After hearing Sunset Rubdown’s third full-length album, Dragonslayer I couldn’t help but anticipate their arrival to Bloomington.

I saw them when they played at The Bluebird back in September, and although that was amazing, their was something even more fierce, emotional, and put together about their set on Thursday night.

Sunset Rubdown frontman Spencer Krug at The Bluebird.  September ‘08.

Straightforward pop trio, Witchies started off the night with a fun and likable set. Also from Canada and sonically similar to Sunset Rubdown, they were a perfect fit for openers.

They experienced some technical difficulties but they didn’t let it deter them from having a good time. It was the last night of their US tour, and they told the audience that theywere having so much fun that they didn’t want to go home. It’s always great to feel like a band really wants to be there with you, sharing the experience.

Elfin Saddle played next and brought a much darker and stranger sound to the night. The band was very multi-talented, playing everything from the upright bass to the singing saw.

They reminded me of Beirut a bit in that it was gypsy-like, world music. Elfin Saddle was much more melancholic however, and they kind of made me feel like I was at a funeral. Despite some of my adverse feelings towards their music, they were really great musicians.

Not long after, Sunset Rubdown took the stage, opening with the emotionally driven song, “The Empty Threats Of Little Lord” off their first album, Shut Up I Am Dreaming followed by “Idiot Heart” off Dragonslayer.

Spencer Krug was also a lot more talkative than the last time I saw him perform and even apologized to a couple of people from his record label for being an asshole, which was pretty funny.

“The Mending of the Gown” and “Silver Moons” were played, as well as “Paper Lace”, which Krug deemed a cover song, although its from his other band, Swan Lake and appears on Dragonslayer. I was kind of hoping for some David Bowie or Nirvana, but Paper Lace was still incredible live.

Shortly after Spencer Krug apologized for having a cold, they encored with “Us Ones In Between”. This piano driven tune was incredibly beautiful and it was hard to believe that Krug was even sick, for he and his band put on such an amazing performance.

I’m not sure if Sunset Rubdown was more put together as band or if their new album just really struck a chord in my heart, but seeing them this time around was phenomenal. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving their potent poetry and catchy hooks.

-Katie McKenna