Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Building a Windmill
Sometimes I'll come and sit at the computer with so little to write about so much.
Kind of like going to a funeral and having nothing to say. It's a sad thing, to be sure, but who wants to say that and sound like that? You can stand there and see all that there is to see, you know the feeling, you see the emotion. But there's nothing in language that can match the emotion. Sometimes people are taken too soon and there's nothing worthy to be said. Language is brought low, useless. Better to just stand, observe, let honor be understood through incorruptible visuals.
And for some reason -- perhaps because that's all that makes sense -- the simple act of standing is enough. As if, taken as a whole, each person was like an individual blade in a windmill, everyone forming a single message, saying the same thing, without speaking at all.
Kind of like going to a funeral and having nothing to say. It's a sad thing, to be sure, but who wants to say that and sound like that? You can stand there and see all that there is to see, you know the feeling, you see the emotion. But there's nothing in language that can match the emotion. Sometimes people are taken too soon and there's nothing worthy to be said. Language is brought low, useless. Better to just stand, observe, let honor be understood through incorruptible visuals.
And for some reason -- perhaps because that's all that makes sense -- the simple act of standing is enough. As if, taken as a whole, each person was like an individual blade in a windmill, everyone forming a single message, saying the same thing, without speaking at all.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Grading Milwaukee Radio (OR) On Torture
I think that unless one lives in New York or LA, people will always complain about the radio stations. When I lived in Eau Claire, people complained about the small town radio stations. I remember people there who came from the Twin Cities (otherwise known to people in the area as "The Cities" . . . as if there were no other cities) making this complaint; they would fondly recall the great stations of "The Cities"; they would claim that on a clear day, one could gain slight reception. But that was all nothing more than homesickness. Yes, folks, I've been to "The Cities". Radio sucked there as well. In fact, after a careful, five-year analysis, I found Eau Claire's radio to be slightly better.
Milwaukee radio is . . . something just slightly better than torture. We've got: 2 pop stations, 2 rock stations, 3 classic rock stations, 2 country stations, 2 urban stations, 1 soul station, 1 classical station, 2 sports talk stations, 2 am talk stations, and 1 independent station. I won't review them all, as I don't really spend any time on the urban or country stations. But here they are:
94 WKTI
KTI is one of the sugary, pop stations. The whole attitude of this station is, "We're so much good-natured, Milwaukee-lovin' fun!" They love to play the 80s. I've got a theory that each station has a favorite artist that they play more than any other. KTI's favorite is the Barenaked Ladies. Of course, they only play two or three songs from them, but they play those two or three songs like they were SOS signals. The worst thing about KTI is . . . my wife loves it. On weekdays, she takes my car to work while I watch the kid. When she comes home, I get ready for work, head downstairs, get into my car, turn on the car, and BLAAAAAAM! KTI is blaring out of the speakers. Every day, blaring the KTI. It's gotten to the point that every time I turn on the car, I scream, "Make it STOOOOP!" Grade: D-.
99 WMYX
Ah, yes. "The Mix". This is the pop station that's not as sugary as KTI. I'll give The Mix some credit: they've started playing rock and soul on the weekends . . . kind of an experimental, grab-bag approach. This has been interesting, if not altogether successful. There's as much drudge as there are welcome surprises. And they do this terrible switch every Thanksgiving, until January 1, in which they change to an all-holiday format. Utter torture. The DJs at this station are probably the worst in the city. Not sure about favorite band. Maybe Alanis. Grade: D.
96.5 WKLH
The classic rock station. This one's distinctive for having the worst, most annoying morning team in the history of radio: Dave & Carole. I really can't fully communication how much I hate Dave & Carole. Is it that their show is so filled with random idiots that one never actually listens to Dave or Carole? Is it the feel-good BS behind every interview they give? Is it the cliched sarcasm? Is it that they think they know everything and acknowledge their Milwaukee stardom? I think it's all of the above. Additionally, KLH has a favorite artist: Elton John. They cannot stop playing the Elton John. They loooooooove the Elton John. Anyone who knows me, knows my feeling on that subject, thus -- Grade: D. And the grade is only that high because they have some decent Sunday radio shows.
