Having just watched the “American Idol” auditions, I was pleasantly surprised when a mini-concert at the Channel Wednesday showcased actual talent versus the screeching vocals I heard on the television.

As 8 p.m. rolled around, We the Living had yet to complete their sound check, but between the slight guitar rifts, a strong down beat, and the comedic repetition of the word “check,” anyone could tell that We the Living’s mesmerizing simplicity and resonant lyrical styling was catchy and compelling.

They stay very true to their influences; the concert featured smooth lyrics and melodies that could be easily compared with the Fray, (who shares many of the same influences: U2, Better than Ezra and Counting Crows,) or more likely a The Fray cover band.

Their songs sound like part of a generic soundtrack of youth. It’s like the album you were enthralled with the summer before starting high school. When you look back now it seems simple and unsophisticated, yet it holds innumerable memories.

Their gravitation towards the so-called old school tendencies was evident in their means for spreading their music: no big labels, just small shows and a shameless plug for the merch table.

But word of mouth has certainly done We the Living well. As the band played to loud applause from the rather subdued crowd, the small audience that gathered was beyond faithful.

More than 95 percent of the concertgoers had seen them before and ceaselessly mouthed the lyrics. All together the show was enjoyable, and the band is sure to be well received on its collegiate tour, which runs through May.

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