It Was A Piece Of Crap!
Not really, but I just had to use that title today.
Back from the long weekend. It was nice having yesterday off.
So then...the weekend. Friday night L Boogie accompanied yours truly to the half nine club to see Kasabian open for The Music, thus I missed the Rookie Game (but apparently TA and Al J ruled). The show was good but not great. Kasabian put on a very tight show that started slowly and gradually worked it's way up to speed. Their show was just like their CD. It rocked in some places, was dancey in others and it kept my toe tapping the whole time. And by God was it LOUD. Their sound man deserves a raise because their set went straight to 12, fuck 11. My only complaints about them was their sound was way too slick for the live arena. There were obviosuly some backing tracks being played (and I'm cool with that) but their songs generally sounded exactly like they do on the CD. Note perfect renditions in some cases. I would have liked to see them loosen up a bit and go with the flow. Oh, and their lead singer needs dance lessons. His stage moves made me appreciate Liam and his refusal to "dance around like a monkey."
I had been waiting to see The Music since their first record came out what seems like ages ago. I love that CD, but was less than impressed with their sophomore effort, despite having Brendan O'Brien behind the producer's desk. I thought that would have been a home run, but the band's live show really showcased the band's strengths and weaknesses.
Musically, the band is tight. Monster riffs that go on for days. And their drummer is the new Reni. He's that good. They are about as close to bridging the rock/dance gap as any band I know.
On the other hand, The Music are much like Supergrass. They are a great chorus in search of a decent verse. Lead singer Robert Harvey has an amazing set of pipes, but he's not a very gifted songwriter. Also, their set was about half as loud as Kasabian's. The difference was very notable. Their first two songs sounded like they were playing under water and the sound only improved marginally from there. I'm also sorry to say that Harvey was an even worse dancer than the Kasabian guy. Lastly, the crowd for that show was WEIRD. It was like all the Vines fans in the area descended on the venue because they had nothing better to do. L Boogie and I decided to leave early to beat the rush.
However, last night The Futureheads put both of those bands to shame. They were just amazing. I'm not a huge "punk rock" fan, but to me, The Futureheads were simply shit hot. Imagine Teenage Fanclub forming a cover band of The Jam and dressing in business casual attire on stage. They rifled through song after song that had the crowd going nuts. Their cover of Kate Bush's Hounds of Love was just amazing (and I've never even heard the original). I still haven't bought their CD but that will change very soon.
Last night was the first night of their US tour and I cannot recommend this band enough if they are coming through your town. That was the best $12 I spent since I picked up Screamadelica on vinyl from the Tower cut out bin on Sunday. Natalya got some great pictures last night and DCSOB also weighs in. The Upstate Life was also in attendance and he introduced himself while I was outside handing out flyers. Cheers.
Spring training photos of your WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON RED SOX. Holla. Related: Peter Gammons on the rotation.
Daily Jen has new tracks from Spoon and doves, both of which I have downloaded but not yet listened to. And she got a new cat! I would have gone with Chairman Meow, but that's me.
Dave Chappelle rules. [via Catchdubs]
Owwie. The new look over at Aint It Cool hurts my peepers.
I was sad when I read this sentence. With the release of Dignity and Shame, former Archers of Loaf frontman Eric Bachmann has now issued as many albums under the Crooked Fingers moniker as with his celebrated indie rock band. I miss the Archers of Loaf. *sniff*
QOTSA to "reform" like Voltron?
Ian Brown gets his own line of adidas shoes. (second item) Faithful ilb reader James Z alerted me way back on the 9th of this month that Noelly G would be joining king monkey Ian Brown on Conan tomorrow night, but I spaced on posting the info until now. Thanks dude! Unfortunately, all the other faithful ilb readers will have to miss Ian's performance because you'll all be at bluestate, RIGHT?
My favorite part of every Tuesday? Chromewaves 24 recap.
saw them on Thursday at Irving Plaza - have almost the same feelings, except I was a lot more impressed by Kasabian than you seem. I have not heard the CD, though, which may explain the difference. They came on and had just a ton of energy, their music is extremely catchy and danceable, and we had been at the bar for a few hours so maybe that impacted my enjoyment of their set. I was really feeling them, though. I thought they rocked.
The Music came on 30 mins. later or so and yeah - the energy level just wasn't there. Nor was the sound. And the crowd was very, very strange. It was this odd mix of college girls wanting to seem British and actual real Brits and it was like everyone was there for Kasabian - that was the vibe, the talk, everything. By the time The Music came on, it was like everyone collectively was just over it and ready to jet.
That said, The Music put on a solid, tight set that once it got going was extremely enjoyable. I kinda think Kasabian stole some of their thunder or something.
Have to say, I agree fully about the frontmen's collective "dancing" abilities. Yeah. Not. So. Much.
"What began when Jason Varitek took exception to A-Rod's comments to Bronson Arroyo last July, when Arroyo hit Rodriguez with a pitch everyone but Britney Spears knew wasn't intentional, carried over into the playoffs with more words with Varitek and Curt Schilling."
Congrats and all to the Sox... but Gammons is such a Red Sox butt boy it isn't even funny. Glad he has a national forum in ESPN to cover his one-sidedness
you can see pix of Ian's shoes at my site.