“How’s everyone doing? Is it raining?” asked Mikal Cronin, a cool mist developing as the quintet progressed through Friday afternoon’s rocking, 11-song set. “Turn Around” commenced the 40-minute slot, the track also opening the Californian’s third solo LP, May’s MCIII.
The 29-year-old, now sans his usual mop of locks, last played locally at Austin Psych Fest in 2014. Cronin’s most recognized tune, “Weight,” from 2013’s MCII, revved the crowd with its swinging garage-pop chorus and endearingly vulnerable and universal lyrics. The 12-string guitar devotee revisited his 2011 self-titled debut with “Get Along” and “Apathy,” though newer tunes of course received the most face-time.
Midway on, the set veered from the Fifties-tinged pop of “Shout It Out” to noticeably harder garage rock via new cut “Gold,” Cronin kneeling before his pedal board to tinker tones and muster distortion. That soft/hard progression aptly illustrates the bandleader’s broad palatability in that he can easily mesh with the lysergic Carson Creek crowd as well as the harder-rocking FFF roster. The part-time Ty Segall bandmate didn’t address the crowd much or use his charisma to command control of said audience, which was attentive but lethargic amid Friday’s grey skies and sporadic drizzle.
“I’ve been waiting for the sun,” Cronin sang in closer “Change.”
That feeling Friday was wholly mutual.
This article appears in November 6 • 2015.