Show Review

Classic is...well classic. It's a T-shirt and jeans, macaroni and cheese and of course - three chords and a few beats. Most importantly, when done right classic becomes comforting. And that's the exact reason why Big Head Todd and the Monsters continue to put on a great show.

Promoting their seventh album, Rivera (their first in four years), BHTM filled the Avalon with the kind of positive infectious energy that they’ve become well known for. Playing two sets mixed with new tracks such as "Juliana" and older, established tunes like "Sister Sweetly", they kept the diverse crowd riding a wave of happy, with the kind of reckless abandon that letting go of worldly pressures allows. The final performance of "Broken Hearted Savior" was worth the entire cost of the ticket plus the 30-minute wait to get your coat.

Songwriter Todd Park Mohr (vocals, guitar), Rob Squires (bass) and Brian Nevin (drums) have created a mixture of blues and rock that allows greatness in simplicity. The fact that they are on their own label (Big Records), not only makes them more accessible to their fans but allows their music to go where it needs to go without the static interference and pressure of hype. Classic is comforting and in this day and age, BHTM's live shows are cathartic.

It's bittersweet, but it's alright.

All photos courtesy of Jay Reilly http://www.jayreilly.com/.