The Sneaky Hand and At Night at the Highland Ballroom

October 13, 2010 1 Comment

The Sneaky Hand plays amazing music. Its uninhibited, intense but nonchalant and just all around awesome. Wholesomely wicked. From its obscure and artistic take on itself and the type of music it plays, to the extroverted and hilarious nature of its lead singer Matt, the Sneaky Hand never disappoints. I say never without regret as I don’t see them ever leaving a crowd in dismay, or have a crowd wanting something else on stage. I’ve seen them twice now, interviewed them once and I am now ready to say they are one of my top 5 favorite bands in Atlanta right now. Check out their myspace and you won’t find any tracks to listen to. Try their reverbnation and you’ll notice shows from 2008 still listed. Only on their facebook will you find any information on what they’re up to, and only then they showcase just one song, Pet. I say this only to highlight the nonchalantness I mentioned earlier, and to add that I don’t find that to be of any worry. It fits perfectly as the Sneaky Hand, a band you have to see live and a band you’ll no doubt be hearing a lot about. When you do see them you won’t know whats going on until you look around and notice an entire room moving, not just you, mesmerized and entranced; probably chanting along without even realizing it, smiling so absolutely that their mouths hurt. Matt Maher is a perfect ‘lead’ man…undeniably completely comfortable with being awkward, and secretly making fun of everything he encounters I’m sure. Together, him and his band mates punch out original indie grooves that are singular and inimitable. Matt’s clever grasp of lyrical ability emerges with refreshing ease as the band bleeds bluesy guitar breakdowns over jazzy tempos with space rock overtones. Its a blend that sometimes feels spooky and prophetic with expansive guitar effects and hovering vocals, and at other times loud and unrelenting with progressive tendencies, always smooth and never dull. Its easy to say the sound is all their own…and that its damn hard to forget the affect of the Sneaky Hand. Go see them the next time you can…but we have the next best thing…