I’ve seen Grizzly Bear six times now in six very different location and they’ve yet to turn out a bad show. I’ve seen them play outdoor festivals in the hot Chicago sun, a nighttime show in front of a rock wall, and I’ve seen them do quiet shows in old converted theaters. All were completely incredible and all were very distinct. Now with the addition of the show at the Central Presbyterian Church, I think I know why they always thrive under any conditions: there’s no wrong way to experience Grizzly Bear.

Grizzly Bear’s new album Veckatimest leaked in February to near-universal acclaim. New fans were won and diehard fans were beyond satisfied. So it’s no surprise that the year’s most anticipated record would have severely shook up SXSW 2009. Grizzly Bear’s show at the church was one of the hardest to get into of the entire week. People with badges or wristbands numbered in the hundreds and many hoping to buy a ticket either gave up or waited hours to get inside. But those who did were lucky enough to attend a show that was well worth the trouble of getting into.

Until Thursday I’d never heard an audience of 400 make a noise of silent excitement (roughly written out as “…!!!” I know, it didn’t make any sense to me either until that moment. It could have been that people sat upright or a few hundred sharply drew in breath, but the opening bass line of Grizzly Bear’s new song “Cheerleader” elicited just such silent excitement from the crowd.

For many people, Grizzly Bear’s rise to a “!!!”-inducing band probably seems meteoric. Three years ago they were nobodys, but this year they’re one of the biggest bands to hit up SXSW. But Ed Droste, the original Grizzly Bear, made sure people knew that their popularity wasn’t as easily attained as it seemed. Before the third song, Ed said that the band were really enjoying SXSW this year — mostly because four years ago the only gig they got at South By was an unofficial show at a pizza parlor. I somehow doubt the line for that one stretched around the block.

Though the crowd started off reverent but enthusiastic, they eventually ditched the calm bit and really threw themselves into the show. Dan first hit the keyboard for the opening section of Veckatimest‘s first single “Two Weeks,” cheers and a even a few yells broke out. They just as quickly quieted back down in order for many people’s first chance to hear the new song performed live. “Two Weeks” is a fantastic song to hear live because it gives Ed Droste the room he needs to really sing his heart out. It’s dramatic on the new album, but it gets an extra emotional boost from hearing it live.

And of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to say that Grizzly Bear has pretty much the best rhythm section of any indie rock band today. I don’t mean necessarily that Chris Taylor can outplay any bassist or that Chris Bear can hit harder than any drummer; what I do mean is that they both provide a layered sound that I would have thought impossible to achieve outside of the studio. If the band didn’t have Taylor’s giant effects board and arsenal of instruments or Bear’s dynamic punctuations on the drum kit, it’s quite possible that I wouldn’t consider Grizzly Bear to be probably the best American band to form this decade. But they have it and I do consider them that.

Before completely letting us off the hook, Grizzly Bear trotted out a song that’s been a fan favorite for nearly two years. Their cover of the Crystal’s “He Hit Me” has grown far beyond the Phil Spector-produced original into something that’s now sad, dusty, bruised and alive. Powered by a strong bass line and even stronger vocals, it’s one of those fortunate covers to surpass the original.

After the last note was played and the last “thank you” shared, Grizzly Bear packed up their instruments and went on to their next adventure. The church, for what it’s worth, went from a filled-to-capacity fire hazard to a Friday afternoon ghost town. A couple dozen people stayed behind for whoever the next band was, but I couldn’t tell you because I wasn’t one of them. After a show that good I needed to go back to the hotel and rest.