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Perhaps it would be easy to jump to the conclusion that Better Than Ezra has lost its relevance in today’s modern rock scene. The band has parted ways with Elektra, its label home for three albums, and has had less attention placed on them as they’ve aged. The band’s new album Closer and tour of the same name argues against such assumptions though, featuring songs much more relevant than the high school friendly “Good” and the playful “Rosealia” that have pinned down the band since their inception. 

On stage at the House of Blues in Chicago, Kevin Griffin and company proved they’ve grown in quality and self-esteem which each CD released and subsequent tour, from the decent debut “Deluxe” to the well-planned “Friction Baby” to the introspective “How Does Your Garden Grow?” Hearing a few tracks off those CD’s, as well as several off their latest, gave fans the best of all worlds and an idea of what’s to come regarding the band’s direction. 

It wouldn’t be a Better Than Ezra show without hits like “Good,” Rosealia,” “King of New Orleans” and “At the Stars,” but those all came early on in the night, perhaps in hopes of getting such over played and over performed tracks out of their system. Instead, tracks like “Briefly,” “Extra Ordinary” and “A Lifetime” took front and center. “A Lifetime” was performed with a particular sense of emotion, probably given the fact that it was written as a tribute to Griffin’s college friend who died suddenly. Musically, the track fit somewhere between the tenderness of “At the Stars” and the urgency of “Desperately Wanting,” which closed out the initial part of the set prior to the encore. 

Their latest single “Extra Ordinary” was entertaining, but lacked the original spice heard on Closer. It was void of the studio driven turntable work that added a hip-hop flavor to the group’s traditional dynamics, without taking away any of their chemistry. However, the group did a better job showcasing their chemistry, as well as union with the audience, during their past gem “This Time of Year.” The band called for a faithful follower from the audience to play guitar for the tune, and luckily they picked a competent and entertaining musician-in-training. 

Better Than Ezra may not make revolutionary new music, defying genres and classification, but they’ve certainly stuck with their passion, despite the spotlight not shining so bright. Regardless of how mainstream radio and video channels embrace their new project, the band is clearly the closest they’ve ever been to making an album that’s right in their hearts. Since their sold out crowd in Chicago seemed to agree, clearly the band’s doing something right.