Bumbershoot Review: Elvis Perkins in Dearland: So Much Better in the Flesh

Chris Kornelis

Elvis Perkins in Dearland played Bumbershoot on Sept. 5.

Admitting this could be scene suicide, but before tonight I wasn't very impressed with Elvis Perkins' albums. Which is also how I felt about Langhorne Slim before I saw him live. But just as with Langhorne, seeing Perkins sing in person made me into a believer. He really is a great songwriter, and I wish his recorded presence did his skills justice. The band played a few new songs from an upcoming EP, Perkins played the harmonica Neil Young-style in his brown felt hat, and Jonnie Russell (of Cold War Kids) got up onstage and joined in on occasion. After that, I'll have to revisit that Elvis Perkins in Dearland album. Obviously, I missed something the first few times around.

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