from Cleveland last week. The jam—somewhat mellow—changed quickly when Rick got that crazy look in his eyes and glanced at Cotter. Rick turned back towards the crowd with a snarling guitar lick for a few measures before settling the jam back down into a more ambient space again. The guitar came back ferociously again, with the band alternating between the two sounds. Then, slowly, the jam built up to a blissful peak before finding their way into I’m Alright.
I’m Alright featured a jam continuing what was started in All I Need with the quintet alternating between dark type-II jamming and hot shredding before again moving to another cover with Make the Move.
The set was closed out with all three Jive songs which, between the three, contained just about everything a Goose fan could ask for. What most sticks out to me was Peter slapping his clav and kicking it over to his organ as Rick hit up his wah pedal and, of course, soaring rock guitar leads throughout.
The band came back after setbreak for a much-welcomed Labyrinth and fiery So Ready featuring a particularly raw guitar lead from Peter. One would be wrong to assume the Mississippi Half-Step which followed would be a sort of landing pad. This unfinished rendition proved to be the highlight of the show for me. Out of the gates, Peter hopped on guitar during for a delicate start to the jam which surged to a heavy prog-rock soundscape. The vibe of the jam reminded me of the section of the 6/8 Madhuvan around the 20 minute mark (again, think Porcupine Tree). The jam continued swelling with Rick playing evermore furiously before sinking down into a more delicate interlude with cotter rolling down his toms.
Empress of Organos, initially feeling like it would be a bit of a throwaway show closer morphed into what sounded like Pete Rodriguez’s I Like It Like That for a good amount of time before Rick surfaced out of the jam with some fire just before winding back into the song.
Last night’s show was a great start to what is sure to be wonderful three nights.