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Music You Should Hear pt. 1

Last night I saw The Alternate Routes at Park Tavern in Atlanta. This was my second Alternate Routes show and I must say, I was more impressed this time.

My first A.R. show was in the middle of winter a few years ago. They played before Everclear at The Loft in mid February. It was freezing outside, steaming inside, and the acoustics were horrible. But the concert was memorable enough to cement The Alternate Routes as one of my favorite bands from first listen.

If the setting for the first concert was bad, then last night was lovely. Park Tavern boasts an outdoor stage protected from the elements by a large white canopy. From the patio area you can see the Atlanta skyline. The weather was great and the small venue wasn't overly crowded.

The Romans and Dangermuffin opened, and while both bands gave solid live performances, I don't know if I will seek out their music again.

The Alternate Routes performed a stripped down set with lead vocalist Tim Warren, Eric Donnelly on electric guitar, and Chardy McEwan guest performing on percussion. Their college/ roots rock style is well suited to these small, intimate venues but their music would work just as well in a large setting.

I was impressed by the set, but I'd never paid much attention to Donnelly before on stage. His guitar solos made him the guy to watch. I don't know that I would have noticed him as much with the larger band.

As always Warren's vocals were solid. He's a real musician, no autotune and no manipulation necessary. He's a guy you just want to listen to. But as a note, I'm not sure why he was wearing multiple layers of clothing during an outdoor concert in Atlanta in the summer.

I've never actually seen a cajon drum before (the box he's sitting on), much less observed one being played but it was an interesting experience, and Chardy made it a good experience.


The best part of the set, I would say, was the toolbox song. The use of a toolbox as a percussion instrument isn't just something I've never seen, it's something I've never thought of. Everyone in the audience was curious about the toolbox. The "toolbox song" was a winner, and honestly it sounds better live than the recording. The music great, songs were well written, well performed and worth seeing again. Two thumbs up. Though I would have liked to hear "Going Home with You"...

The Alternate Routes will be performing at Vinyl in Atlanta on October 27th. Tickets are $12. I suggest you go see them.

For more info: http://thealternateroutes.com/

For tickets: http://www.centerstage-atlanta.com/show?id=397&artist=ALTERNATE+ROUTES

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