95.7 WRIT Greatest Hits of the 60's and 70's
Says it all, doesn't it? This is the former oldies station. Favorite band is the Beatles. They play some decent old hits, but there is so much garbage that goes along with the gems. Grade: D+.
97.3 The Brew
This is the new 80-rock station (although it includes some 70s rock). Everybody seems to love this station right now, as it's spanking KLH in the ratings. Still, it's hit or miss. For every Van Halen song, there's an REO song. Favorite band is Foreigner. Grade: D+.
91.7 WMSE
This is the snobby, independent station. The format changes every two or three hours. In the mornings, I like the Middle Eastern music. You get a pretty good afternoon alternative rock show that gives way to a decent blues show. On Saturday mornings there's an "early" hip-hop show. Other than all that -- which is still hit or miss, just hit or miss with stuff you haven't heard often -- it's filled with unlistenable shite. No favorite band. Grade: D+.
102.9 Lazer
Lazer's the long-time hard rock station. Great morning show is what keeps the grade above water. Favorite band is easily Metallica. They play a lot of the new, toneless hard rock you hear so much these days. Stuff that -- production-wise -- is inspired by Creed and Nickelback. Very boring, bass-heavy mix. Cliched lyrics. Buncha crap. Still, good morning show and hit-or-miss songs give it -- Grade: C-.
102.1 WLUM
LUM has gone through the changes. I first remember them as "Hot 102", a hip, urban station that allegedly switched platforms because of gang violence in the city that was so associated with the music of LUM. Then in like '93 or '94 they became "New Rock" 102.1, which had a lot of chick rock and grunge. That changed around '98 or so to "Rock" 102.1, which was interesting. For about 2 weeks, they played everything: the chick rock, old rock, new rock, hard rock. It was good. But all good things end quickly in radio. Thus, "Rock" 102.1 became just hard rock. They essentially tried to out-Lazer Lazer. It failed. So now they're "Milwaukee's alternative station," which is . . . a nice effort. They don't try to replicate Lazer. They play plenty of 90s rock. They have a decent, "new music" show at night for an hour. The problem is they only play big-label alternative. They won't try anything independent. Still, it works for me: B-.
So, of eight stations reviewed, we've got a D-, two D's, three D+'s, a C-, and a B-, averaging out to a pretty solid D.
Milwaukee radio is . . . something just slightly better than torture. We've got: 2 pop stations, 2 rock stations, 3 classic rock stations, 2 country stations, 2 urban stations, 1 soul station, 1 classical station, 2 sports talk stations, 2 am talk stations, and 1 independent station. I won't review them all, as I don't really spend any time on the urban or country stations. But here they are:
94 WKTI
KTI is one of the sugary, pop stations. The whole attitude of this station is, "We're so much good-natured, Milwaukee-lovin' fun!" They love to play the 80s. I've got a theory that each station has a favorite artist that they play more than any other. KTI's favorite is the Barenaked Ladies. Of course, they only play two or three songs from them, but they play those two or three songs like they were SOS signals. The worst thing about KTI is . . . my wife loves it. On weekdays, she takes my car to work while I watch the kid. When she comes home, I get ready for work, head downstairs, get into my car, turn on the car, and BLAAAAAAM! KTI is blaring out of the speakers. Every day, blaring the KTI. It's gotten to the point that every time I turn on the car, I scream, "Make it STOOOOP!" Grade: D-.
99 WMYX
Ah, yes. "The Mix". This is the pop station that's not as sugary as KTI. I'll give The Mix some credit: they've started playing rock and soul on the weekends . . . kind of an experimental, grab-bag approach. This has been interesting, if not altogether successful. There's as much drudge as there are welcome surprises. And they do this terrible switch every Thanksgiving, until January 1, in which they change to an all-holiday format. Utter torture. The DJs at this station are probably the worst in the city. Not sure about favorite band. Maybe Alanis. Grade: D.
