LIVE REVIEW: Rec Center album release show at New World Brewery 06.08.12
A string quintet kicks of Rec Center's set at New World Brewery in Ybor City, Fla. on June 8, 2012. | Photo by: Kelley Jackson ©
All photos by Kelley Jackson ©
New Granada’s Keith Ulrey closes his weekly show listing emails with “Disgruntled and Loving Tampa Music.” For those who’ve talked to him at all, the grumpy nature of Sir Ulrey is sometimes certainly real (topics touched upon during Friday night’s show included some pretty morbid stuff — but he did manage to keep it “positive”), but his love was what was most definitely on display during Rec Center‘s album release show at New World Brewery in Ybor City, Fla. on June 8, 2012.
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The band (for which he plays the role of drummer) was celebrating the long-overdue release of their debut LP — Tin Year — which they would play front to back, and Ulrey opened up the set by explaining some of the effort’s backstory.
He talked of it taking a decade to write and record, and he talked of wedding anniversary presents (apparently you give tin at the ten-year mark), but what was most poignant was his chatter regarding his marriage to Rec Center frontwoman Susie Ulrey. It is impossible to not feel the very real and true (the kids call it “Trill”) commitment and, yes, love that the couple share. They spent their anniversary recording for the album for Christ’s sake, and listening to Ulrey tell it, you couldn’t help but think about wanting to find a companion to spend forever with.
In a world where Katy Perrys are reciting nuptials then signing divorce papers with Russell Brands, Kanyes and Ray Js are hooking up with Kardashians, and even Thurston Moores and splitting up with Kim Gordons, everlasting and real love is hard to find. It’s never perfect (it was awesome to see Mrs. Ulrey tease the her spouse), but the evening ended up unravelling to be pretty close to flawless.
The band — which also includes Tampa music vets Michael Waksman, Brian Roberts, and Melissa Grady – executed the 13-track LP with grace, and the crowd was even treated to a string quintet on set opener “Monster In Your Heart.” “Stages” felt like a page out a diary, and “Wave To All Your Friends” found the band joined by labelmates Sleepy Vikings and King of Spain.
The show went later than most New Granada productions, but it shouldn’t have gone any other way. All the best fairy tales never end when the clock strikes twelve, and this release party and album looks to be just another chapter from one of the best stories that Tampa music fans could ever share.
Have a look at shots from Rec Center’s set below, and listen to the whole of Tin Year by following the links above. Order the thang by clicking here.
