Allen Stone @ SOBs: Show Review [Kinda]

by Rembert Browne

[Editors Note: We somehow stole ridiculous writer Rembert Browne away from his Grantland duties as well as his hugely popular personal blog 500DaysaSunder AND Grad school deadlines for a quick kinda review of the Sept 28th Allen Stone show at SOBs. See what he had to say about what some other people had to say about the show...just read it]

In the days leading up to September 28th, I was behaving perfectly. I had been tipped off about some guy named Allen Stone a month or so in advance, got completely hooked, and proceeded to do my part in telling all of my friends to show up to his big NYC show at SOBs on September 28th.

I arrived a little late, but was thrilled to see the bar section of SOBs looking like a “whos who” of my gchat list. Not only was I going to finally see the guy sing the songs I’d been looping on YouTube for weeks, but I got to share it with my closest friends.

About 30 minutes into the opening act, I ask a friend if he could check the score of the Braves/Cardinals game. You see, I’m from Atlanta, it was the last game of the season, and depending on how the Braves did, they were either in or out of the playoffs (code for me being in or out of rehab). Back to the concert, and he is telling me that it’s a tie game, late in the game. I immediately realize I’m in a crossroads, but don’t freak out because I truly think I can have it all. The opener is still going on, and if there are 20ish minutes left in the game, I can run and go catch it, hopefully celebrate over a beer with the bartender as the Braves make the playoffs, then return to watch Allen sing is dirty blonde locks off.

Long story short, the game ends up going 13 innings, the Braves end up losing and don’t make the playoffs, and the loss took so long, I missed the entire concert. Easily one of my worst evenings in NYC.

The next day, I woke up to slew of emails about how epic the Allen Stone set was. Like, shockingly epic. Instead of ignoring them, the masochist in me decided to email three of my more musically knowledgeable friends that were present for the show and ask them their reactions of the set. Some of my favorite answers.

How familiar were you with Allen Stone before the show?

*I had seen the “Unaware” video and listened to his first album on Grooveshark… Shit was bananas
*Got hip to him about a week before the show, that video for “Unaware”.

Why did you go?

*Because someone that smooth is always better live.
*Like most singers, you gotta see if they’re as good in person as they are on your screen or through your headphones. Besides, in case he blows up, you want to be able to say you saw him back when he was playing the small venues like SOBs.

What was your favorite moment?

*His cover of “Is this love”
*Seeing him sing “Unaware” live just as good as I did in his video was a sight. I didn’t want his most popular song to be the standout moment but it was. Also, the song he performed after “Unaware”, “Satisfaction” was incredibly dope.

Do the obnoxious “He’s a mix of _______ and ________ and a splash of ______” thing. Who would you put in the blanks? (use as many or as few ____ as you’d like.)

*Adele, Stevie Wonder, Kyle Lemle.
*Van Hunt and Lenny Kravitz, you can also throw in some Robert Randolph and the Family Band. A lot of folks are going to say Stone is soulful, which is true, but there’s some elements of Rock and Funk that remind me of Lenny and Randolph. Van Hunt was a flash in the pan who was way too under appreciated, but I mention him because his song writing was on point and Stone definitely has those chops.

How do you feel about his look? Into it? Not into it?

*LENSCRAFTERS SWAG. LOOKS LIKE A LUMBERJACK AND PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN. I DIG IT.
*You know, he looks like Seattle. He has that Pacific Northwest swag to him. I dug this, as I feel like he didn’t get dressed for the gig, but more so like he got dressed that day and had a gig. His style is unremarkable, but that’s kind of what it feels like he wants it to be.

What was your reaction to it post show?

*Top three best live show of all time. 
*Impressed.

Did you get a chance to meet/talk to him? if so, how was it.

*I did. It was an out of body experience.
*Dude doesn’t know how dope he is yet. It it amazing. He’s cool as hell. Firm handshake. Humble. Friended him on Facebook.

Any final comments?

*Accepted my friend request. In ten minutes. I hope the buzz doesn’t die. Dude is the truth and this is just the beginning. 
*I was impressed but not blown away, and I’m rooting for him to win, but on what level I don’t know. 

There isn’t an event that will allow me to miss his return to NYC and SOBs on the 9th of November. Actually, let me rephrase that. Unless I get an email that evening that contains the phrases “The Throne”, “Surprise Outkast Show”, or “Dave Chappelle Stand-Up”, I will be in attendance for my first Allen Stone show. Can’t wait.

Special thanks to Jozen Cummings, Graham Browne, and Billy Packer for the feedback and for intensifying my depression for missing this show.