Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 8.7.2013

Every Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men performance is like a master course in dynamics. I can’t think of a band in town that has more control over their musical bombast than this cast of characters. They can smolder and they can flare. It’s not uncommon for an all-consuming hush to be followed by a blinding shower of audible sparks. Pay attention. You won’t want to miss this.

Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men @ Brighton Music Hall 12.14.2012

Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men opened the Boston Band Crush Holiday Spectacular* with a powerful set that included their twisted and beautiful take on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. This is one of the most dynamic acts in town.

* This was the last show to be presented by Boston Band Crush, which closed up shop earlier in the week. Sad face.

Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men @ The Middle East Upstairs 9.6.2012

Do you know what I like about Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men? I like when the song starts out quiet. Maybe there’s a piano or some finger-picked guitar. Then things get a little tense. You wonder where this is going. All of a sudden there’s a brrrruuuuuuum-brrrruuuuuuum-brrrruuuuuuum-boom-thwack-boom-thwack-brrrruuuuuuum-brrrruuuuuuum-brrrruuuuuuum and you’re kind of knocked back a little from the oh-my-goodness-how-did-they-get-that-heavy wall of sound coming from the stage. It’s a neat feeling, like being 6 years old and spinning around and around until you collapse in a heap. Then you get up and do it all over again.

This was the release show for Emily’s new EP, Fine Fur Coat.