Stripes and Lines brought a small symphony to Belly Up’s stage. From the left was Harley Orion on bass, Anthony Sanudo on guitar, Evan Polselli on both keys and guitar, and all the way to the right – up front, not behind – was Jeremy Moss on drums. All the members were on vocals, and so consistently that the band seemed most like a choir.
And I loved it.
Stripes and Lines is different, original, and creative. Moss, the drummer, was lead vocalist – which is an incredibly hard feat. As he solidly muscled the drums, his voice remained in perfect pitch, never wavering. Even more impressive was Polselli’s dual playing of piano and guitar. Back and forth, back and forth, he switched in between the two, all the while singing along to choruses, and even maneuvering around just enough to clap along.
The mix of chords with fantastic rolling drums and utopian piano arias was sensational. I would love to liken the band to Dave Matthews or even Coldplay, but while Stripes and Lines may be a close relative, they are not impressionists. The art they created is fresh, enjoyable and moving. Sweet, acoustically driven melodies made my heart dance, and witty lyrics amused my mental prowess. “Size Matters” has the tone of a Jack Johnson song, but beefier. Sarcastic humor is juxtaposed against a perfect harmony of rich vocals and tantalizing, bold instrumentals.
The best part about the sold out show was the band’s peaks and climaxes. They had ability to start a song then suddenly change directions – completely. One song began slow, then Moss would heighten the tempo, till halfway through, and in a flurry of vigor, every member would pound, pluck, and sing their heart out to the fullest. It resulted in breathtaking swells and dips that thrilled the senses.
Stripes and Lines is exceptional. Not very often do rock fans get to experience truly talented musicians who choose to dwell on the positive, but these guys bring it full force, leaving every fan lighter, happier, and inspired. I’m going to keep my eye on San Diego based Stripes and Lines. They’re sure to go far and I don’t want to miss the take off.