Things I Think about Things I've Seen Recently

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » October 1, 2006, 10:07 pm

Raconteurs: Fun show. They don't have a whole lot of material (their CD is pretty short) so you kind of know exactly what they're going to play, but I guess that's to be expected from a newish band. Jack White was cool live. They left some space for improvisation.

Gnarls Barkley: They seemed good, but I was paying more attention to my drunk than the music at this point.

Killers: Played a very crisp show with lots of energy. Their songs sounded pretty much the way they sound on the radio, which to me means that they don't suck live but they're also not good live. Probably would be fun if you like the Killers.

The Who: Rocked of course. The old guys still have a surprising amount of energy. Definitely spend a lot of time messing around and playing with the music. Played all of the standards that you'd expect, plus some stuff that I can only presume is new material (I haven't really kept up on the Who's new stuff).

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Also rocked. The crowd was really hot for the Peppers. They play loud in concert-- a lot of the faster songs that I don't always like so much on the albums ('readymade' for instance) are just killers live. Both Flea and Frusciante get a lot of solos and some chances to show off. I'd say they both get more attention than Kiedis.

Tool: A different kind of rocking. The way they present their music onstage, as part of an integrated package with the video and lighting, and without any real focus on the musicians, leads to a fair amount of scripting of the show, as you can't really count on the lighting crew to improvise the same way a musician can. As someone who really likes musicians playing around, I usually wouldn't be such a fan of the approach, except Tool of course pulls it off admirably. The crowd was hugely into the band, singing along with most everything and cheering loudly anytime there was a quiet spot. I thought they lived up to, but didn't exceed, the considerable hype they get.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » October 3, 2006, 12:20 pm

My favourite band: Godspeed you! Black Emporer are imo the seminal band of my generation so far.

As much as I love Tool, Godspeeds live set was wayyyyyyy better.
Tool were still absolutely amazing, but Godspeed were (possibly) !infinitely more amazing. They really are just that good.

Damien Rice: Having heard some of the new songs from his soon to be released (Ireland gets it first hi5!) '9' album, I can only hope to god the rest of the songs are as good. I fucking love Damien Rice and I hope Lisa Hannigan is on this album. Hopefully it will be immense.

The Killers: I downloaded the new Killers album because I imagined it wouldn't be worth the money, and I was right. I think I liked one song off it, the rest were either barely passable or outright shit.

The Postal Service: As emo as they are, the "give up" album is actually class. Cool little electro beeps over catchy singing, not exactly an album for when I'm sitting feeling sorry for myself but definately an album I listen to when I'm sitting by the beach in the sunshine (rarer now we approach winter

)

Snow Patrol live: Despite loving Snow Patrol, the live show in Belfast in front of 15000 odd people was disappointing. There were many reasons I ended up having a colossal nervous breakdown, but I just didn't think they were as good as the support band "The Editors". Nevertheless, they aren't half bad for someone with an accent like ours (retarded).

Tom Waits: My new find, even though he's been around forever, he is great

He reminds me of lots of old memories and his fucked up raspy voice is grand!

Richard Ashcroft: I turned on the TV to watch the Ex-verve singer playing his "new song". Comically, or tragically, it turned out to be the most blatant ripoff of any old song that I have EVER EVER EVER heard. The velvet underground called Richard, they want "heroin" back, you fucking monkey.

Mazzy Star: Amazing, I always wonder why they are so underrated. It's such a shame, the same goes for.....

Portishead: See above.

Metric: A year ago Dregor turned me on to this band and I liked them ever since. Only last weekend at a club here I heard the song "Dead Disco" being played for the first time. Thanks Dregor for reminding how fucking behind the times Northern Ireland is with any music that doesn't just come straight the cocking NME.

Tool: Live they delivered the second best gig I've ever seen and I cannot fucking wait until November to see them again, in the same venue I saw Incubus in a few years ago. Speaking of which....

Incubus: Do they suck now? I dunno...they were really great when I saw them live, although nothing I imagine I'll ever try and compare to Tool or Godspeed or Muse (if I see them in November also)....they have such a gay reputation in the US among "frat boys" (whatever the fuck they are?) but they actually are fantastic musicians and songwriters. I think I prefer their older stuff...

In conclusion, the Mars Volta suck absolute pretentious balls.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » October 16, 2006, 12:55 am

Nick wrote:My favourite band: Godspeed you! Black Emporer are imo the seminal band of my generation so far.

I'd never heard of these guys until this thread. I DLed them based on your description. I thought they were very, very, very lame. There's nothing that makes them stand out at all. It's not even elevator music. It's boring and totally forgettable.

No real chorus. No real rythm. It's just non-descript music that's kinda like a waste of time. Seriously, what am I missing exactely? I'd really like to give them a chance, but man, it's just so hard to try and listen through a single song before I want to skip to the next.

Give me a song you like that they play. Maybe I'm spreading myself too thin with these guys and skipping around a lot. I mean, you say they were better than Tool live, so I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it definately was not that....

