The group is at its best when it lets Monahan lead while the band leans toward Brit-Pop. The song Drops of Jupiter was a perfect example and the high point of the set. If one really wanted a buzz, the place to spend some time was the side stage that offered minisets from lesser-known acts during main stage set changes. But the sideline band to catch this year was Tennessee's Dust for Life. Focusing on its self-titled debut album, singer Chris Gavin has the Alice in Chains dirge howls down perfectly.
Dust relies on giant puddles of guitar and a pelting drum drizzle for the rest.
A new song called Night Breed showed a growth toward shiny L.A. metal noise. If you have an opinion or comment, we'd like to hear it.