Anyone who braved the monsoon on Sunday night to catch the Albert Hammond Jr. show at The Parish was rewarded with the kind of concert that reaffirms why we listen to this music in the first place. The intimate space with the incredible acoustics proved to be the perfect venue for Hammond’s world-class talent, and left everyone feeling like they’d witnessed something that they’d remember for a long time.

The night started with The Dead Trees, a quartet from Boston that looked right at home on the stage. With opening acts, you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get, but these guys welcomed the soggy crowd with a powerful set. I hadn’t taken the time to preview their tunes before leaving for the show, but was rather impressed with their work. Their Boston roots were evident throughout the show, with traces of Aerosmith laced with a certain Stones-ish quality. Give ‘em a listen here

After the stage was broken down (and the ceiling-mounted speakers were covered with tarps to save them from the numerous leaks), Albert Hammond Jr. took over, taking us on a tour-de-force through his new CD “Yours to Keep” and even treating us to a cover of The Cars’ Don’t Cha Stop. What set this concert apart from your everyday indie show was the obvious star quality of Hammond (one of two guitarists for The Strokes in his day job), whose Buddy Holly-esque guitar riffs and on-stage theatrics resonated throughout the room. Regular band-member Josh Lettanzi held down the bass, but touring member Steve Schiltz acted as Hammond’s Nick Valensi stand-in and nearly stole the show with his intoxicating lead guitar play.

After the set was through and all songs from the CD had been played, the giddy crowd begged Hammond for one more song, and he obliged us with a song that he called “very raw”. Sensing the moment that was to come, my lady whipped out her camera and made a crude video of what we’ll just have to call Frustrations until it gets a working title. Check it out: