Blinded By Library Science: Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library/Nervous But Excited

By Chelsea Spear

Club Passim, Cambridge MA
November 6, 2011

Photo © Kelly Davidson

What has 18 legs, 15 instruments, eight pairs of cat-eye glasses, and one handlebar mustache? No, it’s not the latest electronic edition of Paste or the next Diablo Cody movie, but rather the Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library.

Boston music wunderkind Michael J. Epstein has assembled a chamber ensemble to perform his opulent, melodic cache of tunes. Live performances by the MJEML take the “memorial library” concept to its logical extreme by populating the stage with eight comely lasses in red, black, white, and bifocals, shushing a talkative audience in unison and reminding their listeners that “You might get a ticket for speeding . . . but you won’t get a ticket for reading.”

All of this may sound like so much indie-pop gimmickry, but Epstein and his lovely librarians have the witty, memorable songs and lush arrangements—not to mention the sense of humor and self-awareness—to engross listeners long after the novelty would have worn off. Taking the tiny stage at folk-music mecca Club Passim, the full complement of Librarians performed an engaging set on a chilly night.

The set drew primarily from the Library’s debut album, Volume One, with some dips into Epstein’s back catalog. Most notably, “Grace Kelly”—Epstein’s portrait of movie-star worship gone wrong—has found its way back into the set after the Library’s appearance at Occupy Boston. In the other direction, a few songs I didn’t recognize from Volume One also showed up in the set. Could these be new tunes from the Library’s collaboration with Ballet Rox?

The songs from Volume One sounded even better than the records. The harmonies seemed closer, and the instrumentation even more unexpected. Even the musical elements that were common knowledge from video footage—such as the rain sticks that punctuated the Magnetic Fields-esque “Every Time I Visit You, It Rains”—took audience members by surprise.

Due to the vagaries of MBTA schedules and the ten-hour day I’d scheduled for the next day, I had to leave the Library before closing time. Their live show was invigorating and endearing, and I cannot wait to check out their back pages soon.

Nervous But Excited, a folk duo from Michigan, opened the show. Given the band’s specious name and the Bieber-esque coif on one of the ladies, I had them pegged as glossy, boring, and ready for Grey’s Anatomy before they even played a note. And, well, you know what they say when you assume something. Yes, the polished melodies and pointed couplets are ready for prime time, but they matched the Library for self-awareness, humor, and expansive sound. Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver complemented their sparse melodies with tiny instruments and unusual lyrical perspectives, and their southern-tinged vocals and chiming harmonies allowed their songs to fly. Fans of Ray LaMontaigne and Zee Avi would find much to enjoy in their music, and prime time would be lucky to have them.

For more on both groups, check out their respective websites here: The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library and Nervous But Excited.