Do Make Say Think Final Fantasy Harbourfront July 1, 2007

Take two in Harbourfront's 2007 experiment in indie cool fared much better than their first attempt. Apparently gone, was the 7 p.m., 90 decibel restriction that organizers had instituted for previous shows. It's not likely that such a limitation would have hindered Do Make Say Think at any rate, as they had their full 10-plus membered band in attendance.

With two drummers, and string and horn sections, it's not likely that DMST are making much money at this point, but that hasn't deterred them from sticking together for twelve years. Their experience as a band was evident in every song they threw out on this Canada Day, their tracks ranging from jazz-influenced jams to blissed-out guitar onslaughts. Do Make is one of the few bands that's able to make the case that music doesn't need lyrics to be engaging. If the drunk and dancing fifty-year-old in front of me was any indication, DMST got themselves a rare chance to break through to some age groups they might not normally be able to access.

One-man show Final Fantasy took to the stage as the sun set, and brought along an artist that ran images across an overhead projector while he created his kitschy violin pop. His solo set was a bit of a let-down after the sheer mass of Do Make Say Think, but the crowd didn't seem to mind, if only because of the inexplicable amount of stardom Owen Pallett has garnered over the last two years. While it's certainly interesting to see him work that loop pedal of his, the best parts of the performance came when DMST re-took the stage to quietly back a few tracks. Pallett was responsible for the only joke of the night, making a comment about Island residents and mixing music with indignance.

(4/5)