Cursive, Jan. 20, The Barbary

A few years since their last album and tour, Tim Kasher's band's set was preceded by storyteller Ramona Córdova. Strumming lurid, dreamlike chords alongside a folksy falsetto, Córdova's set comprised tales inspired by both the imaginary and real. Chatting frequently throughout his set, Córdova's performance ended with a half-finished song and a sincere "thank you."

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Cursive, Jan. 20, The Barbary

POSTED: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 7:10 PM

Filed Under: Music Show

Greeted by applause, hoots and cheers, Omaha's Cursive then took the stage, opening with The Ugly Organ's "Gentleman Caller." Kasher's swaggering bravado inspired the crowd to shout along to a lover's vengeance ("I'm not looking for a lover / All those lovers are liars / I would never lie to you"). Preceded by "Happy Inauguration Day" wishes from Kasher, Cursive's American Dream-skewering "Dorothy at Forty" gave way to the yet-to-be-released "From the Hips." Scheduled to appear on their newly recorded album Mama, I'm Swollen, the fresh track pleased the crowd with provocative, brutish lyrics and a driving tempo.

With their audience still in awe of the debut, Cursive revisited Domestica with the bitingly honest "Making Friends & Acquaintances." Next up was "Sierra," which incited echoed shouts between rockers and giddy gallery. Old fave "Sink to the Beat," featured on Burst and Bloom, was well-received, giving way to the spidery "The Recluse" and the rebellious "Rise Up, Rise Up." "Mama, I'm Satan" was blunt, cutting, and bold, with Kasher's lyrical orchestration enhanced by aggressive guitar riffage and a driving bassline. The well-worn, well-loved "A Disruption In the Normal Swing of Things" sounded out and soared.

Skipping over the traditional exit before encore move, Kasher waved around what he referred to as the "top secret" set list while fans shouted out suggestions, comments and praise. After getting down to "Art is Hard," "The Casualty," and the title track for their next album, Mama, I'm Swollen, Cursive left the stage with a rousing "A Red Handed Sleight of Hand." Smiles all around, from both the Saddle Creekers and the crowd, Cursive's uberintimate show was the ideal bookened to the bliss of Inauguration Day.

Full set list after the jump.

SET LIST

Gentleman Caller
Dorothy at Forty
From the Hips
Making Friends & Acquaintances
Sierra
Caveman
Sink to the Beat
The Recluse
Rise Up, Rise Up
Mama, I'm Satan
A Disruption in the Normal Swing of Things
Art is Hard
I Couldn't Love You
Big Bang
The Casualty
Mama, I'm Swollen
Red Handed Sleight of Hand

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