Recent shows attended but not yet written about
The Mountain Goats at The Middle East Downstairs 9-26-06
Ezra has written about the show, I think. I wasn’t a huge fan before, partly
because I had only heard one or two MG songs over and over (when Ez likes a song, he can’t get enough of it). The show was pretty great, though. The place was packed, the crowd was enthusiastic (and young–kids with such perfect baby complexions shouldn’t be sucking face for two hours in the front row before the band takes the stage–should they?) and sang along much of the time. John Darnielle’s strangely jolly attitude says a lot about the appeal of his music. A lot of the songs are about bitter, painful subjects, but he throws them out there with a kind of recklessness that says “You can’t hurt me!” I felt like I was seeing an evolving sort of folk music. This therapy is my therapy, this therapy is your therapy.
Ladytron at Avalon 9-30-06
Because the show was at Avalon, I didn’t bother even trying to get my camera through the door. That was really OK this time, as the band seemed a lot more energetic than when we saw them at Avalon, and I was able to just dance and have a good time. They played Weekend and Discotraxx, which we didn’t hear at The Paradise, and we were treated to their complete light/video extravaganza, too. For a band like Ladytron, it felt right.
Shelby at Great Scott 10-7-06
Wabash friends Tim and Marco kindly went along to Great Scott for this one. I first heard Shelby when they played with Hail Social at Great Scott several months ago. I still can’t quite place their music i
n terms of influences or genre. It’s nothing too crazy, but it seems like an amalgam of lots of influences from the 80s and 90s–lots of music that I know makes up my background, too. I hesitate to make any comparisons because they all seem wrong, and the bands mentioned in connection with them on allmusic.com don’t seem right to me, either. Anyhow, they’re fun live, and seem like regular people. I met Kenny and bought their CD after the show. Whenever they come around again, you’re all invited (the same goes for Hail Social–or any other show, really).
young–kids with such perfect baby complexions shouldn’t be sucking face for two hours in the front row before the band takes the stage–should they?
Well somebody’s gotta do it. “Don’t talk her to death. Kiss her already! Ah, Youth is wasted on the wrong people.”
Yeah, it wasn’t a totally miserable experience at Avalon for a change. Though I am still a bit disappointed that we missed CSS, only showing up 30 minutes after the doors opened, as we did. Stupid Avalon.