Kurt Vile Lives Up to His Lo-Fi Springsteen Handle at CMW

Posted on Mar 12th 2011 5:25PM by Lonny Knapp
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Shawn Brackbill

Even though his performance Friday night in Toronto came directly before a highly anticipated acoustic set by alt-rock legend J Mascis, the jam-packed audience at the Great Hall couldn't get enough of Kurt Vile and the Violators during their Canadian Music Week performance.

As the singer packed his gear off the stage, a group of somber-looking guys couldn't believe the show was over. "Three more songs'" they shouted as Vile coiled guitar cables and tossed them into his bag.

The prolific Philadelphia native should be getting used to this type of fervent devotion. In just a few short years, he has reached the status of indie rock legend, and Friday night he proved he's worth the hype.

Vile and his band made the most of their short set, leaning heavy on songs from his recently released fourth album, including title track 'Smoke Ring for My Halo.' The band opened with 'Baby's Arm' and later turned in 'Jesus Fever' and 'On Tour.'

Vile, his long hair permanently covering his face, mumbled a few incoherent phrases between songs but for the most part let the music do the talking.

Currently, Vile is touring in support of Mascis, and clearly, the Dinosaur Jr. frontman is a major inspiration. But the love flows both ways; Mascis credits the younger artist for inspiring him to record his recent acoustic album, 'Several Shades of Why,' which Vile also guests on.

Given their bond, it was fitting that Vile sang back-up on 'Not Enough' when it came time for Mascis to perform the first single from his new disc. Seeing Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew up there belting out the lyrics, too, however, was a surprise, as his contribution to 'Several Shades of Why' is perhaps lesser known.

Critics describe Kurt Vile as a low-fi Springsteen, and the crowd at the Great Hall were thankful that he doesn't shy away from that comparison. To close the night, he and the Violators dropped an inspired cover of the Boss' 'Downbound Train.'