96.5 WKLH
The classic rock station. This one's distinctive for having the worst, most annoying morning team in the history of radio: Dave & Carole. I really can't fully communication how much I hate Dave & Carole. Is it that their show is so filled with random idiots that one never actually listens to Dave or Carole? Is it the feel-good BS behind every interview they give? Is it the cliched sarcasm? Is it that they think they know everything and acknowledge their Milwaukee stardom? I think it's all of the above. Additionally, KLH has a favorite artist: Elton John. They cannot stop playing the Elton John. They loooooooove the Elton John. Anyone who knows me, knows my feeling on that subject, thus -- Grade: D. And the grade is only that high because they have some decent Sunday radio shows.
95.7 WRIT Greatest Hits of the 60's and 70's
Says it all, doesn't it? This is the former oldies station. Favorite band is the Beatles. They play some decent old hits, but there is so much garbage that goes along with the gems. Grade: D+.
97.3 The Brew
This is the new 80-rock station (although it includes some 70s rock). Everybody seems to love this station right now, as it's spanking KLH in the ratings. Still, it's hit or miss. For every Van Halen song, there's an REO song. Favorite band is Foreigner. Grade: D+.
91.7 WMSE
This is the snobby, independent station. The format changes every two or three hours. In the mornings, I like the Middle Eastern music. You get a pretty good afternoon alternative rock show that gives way to a decent blues show. On Saturday mornings there's an "early" hip-hop show. Other than all that -- which is still hit or miss, just hit or miss with stuff you haven't heard often -- it's filled with unlistenable shite. No favorite band. Grade: D+.
102.9 Lazer
Lazer's the long-time hard rock station. Great morning show is what keeps the grade above water. Favorite band is easily Metallica. They play a lot of the new, toneless hard rock you hear so much these days. Stuff that -- production-wise -- is inspired by Creed and Nickelback. Very boring, bass-heavy mix. Cliched lyrics. Buncha crap. Still, good morning show and hit-or-miss songs give it -- Grade: C-.
102.1 WLUM
LUM has gone through the changes. I first remember them as "Hot 102", a hip, urban station that allegedly switched platforms because of gang violence in the city that was so associated with the music of LUM. Then in like '93 or '94 they became "New Rock" 102.1, which had a lot of chick rock and grunge. That changed around '98 or so to "Rock" 102.1, which was interesting. For about 2 weeks, they played everything: the chick rock, old rock, new rock, hard rock. It was good. But all good things end quickly in radio. Thus, "Rock" 102.1 became just hard rock. They essentially tried to out-Lazer Lazer. It failed. So now they're "Milwaukee's alternative station," which is . . . a nice effort. They don't try to replicate Lazer. They play plenty of 90s rock. They have a decent, "new music" show at night for an hour. The problem is they only play big-label alternative. They won't try anything independent. Still, it works for me: B-.
So, of eight stations reviewed, we've got a D-, two D's, three D+'s, a C-, and a B-, averaging out to a pretty solid D.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Great Hands
Tommy's got a link that's nothing but bad news. I was always a big fan of Aparo's Batman. He just nailed the character for me. It was a "straight" take on the character. Not too artsy or moody. Not a caricature. But it was dignified, realistic and classical.
I was too young to own any of Neil Adams's work. Norm Breyfogle was always a bit too far out there for me. I was never impressed with Frank Miller's Batman (blasphemy, I know). Graham Nolan, Brian Bolland, and Jim Aparo I could read every day and be happy.
I remember an associate editor once writing how he liked how large Aparo drew Batman's hands. I never noticed that before, but I did ever after reading that comment. I liked the symbolism in that decision, like throughout the grief and anger, there was always a self-made end, no matter how idealistic the means.
I was too young to own any of Neil Adams's work. Norm Breyfogle was always a bit too far out there for me. I was never impressed with Frank Miller's Batman (blasphemy, I know). Graham Nolan, Brian Bolland, and Jim Aparo I could read every day and be happy.
I remember an associate editor once writing how he liked how large Aparo drew Batman's hands. I never noticed that before, but I did ever after reading that comment. I liked the symbolism in that decision, like throughout the grief and anger, there was always a self-made end, no matter how idealistic the means.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
My Top Potter List
1.) Goblet of Fire
A rather strange choice, I know. Most people are Azkaban fans. And that's great. That's great. But this one has it all for me -- the world cup, the death eaters, the dark mark, the school year, the tournament, the shocking ending. Whew! Probably the toughest to get on film. I'm honestly just hoping they don't blow it.
