Chris Letterii is back...checking out the Antlers, rooftops and more...read on!

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The Antlers @ Rooftop Film Series, Friday 26th June 2009 Hello again, gentle readers -- I come bearing tidings from another show. I've been wanting to check out The Antlers for some time, especially having missed out on three great bills earlier this year which they opened (The Walkmen/Beach House, White Rabbits/Cymbals Eat Guitars and Au Revoir Simone). So when I heard tales of a $9 evening of rooftop Antlers fun, with a film screening and open bar to follow, I leapt on the next downtown D train, with nary a moment even to cop some O.E. I knew the weather forecast for Friday night was dire, but I have never been cowed by meteorological misgivings, and this night would be no different. As I popped out of the subway the sun was setting in all its scarlet splendor, and no drops fell nor did clouds loom. I was looking forward to conquering my deep-seated, irrational fear of seeing live music and a film on a roof in Manhattan. Alas, only the latter half of that phobia was to be allayed. The rooftop in question was at the Seward Park Educational Campus (350 Grand St. in Manhattan), so when the promoters were unable to set up in the rain, they were forced to move the music segment of the evening inside to the school's cavernous auditorium. The sound in the auditorium was odd; this is definitely not a space built for rock concerts, even those of the slow-building, ethereal variety. Last time, I talked about punky lo-fi bands like caUSE co-MOTION! -- the Antlers are about as far from that sound as you can get. Their songs typically begin with ambient keyboard soundscapes and emotive singing from frontman Peter Silberman, and build to throbbing, majestic climaxes with a density of sound impressive for a three-piece band. Silberman is not afraid of the falsetto -- perhaps a divisive move (see "Bear" to make your call), but I for one appreciated it, and not just for the fact that it makes my Bee Gees cover band a more acceptable hobby. He can sing up there, so why not do it? Some of the delicacy of his voice was lost in the too-heavy reverb of the auditorium, but as I got used to the sound I started to enjoy the wash of sound created by the unusual acoustics. For some reason, all of the sound seemed to be pooling somewhere in the upper corner of the room, stage left, and as each song built to its swirling peaks, that spot hummed and pulsed with energy. Odd, I know, but it was somehow comforting and relaxing. After about a half an hour, the Antlers finished up and the host announced the fantastic news that the screening was to take place on the roof. The film was called Humpday and it's about two best friends who decide to film themselves having sex. With each other. I thought it was well-made and very funny, so go on out there and see it while you're waiting for the Antlers to come back to New York (their next NY show is an album (re-)release party at Mercury Lounge on August 21st). And be sure to check out the upcoming Rooftop Film Series events -- hard to beat $9 for live music and a film screening on a roof. And it's really hard to beat when they throw in an open bar of Radeberger pilsner afterwards at Fontana's. The only way they could improve on that would be to put it in a 40-ounce bottle and a paper bag. Yessir.