Live music review: Feeling Alive with TOPS At Mohawk Austin

With their concise old-school rock formula, it’s tempting to label Montreal’s TOPS as a nostalgia project. But pop-rock doesn’t account for the band’s intricate layers and synth-pop negates the group’s prowess in both their instruments and songwriting. Sure, the keys pop and levitate into a lush atmosphere, but it’s a dreamy wave that invites you to dance not brood as was the case last Friday in Austin’s Red River District at The Mohawk.

Western Canada’s Tiberius B (Frank Belcourt) opened the Friday night show at The Mohawk with a half dozen anxiety-driven ballads. Taking the stage solo, Belcourt never seemed truly alone, equipped with a white strat, a flurry of power-chords, and a chaotic drum machine. “Yeah my music’s got a lot of angst,” said Belcourt. “Pandemic bro!”

TOPS then graced the stage, armed with the key ingredients for pop hits: glossy synths, a tight rhythm section, and a magnetic singer.

That singer is Jane Penny, who averages one full twirl per song and a different hand gesture for each new phrase she sings. With a hushed soprano, Penny frequently channels Julee Cruise, better known for her ballads on David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. 

It didn’t take until the second song, “Direct Sunlight”, for Penny to bust out the flute, an instrument she is classically trained in. Fluttering scales flew out over shimmering keys that would make both Jethro Tull and Lizzo fans rejoice.

“I Feel Alive” delivered the biggest sing-along chorus of the night and coaxed the crowd into singing melancholy verses like, “​​Lost nights, trying to remember/When I’m in your arms I can finally surrender.”

Guitarist David Carriere, going full dad-mode with a polo tucked into his chinos, punctuated each song with his right-hand rhythms like the three-chord jam of “Petals” and his chorus-drenched guitar progression in “Superstition Future”.

“The Hollow Sound of the Morning Chimes” then grew into a 7 minute odyssey. Like the best acts, TOPS thrives at creating space, letting Carriere’s bright, vibrating 7th chords breathe and Penny’s words fill the venue. 

Before ending their tight 60-minute set, TOPS treated the crowd to new, yet-to-be-released singles, showcasing Penny’s tender and wistful lyrics against Carriere’s chugging palm-muted guitar riffs.

TOPS transcends the banal “chill bedroom pop” playlists overrunning Spotify. They’ve got the talent, the storytelling, and an animated lead vocalist in Penny. TOPS may pay homage to the soft-rock radio era of the late 70’s/early 80’s, but groovy hooks and vintage warmth will always be in style.

For fans of TOPS, check out: No Vacation, Tennis, Caroline Rose, Alex Cameron, U.S. Girls, Ariel Pink

All photos Drew Doggett