Last night’s performance began much like every other Cloud Cult show. The pre-show music was superb, the stage was set up with two easels to accommodate the interpretive artists during the show, and the smoke machines were tested – all systems go.

The band took the stage experimenting with reverb and distortion levels, painters splashed paint, smoke machine oozed blue when married with lighting and thus began liftoff to a memorable performance at the Orpheum Stage Door….or so we thought. It was during this first song that a waify blonde reached for a water bottle on stage and began to dump (or pour) a substance into it. Immediately at the conclusion of that song, cellist Sarah Young announced they would not play one more song until the aforementioned individual was removed by theater staff. After the individual and friend were removed by security singer Craig Minowa sheepishly greeted the crowd and launched the remainder of the evening.

The Meaning of 8, Cloud Cult’s most recent and brilliant release has gotten some well deserved attention this year, though remains, at least to me, very underappreciated. Those that made the show last night were treated to a meandering combination of music that bordered on electronic and spacey, while still weaving in heavy rock instrumentation amongst string sections. Basically, the band is able to branch in different directions musically, to create a song that places them in a league of their own.

There were anthems that soared and crashed (“Chain Reaction”), and there were quiet beautiful compositions (“Pretty Voice”). “Take Your Medicine” could be one of our favorite songs of the moment, buy the album and blast that track! The band has been good to the residents of Madison, playing here a number of times over the past year, which made me a little confused by in the lack of attendance. Those that made it were treated to quite the musical and visual experience – one I hope to repeat again very soon.

Note: Please don’t spike or add things to drinks that aren’t yours, espically if the individual is expecting a child!

Buy: Strictly Discs
Myspace: Cloud Cult
Youtube: Cloud Cult – Chemicals Collide