exo

I requested "Just A Kid" on Friday just because I think it's a fun song and the acoustic rendition sounds great. The show came right in the middle of final projects and exams for me, though, so the song ended up really appealing to the whiney "I don't want to do my work" kid in me. I basically ended up request the most personally appropriate song without realizing it at first. It's magical... thanks Jeff.

They sounded good, but they've never really grabbed me musically and last night I kind of felt the same way.

 

Jeff dedicated Just a Kid to the "kids in Tortoise... those up-and-comers" which was pretty funny given they are widely regarded as a seminal band.

The reactions around me were really funny. A group of older guys behind me liked the rhythm (which was amazing on those last few songs) but didn't quite get it musically. The kids in front of me, meanwhile, thought it was a noodly mess. I just think it's funny how many people were ignorant of the fact that they were witnessing an extremely influential band and Chicago legends. Their loss.

On to the main event: first off, I was surprised that I was able to stand maybe 4 "rows" of people back even though I didn't get in line until around 6. Being that close, I really didn't get much of a sense for how it felt as an arena show. I will say that the sound wasn't that great from there (tons of clipping), but that was to be expected. As for the band, I thought there was such a great energy to the show last night. I agree that the set was a little too similar to the last time I saw them (Coney Island), but I think there's a reason they don't vary it up too much; it's put together so well that it just works so well and has such a great flow. I think this is the first show I've seen them play without doing "Spiders", but I was really happy to hear "Theologians" and "Just A Kid". And that computerized band intro? So cool. It made such a great transition into the opening loop of "Heavy Metal Drummer", and oddly enough, that might have been my favorite/happiest moment of the night.

All in all, another great show. Let's try and push for the Schuba's show though...

Anyone else end up going to the Central Park show? A bit of a let down for both bands as there were some serious sound problems (especially for M. Ward, who had to suffer through the first half of his set guitar-less or drenched in some kind of feedback). Musically though, it was an odd fit for Floored by Four because of the setting (a bunch of boozed-up hipsters at a free show in the park that expect Wilco and Minutemen songs) and pairing (quite different than M. Ward). I'd say it was fairly avant-garde, fusion-esque jamming, but a bit different than what I was expecting. Especially with Watt involved, I just expected a little more "oomph" in the music, but a lot of it were pretty subdued, with a rather lengthy one sounding more like a quiet ambient jam. This is where the fans really just went overboard, talking loudly and just seemingly not caring (I was up in the front too, can't imagine what it was like toward the back). One asshole, during one of the quieter parts went so far as yelling "Bored by four, not floored by four!" That said, they ended the night with Watt reciting the opening lines to Maggot Brain and jumped into the song, Nels-style. It was pretty awesome and a much appreciated jolt of energy.

Oh my god, the suspense.

I'm not going to lie... my girlfriend and I have been freaking out about this movie ever since we saw the trailer for it before Ratatouille back in June. I'm just excited that it finally comes out in a few months.

if they released it on dvd i would crap my pants. but to be honest i highly highly doubt it, where were the video cameras???? but if ya think about it. where is the live wilco dvd????? kicking television didnt happen. i bet you so much that a dvd in the near future is very possible. keep us occupied until their next release.

You'd think a DVD is imminent, but what better opportunity is there than the residency? Unless of course they film a single night for a DVD.

So when Jeff said people should stop saying "for reals", what was the other phrase he said should be banned? I can't remember.