Love the album, but on that evening, I just couldn't get into it. First, I had a major stomach ache. That's what I get for eating steak two nights in a row when I haven't eaten red meat in over 7 months. And then, the crowd was just this annoying techno crowd. Which I kind of expected, but not this bad. Finally, Simian Mobile Disco came on at midnight, which, at that point, I was spent, especially since I was at the venue at around 10:30pm. I was over it. I left at 12:30 or so and went home and drank some Pepto.
I'm not even going to rate this show, only because I left not because of the music but for physical reasons.
12 October 2007
The New Pornographers (The Warfield, 17 September 2007)
I don't know if I can ever watch the New Pornographers again without thinking that after they play their set, Belle & Sebastian is next. Because, that's what I was thinking the entire time I saw their show that night. "I can't wait for Belle & Sebastian!" But noooooo...it was just the New Pornos.
This time though, Neko Case was with them. Along with Mr. Destroyer himself. It was the first time, I think, that I saw all of them in one show. Like the previous times I saw them, A.C. Newman and crew just played song, after song, after song. They are truly robots, but likable ones at that. Newman's voice seemed off tonight too, but that really didn't matter.
The New Pornos' new album, Challengers, is the most mellow and least poppy of their entire discography. Is it because the New Pornos are getting older? Newman married a week or two before this show, so maybe the whole engagement process humbled his poppy stuff and focused on something, well, not so?
I think the songs I enjoyed most were the ones that Dan Bejar sang like "Myriad Harbour." Bejar is a character. The man is constantly drunk, or so it appears, yet he can sing without missing a beat. And I like how he just appears and re-appears, never being on stage for that long of a time. I did like "Spanish Techno," whici is always in my iPod playlist.
As the show went on, my friends and I decided to take a seat. We stayed for the entire main set, but left once they're done. It's the whole Belle & Sebastian thing. Maybe we'll get over it and the next time the New Pornographers come to town, we'll be more into them.
Beer Rating:
1/2
This time though, Neko Case was with them. Along with Mr. Destroyer himself. It was the first time, I think, that I saw all of them in one show. Like the previous times I saw them, A.C. Newman and crew just played song, after song, after song. They are truly robots, but likable ones at that. Newman's voice seemed off tonight too, but that really didn't matter.
The New Pornos' new album, Challengers, is the most mellow and least poppy of their entire discography. Is it because the New Pornos are getting older? Newman married a week or two before this show, so maybe the whole engagement process humbled his poppy stuff and focused on something, well, not so?
I think the songs I enjoyed most were the ones that Dan Bejar sang like "Myriad Harbour." Bejar is a character. The man is constantly drunk, or so it appears, yet he can sing without missing a beat. And I like how he just appears and re-appears, never being on stage for that long of a time. I did like "Spanish Techno," whici is always in my iPod playlist.
As the show went on, my friends and I decided to take a seat. We stayed for the entire main set, but left once they're done. It's the whole Belle & Sebastian thing. Maybe we'll get over it and the next time the New Pornographers come to town, we'll be more into them.
Beer Rating:
1/2
Rilo Kiley (The Warfield, 6 September 2007)
I just remember being so beat up that day of the Rilo Kiley show. After a fantastic Okkervil River show the night before, I just wanted to get rid of the ticket and go home. I really don't think that Under the Black Light is all that great of an album. Especially that Spanish song. As beautiful as you are Ms. JennyLewis, please don't try to sing in Spanish.
After failing to hawk my ticket to the lowest buyer, I went inside reluctantly. I stood there near the floor, just thinkingof the comforts of my bed. They came on, and I actually enjoyed myself. They played a lot of their "old" stuff from More Adventurous, which I think is a fantastic album. They started off with "It's A Hit," and that immediately got the crowd going. Jenny looked great in that shiny dress, and Blake didn't look that bad either. In fact, everyone in the band looked good and they were as tight as ever. They also played, "Portions for Foxes," and that made me smile, even though it hurt to do so.
