Seattle – MS MR are truly endearing on stage. While it’s been quite some time since the New York duo’s debut full-length album, Secondhand Rapture, was released (it came out in May) and the band has played countless sold out shows, they emit modesty and brazen appreciation for the support (totally deserved) that crowds across the country and world are giving them. Their show at Seattle’s Crocodile on October 24 was one of the finest displays of the musical power of such humility. This was not the first time the band played the Crocodile; they appeared happy to return rather than bored by any venue or scene repetition.

It was sold-out, naturally, and vocalist Lizzy Plapinger (struggling at times to sing through a wide smile) seemed to take that as a personal challenge to play to the best show she possible could – as if she owed it to us. If this was the best the band could do, they should be pretty proud of themselves. Some of the finest moments of the night came with vocal silences; Plapinger (displaying keen musicality) stood beside bandmate Hershenow on the keys for some of the songs, including “Strings.” During these seemingly more “silent” moments, the crowd welcomed the hush and seemed to fall almost into an adoring stupor. We were quickly drawn out of it, however, by the band’s single “Hurricane.” The mesmerized glaze quickly turned into a more visible energy. Even then, however, this was definitely a show where people seemed to be enjoying the music very personally rather than with each other.

With only one full-length album to their name, we got to hear most of the lauded LP’s tracks but not necessarily verbatim of the recorded sounds.  MS MR played with spontaneity and seemed to be having fun with their own sound and dynamic as a pair. It was unclear whether off-script moments were pre-planned or if they just fell into them; regardless it felt like a night made just for us and just for Seattle. 

I’ll be candid; what made this show particularly impressive was that before seeing MS MR I didn’t actually like them that much. Secondhand Rapture was good, but I didn’t necessarily see the individuality in it. It speaks plentiful, then, that this band – like a quality expository essay – is able to convince the uncertain so full of their worth during a single set. The band continues their US tour; check out their upcoming U.S and European tour dates; while you’re at it, definitely make sure to listen to Secondhand Rapture here.

Photos By Kirk Stauffer