tangara

See, here's what I don't get - if there's plenty of space, why did the OP and his girlfriend need to be so close to the front?

But...if there's plenty of space, why can't the OP and his girlfriend be close to the front?

If this was one of those things where there's ten inches of space in front of you and someone squeezes into it, blocking your view and drunkenly stepping on your toes and elbowing you in the gut while doing so...well, that's one thing. But it doesn't sound like that was necessarily the case here.

I'm not down for the territorialism. The benefits are negligible.

My 5th and 6th shows of the year too

Well, the "Second Show Rule" was clearly in effect last night. Better setlist, and better energy, especially in the second set. The jam in "Handshake Drugs" was one of the best I've heard, followed up nicely by a lovely, pastoral "Far, Far Away". I also looooved Poor Places>>>>>Spiders. That was incendiary.

My one complaint is that I wish they would throw in a few more rarities for the hometown crowd. We can handle it, I promise...

I was standing a ways back, but I could see that there were big pockets of space all over the floor, both nights. It was really odd. There were times when you could see people leave, and I mean a whole group would put on their coats, pack up and go, and no one would move up into their spots. It was not a crowded floor by any means.

I arrived at the end of Tortoise and though I think I probably could have moved a little closer to the stage, I don't think I could or would have edged into the third row without at least feeling a little awkward about it. That's a little pushy.

And that said, I think you can and should expect the scene to be a little more crowded up front. Early arrival doesn't entitle you to extra space...you want space, there's plenty of room in the back

A woman from the Pavilion announced to the people standing in line, “No digital photography tonight! Only disposable cameras will be allowed.” There were approximately 147 people in my immediate area taking digital photos. And the person right in front of me was shooting a cell phone video. No one was arrested.

I got there a little late and wondered if there had been some kind of announcement about cameras. I was standing back by the soundboard and only saw two or three iPhones/cell phones/amateur digital photographers on the floor all night, which was SO pleasant. I was honestly amazed that more people weren't taking pictures.

This was my first visit to the UIC Pavilion and I thought it was a really noisy venue. I wear pretty decent earplugs to shows and when the guy next to me dropped his empty plastic beer cup it rang out like a bell. The mix was off at times - I actually thought Mike was really high in the mix - but overall I thought the band sounded all right. Can't wait to hear them in a proper concert hall this Spring.

I was a little disappointed by how rote the setlist was; hoping for something a little more adventurous tonight. That said, I really enjoyed "At Least That's What You Said" and "Theologians".

On a related issue, did anyone pick up the 'Duke and the King' album that what a Simon Felice project after he left the band. If you want something a bit more eclectic with its influences more varied then I would suggest trying it out. There is one song on the record (Lose Myself) that is marvelous is a mix between Grandaddy and classic area Pink Floyd!!

Yes, it's a really solid record. The touring band is great, filled out with a fiddle player and a gospel-harmonizing drummer. Saw them earlier this summer and it was possibly one of my favorite shows of the year.

They do a mean cover of "Helpless":

I'll be at the Madison show with my whole family Can't wait!

Grand Archives and the Black Whales are playing Schubas on Saturday...that's where I'll be

To me, Embryonic is like hearing the early era Lips except they know much more musically in how to get themselves across.

This.

The song 'I Can Be a Frog' is one of the stupidest songs ever

But this, too, unfortunately. I can't stand Karen O.

Can't wait to see them tour on this record; I hope they leave the hamster ball at home and just do what they did last night on Conan.

Someone put this in Jeff Tweedy's pocket please.

Agreed.

I'm a Pearl Jam diehard (and often find myself in the role of Pearl Jam apologist) but I have to say this record is...just not very good. It's really, really poppy - and I'm fine with poppy - but what bothers me most is how formulaic it is. As the Pitchfork reviewer says, it really does sound tossed off.

Lots of cringe-worthy moments on this record, but perhaps the worst is "Just Breathe". While listening to this track for the first time, I thought "ah, so this is why people make fun of Eddie Vedder's vocals."

There's an article in SPIN this month and Mike McCready says something about the fact that since they were self-releasing the album, the songs were written with more of an eye toward commercial appeal. Makes sense for their bottom line, I guess, but I don't think it does the record any favors.

That said, they're still a fantastic live band; we heard "The Fixer", "Supersonic" and "Got Some" at the Chicago shows, and they sounded much better with a bit of life pumped into them. This clip from last night's show in Seattle even gives me a bit of hope for one of the more tepid songs on the record, "Amongst the Waves":

Ah well. Still looking forward to the Philly shows

Up to four shows now.