As the show went on, they played stuff from Black Light including "Moneymaker," which is not a bad song played live. "Silver Lining," which I think is the best song in the album, also was played. But it was Rilo Kiley's back catalogue that people wanted, and they mixed that in quite well. "Arms Outstretched" was fantastic acoustic, and you know everyone wanted to stretch their arms to hug Jenny.
Even though the show was good, I got tired and decided to leave about 50 minutes into it. No big deal. I saw them, heard the songs I most wanted to hear, and I was happy.
Beer Rating:
After failing to hawk my ticket to the lowest buyer, I went inside reluctantly. I stood there near the floor, just thinkingof the comforts of my bed. They came on, and I actually enjoyed myself. They played a lot of their "old" stuff from More Adventurous, which I think is a fantastic album. They started off with "It's A Hit," and that immediately got the crowd going. Jenny looked great in that shiny dress, and Blake didn't look that bad either. In fact, everyone in the band looked good and they were as tight as ever. They also played, "Portions for Foxes," and that made me smile, even though it hurt to do so.
As the show went on, they played stuff from Black Light including "Moneymaker," which is not a bad song played live. "Silver Lining," which I think is the best song in the album, also was played. But it was Rilo Kiley's back catalogue that people wanted, and they mixed that in quite well. "Arms Outstretched" was fantastic acoustic, and you know everyone wanted to stretch their arms to hug Jenny.
Even though the show was good, I got tired and decided to leave about 50 minutes into it. No big deal. I saw them, heard the songs I most wanted to hear, and I was happy.
Beer Rating:
Okkervil River (The Independent, 5 September 2007)
I first heard of Okkervil River a couple of years ago when a friend of a friend can't stop raving about Black Sheep Boy. She said that their shows are amazing, full of energy and passion and just great stage presence. Everytime they came to San Francisco, I always found a way to miss them. This time, there was just no way I can afford to miss them, especially since their new album The Stage Names is one of the best albums released this year.
I arrived shortly after 9:45pm and was fortunate to have friends who were pretty close to the stage. The Indy was buzzing that night. I was feeling really tired, but I was excited to see what the hype was all about.
And there they were. They were everything advertised and more. Will Sheff was just beyond superb, with his strong voice and equally great guitar work. The rest of the band that accompanied him, including the keyboardist who really looks like one of my friends, were giving it their all. They engaged in little banter, except when Will Sheff described how they were on Letterman for the first time and how he wanted to change the lyrics to one of his songs to fit one of the guests. Unfortunately, that idea was rejected.
They played pretty much everything from The Stage Names, but the song I remember the most was "So Come Back, I Am Waiting." It was long, it was powerful and the crescendo blew me away. I also liked how they were able to integrate live the Beach Boys' "Sloop John B" into "John Allyn Smith Sails."
I wish I can remember more details of the show, especially since I'm just writing about it a month later. But it was definitely one of the best shows I've seen all year. They're going to play the Fillmore, just you wait, and then they'll become even bigger.
Beer Rating: 0 Beer
I arrived shortly after 9:45pm and was fortunate to have friends who were pretty close to the stage. The Indy was buzzing that night. I was feeling really tired, but I was excited to see what the hype was all about.
And there they were. They were everything advertised and more. Will Sheff was just beyond superb, with his strong voice and equally great guitar work. The rest of the band that accompanied him, including the keyboardist who really looks like one of my friends, were giving it their all. They engaged in little banter, except when Will Sheff described how they were on Letterman for the first time and how he wanted to change the lyrics to one of his songs to fit one of the guests. Unfortunately, that idea was rejected.
They played pretty much everything from The Stage Names, but the song I remember the most was "So Come Back, I Am Waiting." It was long, it was powerful and the crescendo blew me away. I also liked how they were able to integrate live the Beach Boys' "Sloop John B" into "John Allyn Smith Sails."
I wish I can remember more details of the show, especially since I'm just writing about it a month later. But it was definitely one of the best shows I've seen all year. They're going to play the Fillmore, just you wait, and then they'll become even bigger.
Beer Rating: 0 Beer
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