2.) Prisoner of Azkaban
Last 200 pages are impossible to put down. Lupin, Black, Buckbeak, the time-turner. She's completely hit her stride here.
3.) Half-Blood Prince
Seems more balanced than Order, but also more layered. Many more questions are posed and the lead-in to the finale could not have been plotted better. A lot of obvious set-up with a lot of over-long exposition at the end, but there is enough left to the imagination to make it worthwhile. It's hard to look ahead to 7 and believe Harry has any sort of chance of surviving. The structure of this one makes it easier to film than 3 or 4, so we have something to look forward to. Additionally, there should be some great scenes for actors to cut their teeth on, namely the players of Dumbledore, Malfoy, Harry, and Snape.
4.) Sorcerer's Stone
It's the opener, when everything was fresh and new. I'm not a big fan of the ending sequence, though book 6 really does clarify it a bit better for me now.
5.) Order of the Phoenix
Harry's pretty pissed-off here, and may be a bit overdone in that respect. Excellent conclusion, though. Should make for a fine movie, and some lucky filmmaker must be drooling, dreaming up that final wizards' battle. This one, like others, bothers me with so much of its exposition at the end. She's definitely latched onto an outline, but she makes up for it with that new Umbridge character everyone loves to hate.
6.) Chamber of Secrets
Half-Blood clarified the whole diary as a Horcrux thing, but as a stand-alone, this one seems a bit manipulative and predictable with the whole school suspecting Harry. It does have its moments, though, and I enjoyed the movie.
A rather strange choice, I know. Most people are Azkaban fans. And that's great. That's great. But this one has it all for me -- the world cup, the death eaters, the dark mark, the school year, the tournament, the shocking ending. Whew! Probably the toughest to get on film. I'm honestly just hoping they don't blow it.
2.) Prisoner of Azkaban
Last 200 pages are impossible to put down. Lupin, Black, Buckbeak, the time-turner. She's completely hit her stride here.
3.) Half-Blood Prince
Seems more balanced than Order, but also more layered. Many more questions are posed and the lead-in to the finale could not have been plotted better. A lot of obvious set-up with a lot of over-long exposition at the end, but there is enough left to the imagination to make it worthwhile. It's hard to look ahead to 7 and believe Harry has any sort of chance of surviving. The structure of this one makes it easier to film than 3 or 4, so we have something to look forward to. Additionally, there should be some great scenes for actors to cut their teeth on, namely the players of Dumbledore, Malfoy, Harry, and Snape.
4.) Sorcerer's Stone
It's the opener, when everything was fresh and new. I'm not a big fan of the ending sequence, though book 6 really does clarify it a bit better for me now.
5.) Order of the Phoenix
Harry's pretty pissed-off here, and may be a bit overdone in that respect. Excellent conclusion, though. Should make for a fine movie, and some lucky filmmaker must be drooling, dreaming up that final wizards' battle. This one, like others, bothers me with so much of its exposition at the end. She's definitely latched onto an outline, but she makes up for it with that new Umbridge character everyone loves to hate.
6.) Chamber of Secrets
Half-Blood clarified the whole diary as a Horcrux thing, but as a stand-alone, this one seems a bit manipulative and predictable with the whole school suspecting Harry. It does have its moments, though, and I enjoyed the movie.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
On Priorities
I've got an awful lot to post, so much to say. E-mails to write. Correspondence to conduct. But nothing, nothing, nothing, absolutely not a single thing, not the job, the family, the book, the friends, the fun, the house, the work, the upkeep, the tenants, the neighborhood, the quality of life, the socio-economic standing -- none of it matters a single bit until I finish Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
So for all of you hoping to come to read another fun or insightful yarn, I apologize. For all of you I have not returned e-mails to, sorry. Now I have to go and read my young adult fantasy book. Goodbye.
So for all of you hoping to come to read another fun or insightful yarn, I apologize. For all of you I have not returned e-mails to, sorry. Now I have to go and read my young adult fantasy book. Goodbye.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
This is What Sucks
So my little sister came home with a hickey the other day. Today is her 17th birthday, and there's this dinner my parents are having for her. The whole fam will be there, plus her boyfriend, Daniel.
