Audience not quick in taking to Semisonic's performance

Good things come in small packages, and in no way, shape or form is the Bob Devaney Sports Center a small package.

That's not to say that sometimes bigger is better, but there's a fine line between the two.

When power-pop trio Semisonic took the stage Saturday at the Nebraska State Fair, one thing was perfectly clear: The band's sound and popularity aren't the quality that make quintessential arena rockers.

Semisonic is much more suited to smaller venues where a sense of familiarity and friendliness is exuded through its music, with a tinge of Minnesota-style funk (including the delicious tendency the band has of playing Prince covers) thrown in for good measure.

Luckily, Semisonic - frontman Dan Wilson, bassist John Munson and drummer/keyboardist Jacob Slichter - packed enough style and surprise to save the concert from complete failure.

"Falling," which had its beginnings at the Minnesota State Fair, according to the band, kicked off the set. With imagery of midway lights, a ride in a Ferris wheel and the light of constellations, the song was a low-key, but fitting, beginning.

Unfortunately, crowd members seemed to take that a little too much to heart, and they kept their seats for "Falling" and much of the radio hits "Singing in my Sleep" and "Secret Smile."

The trend continued through most of the concert, until Wilson, wearing what could be called a fireman ensemble, threw out a command of sorts for more lively participation. A more animated crowd was quick to follow for "fnt" and "Delicious," songs from the band's first full-length album, "Across the Great Divide."

But what really salvaged the concert from a completely ill-fated State Fair appearance was something that, as the all-too-true cliché would have it, came in a small package - time-wise, anyway.

Matt Wilson, a former bandmate of Dan Wilson and Munson in Minneapolis art-rock orchestra Trip Shakespeare, took the stage for a few numbers with Semisonic. The highlight came when the brothers Wilson sang backup to Munson on "Lulu," a song from Trip Shakespeare's final full-length album of the same name.

The song speaks true to exactly how I feel about Semisonic's former (and better) incarnation. "Lulu" puts it right: "Lonely when I hear the band/That used to play when we were looking for music/Lonely when I hear the band/Do you remember? Do you recall?"

Unfortunately for listeners everywhere, Matt Wilson is not a permanent member of Semisonic, but this concert provided a glimmer of hope that collaboration between the two will follow.

Just that chance made Saturday's concert well worth it - even without any Prince covers.