As you say, I guess Greg Graffin must have passed on the whole thing.

 

But it looks like Jay Farrar, Jim James, Anders Parker and Will Johnson didn't. Think this is from a Will John/centro mail list, but don't have a link:

 

'Will Johnson is the Swiss Army knife of indie rock. During rare downtime

between his bands Centro-matic and South San Gabriel, the prolific local

songwriter is taking a backseat to the Monsters of Folk Bright Eyes' Conor

Oberst and Mike Mogis, M. Ward, and Jim James of My Morning Jacket on a

national and European tour, following the release of the quartet's eponymous

debut Tuesday. "I play [drums] as much as I'm allowed on recordings, but

it's been a little while since I've played live," says Johnson, who last

gigged behind the kit with Jandek in July 2007. His return coincides with

the November release of Jason Molina & Will Johnson (Secretly Canadian), his

debut collaboration with the Magnolia Electric Co. frontman, which Johnson

describes as "a pretty subdued listen." Here's the real bombshell, though.

Alongside Jim James and Anders Parker, Johnson is also taking part in Jay

Farrar's version of Mermaid Avenue, recording original music based on

unpublished Woody Guthrie lyrics at the behest of his daughter, Nora

Guthrie. While no details have been confirmed as far as a release date or

label, the album, which was recorded in New York in March, is currently in

the mixing stage. "Jay sent me a priority mail package full of the lyrics,

and I opened it at 4:30 in the afternoon," Johnson recalls. "Within 17

minutes, I had already documented this one called 'Chorine My Sheba Queen'

to the recording machine. That speaks far more about the song than anything

I did. The lyrics struck me in a way that the music sounded automatic. It

made such sense to my soul and my spirit. It's got an empty and regretful

tone but in a very beautiful way. I just latched onto it."

 

 

 

Personally this is friggin' huge news.

Here's the link.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/column?oid=oid%3A862638

I'm pretty excited for it too.

Auerbach and the Fast Five...

Brilliant stuff. I saw them at Roo, Lolla and will be seeing them at ACL...really powerful live band. The vocal has a bit of Shannon Hoon feel at times, which I personally love. The new record has some 80's hair band moments, but in all the best possible ways.

I am LOVING this. Despite Karen O's squawking

For those of you living in or near Chicago, we're having another Pearl Jam party at the Ashland (2824 N. Ashland) to celebrate the release of Backspacer. It's this Saturday, September 19 from about 7 p.m. on. We'll be spinning the new record, raffling off some Pearl Jam goodies (including a Chicago '06 poster), and mostly just enjoying some drinks with fellow fans.

If you can, bring some nonperishable/canned goods (proceeds from the evening will benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository).

Hope you can join us! Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Oddly enough I'm listening to the Bon Iver bootleg from Bonnaroo whilst reading this thread. Yes, a Bon Iver set can be pretty quiet, and yes, festival crowds are a whole 'nother animal, but whyyyyy are these stupid dudes standing next to the taper and discussing Scarlett Johanssen at the top of their lungs?

My general rule of thumb is that if I have my earplugs in and I can still hear 'em yappin', I'm gonna say something.

It took me a long time to get back on the train. Actually, I am still not on it. Can anyone give me the nitty gritty update on how the tour is going? Is the band focused? Breakouts? How is the new stuff? Any comparisons to prior years?

I just got two GA tickets for the Chicago show for $60. Definitely not selling strong on the secondary market.

I really enjoyed the Bonnaroo and Alpine Valley shows earlier this summer...I thought the band sounded great, much better than I remembered from the 90s and 00s gigs I'd seen, in fact. The soloing was really focused (though a bit more so the first night, both times...seemed like they gave themselves a little more rein on the second night of each stand) and overall I was really impressed. Definitely looking forward to some more dates this fall.

I think I might go to this instead of the Philly Pearl Jam shows.

Hrm.

Dancefloor both nights! Woohoo!

Was anyone at the Feelies show at the Pritzker earlier this month? Pretty damn good show.

ya mon

These should be great shows

Im in for both nights!

I'm hoping they'll add a third.

Im not loving the fixer

 

its alright, got some is a MUCH better song IMHO, but Im anxious to hear the rest of the record.

 

anybody else hitting the philly shows?

Agreed on all counts. See you in Philly!

Cool. I only have Crazy Rhythms, never been able to find The Good Earth.

I actually thought it would be more. I'm really surprised it's at the Auditorium- that place is huge. I'll be shocked if they sell it out.

I'll be in Philly at the Pearl Jam shows at the Spectrum that week. Ah well. I hope MoF are added to ACL.