solace

i gotta say... hate the band all you want, but i watched their Unplugged on Palladia over the weekend... (i've seen them live a few times before tho too) and they are pretty impeccable musicians. That and Ezra's voice seems to never really waiver at all (now whether or not you dig his voice is another story).

i see Jon Auer around Minneapolis every so often out at shows... he has a lot of friends here apparently and visits often.

yeah, but i did love the shit out of Conversations and a couple other tunes. man that Frosting show would RULE... jealous

strong rumors of Pearl Jam playing in St. Augustine on April 19th too

It’s been almost a full year, but the wait is finally over. My Morning Jacket are ready to bring their electrifying live show back on the road. The guys will make their way around the Southeastern United States this Spring, including a performance at this year’s Jazzfest in New Orleans. MMJ are also excited to both try something new with their choice for an opening act, and bring some of the spirit of NOLA along with them. The band is honored that the historic Preservation Hall Jazz Band will be supporting them on the run. The connection with the PHJB originated in the Spring of 2009 when MMJ

they're doing a larger scale US tour in April/May i guess. hope they announce those soon

i just realized... Horchata = The Rugrats Theme

it's possible the show was 2004... i'd have to look back. they also played First Avenue (Capacity is 1700+) after their last album (and touring opening for Damien Rice in bigger places), but just prior to Swell Season, and there was probably only 250-300 people at First Ave edit: it was in the fall of 2005.

hah... true. and you wanna hear something funny? last year they sold out the 400 Bar packed to the gills. funny what difference a year or two can make sometimes.

Bon Iver opening for (his then girlfriend's band) Land of Talk @ The Nucleus in Eau Claire November 2007 there was 35 people (including a lot of friends/family) there. i felt really bad because just a few weeks prior i'd seen him at that same venue open for DeYarmond Edison who were reuniting for 2 shows and both nights sold out (granted the Nucelus holds like 125 or so, but still). he was really proud that an 'International' band was playing in Eau Claire, but i got the feeling that he was pretty disappointed in the turnout. The Frames @ 400 Bar in 2006? they'd played in town before,

i like it too. plus, here's the original artwork from the self-released version i bought at their show in October: lol! but yeah, pretty solid debut imo. 4-5 really great songs.

i think it's a tad bit longer, and obviously not bleeped out.

first 3-6 months of 2010 > all of 2009 and possibly 2008

true... but with a voice like his and keeping it strictly solo acoustic there's not really TOO much change that can be made in his case i'd argue. plus it's only his 2nd album

new album 'The Wild Hunt' due April 13th on Dead Oceans mp3 of 'King of Spain' (which he's been playing live for a long time and is a total highlight): http://downloads.pitchforkmedia.com/Tallest%20Man%20on%20Earth%20-%20King%20of%20Spain.mp3 US tour in April/May

that thing is f'n HILARIOUS. def check out the DVD if you get a chance

it's SOOOOO freakin' great. i loved their debut and was a tad bit let down by Devotion, but this one eclipses both. guessing it gets a 9.2 or so and Best New Music on Pfork either tomorrow or Tue, and rightfully so (esp. considering they gave Contra an 8.6 ) that said, the new Besnard Lakes is up there with Teen Dream for me... but it's not quite as pleasurable of a listen, mostly more adventurous/epic. they sounded real nice on Fallon... i really hope they bring that drummer along on tour, as i think this new one is a bit too full for just the 2 of them like usual.

from this month's Uncut, there's a brief interview w/ Aaron, new album is due in May:

it's not BAD by any means, but it has 3-4 songs i don't care for too much and only 1-2 song i'd put in my top 15-20 THS songs.

first song off their new album is more interesting musically than anything on the last album IMO: http://pitchfork.com...him-in-the-sun/ not saying it's BETTER than any song off that, just more interesting. i dig the Tilly & The Wall guest vocals too

Tad's a douche? that's news to me. what, did he not sign your Fender Squire strat you brought out after the show or what? as for Almost Killed Me songs live, maybe they play a lot more in Minnesota than usual? idk. they consistently play a 3-4 per show here. i guess i can understand how someone might have found Franz a totally integral part of THS if they never saw them without him or prefer the songs where he plays keys/sings backu, i just however am not one of those people is all i guess. different strokes as they say.

and you're certainly not alone in that... a few of my friends used to really dig THS (and were longtime/hard core LFTR PLLR fans), but once Franz joined they lost a ton of interest in seeing them live.

did you ever see them without him? granted i only saw them without him 3-4x vs. 10+ with, but they were much more of a rock/punk band prior to him joining, which i prefer (as i prefer Lifter Puller too) his stage presence was fun sometimes, but annoying often as well. he often tried to steal the spotlight from Craig and the rest of the band. nice enough guy, but Matt's right, i won't miss his backup vocals whatsoever (have you listened to his Major General record? **) Tad is much more irreplaceable than Franz. AGREED. i love maybe 3-4 songs total on that album. the Harpsichord on

nope. Almost Killed Me is damn near their best record. Stay Positive is their without question their weakest album.

Franz has left The Hold Steady: http://www.franznicolay.com/ as someone who saw the band a few times prior to him joining... i can't say i'm SUPER bummed. they ruled just as much live w/o him. sure his organ playing at times added a nice touch, and he was often fun to watch live... but a part of me hopes they'll just continue as a 4-piece straight up rock band like before, rather than to try and replace him.