If it were possible to hear color, pastels would soundtrack Alvvays: unassuming, pleasant, safe. With no deviation from the gentle, syrupy sound of last year’s eponymous debut, the Toronto fivepiece’s sleepy 40 minutes on the main stage felt a whole lot like sitting at home playing their album all the way through.
Frontwoman Molly Rankin’s arrestingly ethereal voice floated above the music, establishing a distance between herself and the audience. Both singer and band held firm grip on their breezy pop – maybe too tight. Stage patter between songs revealed excited and likable personalities, but that exuberance dropped off every time they launched into another number, a bizarre lack of energy for such cheerful music.
On set standout “Party Police,” Rankin pleaded, “You don’t have to leave, you could just stay here with me,” and offered, “We could find comfort in debauchery.” During “Ones Who Love You,” she contemplated being struck by lightning while riding her bike and the aftermath. Both “Dives” and “Adult Diversion” detailed lonely longing, while closer “Archie, Marry Me,” reminded everyone that Alvvays released one of the best singles of 2014.
To be fair, the band’s restraint isn’t surprising. Alvvays’ limited catalog is consistently clean and tight. Rankin never falters, even when she’s relaying personal narratives.
Still, shows are for loosening up, a showcase for bands to be playful. A voice crack, questionable dance moves, and other quirks flesh out a band’s personality. None happened at Fun Fun Fun during Alvvays.
This article appears in November 6 • 2015.