BY TIM HINELY

When I mentioned on my Facebook page that I was going to this gig it enticed many opinions on the Hope vs. Kendra battle (i.e.: one that doesn't exist).  Kendra being Kendra Smith, David Roback's partner in Opal. When Smith left Opal mid-tour in the early ‘90s Roback got an able replacement in unknown Hope Sandoval. Through 3 records Mazzy Star's own brand of narcoleptic, hazy pop won them a legions of dedicated fans before eventually calling it a day after the release of 1996's Among My Swan.  

Five years later Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions appeared with their debut record Bavarian Fruit Bread which they toured for in the summer of 2002. Now, in 2009, with Sandoval having not toured in 7 years it was obvious the fans were hungry for more as this sold out show proved.

Sauntering on stage 30 minutes late at 10:30 pm, the band was, as always, bathed in darkness with what appeared to be a single light illuminating them and no between song banter (though Hope did at one point ask for more guitar in a monitor).  They opened with what I think was the first single off their new record, "Blanchard" (I haven't heard the record yet) and then sifted comfortably through a mix of tunes from their 2 full-length records.  One of the highlights was the hypnotic "Suzanne" from the debut record, which sounded lush and lovely while the songs I didn't recognize (I'll assume the new ones) marched to a very similar beat, of which a few were gems (like the aforementioned "Blanchard").  

The band seemed tight and expansive at the same time and it was so dark on stage that I couldn't even tell if the drummer was My Bloody Valentine's Colm Ciosiog (who has been Hope's creative partner in the Warm Inventions) but the respectful audience just seemed appreciative that Hope and Co. have hit the road again. Let's hope the next tour isn't another 7 years from now.