I should have carried a notepad with me to Black Moth Super Rainbow’s show at the Red Mile Round Barn. Not so much to write down observations of their performance (no one moved more than a foot and no one spoke), but more to remember every reason my mind was blown. I do, however, know how that list would start.

Reason #1: there was a fairly large crowd for a really, really weird band.

I hate to sound all “I was on the bandwagon earlier,” but I had no idea BMSR inspired this much of a fanbase in mid-sized towns, but it was a pleasant surprise. Not only that, but a lot of people seemed way more knowledgeable about BMSR than I am. Totally awesome. I think BMSR were happily surprised as well. People were cheering wildly at the start of a few “hits,” and I saw one or two surprised grins on band members.

But the sound Black Moth Super Rainbow achieve live is just fantastic. I hoped they’d be a live-leaning act (Animal Collective circa 2005) rather than a sampling-heavy act (Animal Collective circa now). Not only were they a strong live act, but they had a great sound as well. The drums on their new record (which I guess I’m willing to commit to a comparison of them and Phil Selway from Radiohead) come across as powerful and important live. I mean, the keyboards in “Born on a Day the Sun Didn’t Rise” are nice, but the drums clearly make that song. Oh, and their drummer wore a ninja mask. I feel like that’s a fairly important detail. So important, in fact, that I saved it for the bottom of this paragraph.

Black Moth Super Rainbow were a surprising treat that was exactly what Lexington needed. This town has an unfortunate condition wherein great concerts happen during the summer… but no one is here to see them. But WRFL set up all the pins by booking a young band with some good buzz among the younger (ie “not college”) crowd and BMSR knocked ‘em down with an innovative and psychedelic set. It’s the cure for what ails you, to be sure.

More photos after the break.