Imperfect Strangers no more; Enjambre and San Francisco finally unite

Reviewing Enjambre’s first concert in San Francisco is not unlike living through a first date.

From the build up to the venue choice, from the stage set-up and heck, even the lighting — Friday night, tucked inside a conference room over at the Clift Hotel, played out like an intimate first rendezvous with a not-so-total stranger — one of those adventures you go into hoping that everything about the person you’re about meet for the first time lives up to your expectation.

Because up until 10:45 p.m., all San Francisco had were a series of positive foreshadows in the form of six Enjambre albums over the course of an 11-year discography — each one arguably better and bolder than the its predecessor, each one acting like an anticipatory texts prior to the circled calendar date.

And while flirtatious text messages-turned-albums are romantic and all, especially with a lyrically gifted band like Enjambre, the truth is you never really know if there will be true sparks until your eyes finally meet — or in Enjambre’s case, until they strike the first chord.

You don’t have to consume too much of Enjambre’s music to know the band had a sense of this dynamic and the importance of making a memorable first impression as strangers in a city known for warm welcomes of Latin American artists. Their newest album, “Imperfect Extraño” — ironically translating to “Imperfect Stranger” — is deservedly drawing praise from the usual places. It’s sound, a bit bolder, larger than previous studios albums yet made with the same care as albums like “Huespedes del Orbe” that first garnered them acclaim.

But we’re far removed from questioning Enjambre’s merits in the studio. Friday night in San Francisco was about that first introduction, about leaving a last impression — one that sets the table for future dates with bands of Enjambre’s caliber in the City by the Bay. It was about putting together a show and setlist that compelled audience members to tell a friend or two or three and so, if and when the band chose to return, the backdrop was bigger and more conducent of a rock band of their status.

And on Friday, the band interpreted their latest album like those were the stakes — laying out the songs much like a first introduction that 15 minutes in is already dropping hints about date No. 2; Never going more than three tracks without serving up a dose of “Imperfecto Extraño” knowing that relationships of the long-lasting kind start with honesty — a this-is-who-we-are now approach to their music, as opposed to relying on more recognizable hits to lay the initial foundation of their San Francisco show.

While they might have known of the safety net laid out by long-time fans, ones excited just to see the band live for the first time in San Francisco, they didn’t rely on it — playing more like every single person in that conference room was listening to them for the first time.

Enjambre did not disappoint. Their sound goes down almost as smooth as what they’re actually saying. They’re an easy band to fall for. Which only leaves one question: when do we get to see you again?