Nick · Post by **Nick** » October 16, 2006, 3:24 pm

I don't exactly understand how you can skip songs when every album is just one big long song.

miir · Post by **miir** » October 16, 2006, 4:32 pm

I'd never heard of these guys until this thread. I DLed them based on your description. I thought they were very, very, very lame. There's nothing that makes them stand out at all. It's not even elevator music. It's boring and totally forgettable.

You need to have a tremendous amount of patience to appreciate godspeed you! black emperor.

Not my cup of tea but if you like experimental progressive music you will appreciate them. It really has more in common (structure wise) with classical than with rock/pop.

miir · Post by **miir** » October 16, 2006, 4:35 pm

I liked lift yer skinny fists but I didn't like the last one. motherfucker redeemer was too noodly and the rest of it I found too drony.

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » October 16, 2006, 8:01 pm

(double post)

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » October 16, 2006, 8:02 pm

I saw a Gomez concert last week in the TLA in philly and i have to say, i was dragged there by my aunt and mother who usually like me to accompany them to concerts. Not knowing their music going into it i must say i thoroughly enjoyed the show. A great live band.

When i get back from Florida ill be going to see Atreyu on the 23rd and Story of the Year on the 24th. Those should be great shows.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » October 17, 2006, 12:53 am

Nick wrote:I don't exactly understand how you can skip songs when every album is just one big long song.

Because I DLed thier discography. It included:

Amazezine 7' split

f#a#infinity

Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven

Live at All Tommorrows Parties 4-8-03

Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada

Yanqui U.X.O

and a folder full of about 8 misc live performances

Trust me, I have a lot to skip through. I cannot bring myself to delete it all just yet, despite my initial dissappointment. I was hoping for some insight as to what to look for in these guys and why they are considered good or progressive.

How about you give me some other bands they sound like? Other bands that have integrated their sound? Do the guys have solo albums or pet projects were they do something a bit more normal?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » October 17, 2006, 6:14 pm

Oh right so because you have a lot of it it's best not to give any of the albums a full listen through, makes sense, sorry!

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » October 17, 2006, 9:09 pm

Nick wrote:Oh right so because you have a lot of it it's best not to give any of the albums a full listen through, makes sense, sorry!

If he's not liking it, why should he keep listening? That's what he keeps asking you. It's similar to how some Tool songs have minutes worth of buildup until it transforms into something totally different. He's wanting to like it.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » October 17, 2006, 10:13 pm

Fairweather Pure wrote:
Nick wrote:My favourite band: Godspeed you! Black Emporer are imo the seminal band of my generation so far.

I just sampled a part of every song off this album and it all sounded the same...screeching guitars. Didn't like it at all and I'd say Fairweather's comment about "non-descript music" is pretty accurate. It sounds like a garage band playing random chords.

I enjoyed your Regina Spektor song recommendation although it turned out to be mostly that particular song that I liked.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » October 18, 2006, 12:21 am

Nick wrote:Oh right so because you have a lot of it it's best not to give any of the albums a full listen through, makes sense, sorry!

I'm not getting where all your angst is coming from...

Maybe you're reading too much into my text. I'm not picking a fight or anything lik ethat. Just looking for a reason behind your statement of this band's greatness that I am obviously missing. /shrug

Hey, at least I tried listening to a band you provided positive feedback on. Whatever.

Syenye · Post by **Syenye** » October 19, 2006, 1:42 pm

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins: jenny lewis is absolutely amazing. she's on tour again (going to see her again next tuesday), so try to catch her if she's around. her album has a sort of twangy indie rock feel and it translates very well live. plus the twin backup singers factor is way hot in concert. i'm the drunk girl in the back who waits for the intro to 'born secular' to yell 'JENNY LEWIS YOU'RE SUCH A FOX!'

Damien Rice/Fiona Apple: i went mostly for damien rice, and he didn't disappoint. fiona apple was incredible live though, her energy and maturity were mind blowing.

The Decemberists: it was a year ago when i last saw them, but they're on tour currently, and their shows are a blast if you can catch them. colin meloy posses the power to make everyone in the austin city limits crowd sit on the ground at the festival. it's also the only time anyone has ever told me to 'scream like i've been swallowed by a giant whale.'

David Sedaris: while technically not a concert, definitely one of my favorite performers. he did a fundraiser for public radio tulsa, and he's fantastic. he got his start on NPR, so he has great delivery and better timing than most stand up comedians. he's utterly endearing.

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » October 19, 2006, 4:39 pm

Other bands that have integrated their sound?

Radiohead cites them as a influence and one of their favorite bands.

Not smack talking, just answering the question.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » October 19, 2006, 9:56 pm

I saw Cyndi Lauper a couple weeks ago. She put on a great show, lots of energy. I think it sometimes gets overlooked in all of her general quirkiness (which is certainly part of who she is) but she really has written a lot of very good songs. And the girl can sing. Very strong voice. As an aside, I got a DVD recently of a Katrina benefit concert that has her and Allen Toussaint do a great version of Last Train/You Don't Want Me No More.

A couple months before that I saw Dr. John, great New Orleans Jazz/Blues piano player. He put on a great show as well, I just love to hear him play piano. He is a decent vocalist as well, not a big or technically impressive voice but a lot of character.