And my mom's just called to inform me that I can't make any comments.
So I just want to say, for the record, that I think:
A.) This is BULLSHIT! When I came home with a hickey (which I NEVER wanted, by the way) one night, my mom and sister wouldn't shut up about it (although I have to admit some guys on the track team gave me this approving "guy's nod" that was able to respond to with a superior chin-raise).
B.) Dinner would be a lot more fun if I could say, "Hey, Danny, you mind passing me the burgers? I'd sure like to suck on some meat right now."
C.) Dinner would be even more fun if I could say, "Boy, I am just sucking down this cake like . . . well kind of like how when two people are necking and, well . . . you get it.
All the time, fun is just SUCKED right out of my life.
And my mom's just called to inform me that I can't make any comments.
So I just want to say, for the record, that I think:
A.) This is BULLSHIT! When I came home with a hickey (which I NEVER wanted, by the way) one night, my mom and sister wouldn't shut up about it (although I have to admit some guys on the track team gave me this approving "guy's nod" that was able to respond to with a superior chin-raise).
B.) Dinner would be a lot more fun if I could say, "Hey, Danny, you mind passing me the burgers? I'd sure like to suck on some meat right now."
C.) Dinner would be even more fun if I could say, "Boy, I am just sucking down this cake like . . . well kind of like how when two people are necking and, well . . . you get it.
All the time, fun is just SUCKED right out of my life.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Myself
If I could change anything in the world, right now . . . . I would put an end to all the people, advertising campaigns, T-shirts, and soda bottles telling all who can see or hear to just "Be yourself".
"Be yourself" is the most trite phrase in the pantheon of human communication right now. I can't stand it, and people need to stop saying this.
All the Reasons Why This Phrase is Synonymous with a Bull's Excrement:
1.) How can one not be oneself? Huh? Explain that one to me, smart guy. I know what you're going to say, "Well, people need to stop being so fake." My response: if a guy is fake, that's "himself". His true self is a fake! He's being himself. This is a brilliant concept. In philosophy, it's called A = A.
2.) Don't the advertisers know that we know that they're being condescending by telling us to be ourselves? Do they actually think that we will think, "Oh, that's the beer that tells me to be myself. I think I'll buy their brand?"
3.) I saw this nonsense on a T-shirt the other day (actually twice in two days, thus the reason for this post), and thought, "Oh, yeah! Of course! That's it! This is the missing piece to my happiness and serenity! I only need to be myself! Let's all sing a Sly and the Family Stone song!"
4.) I can name . . . . oh, at least a dozen people who dislike me with something approaching a fierceness of passion. I was "myself" around them when the piss blew into the fan and things got ugly . . . . So isn't that argument enough NOT to be myself?
"Be yourself" is the most trite phrase in the pantheon of human communication right now. I can't stand it, and people need to stop saying this.
All the Reasons Why This Phrase is Synonymous with a Bull's Excrement:
1.) How can one not be oneself? Huh? Explain that one to me, smart guy. I know what you're going to say, "Well, people need to stop being so fake." My response: if a guy is fake, that's "himself". His true self is a fake! He's being himself. This is a brilliant concept. In philosophy, it's called A = A.
2.) Don't the advertisers know that we know that they're being condescending by telling us to be ourselves? Do they actually think that we will think, "Oh, that's the beer that tells me to be myself. I think I'll buy their brand?"
3.) I saw this nonsense on a T-shirt the other day (actually twice in two days, thus the reason for this post), and thought, "Oh, yeah! Of course! That's it! This is the missing piece to my happiness and serenity! I only need to be myself! Let's all sing a Sly and the Family Stone song!"
4.) I can name . . . . oh, at least a dozen people who dislike me with something approaching a fierceness of passion. I was "myself" around them when the piss blew into the fan and things got ugly . . . . So isn't that argument enough NOT to be myself?
All My Music
I hit Summerfest a couple times this year. The first show I saw was Tom Petty with the Black Crowes opening. This was a key show for me, namely because the Black Crowes got back together. I'm of the camp that states they've never made a bad album, not even a sub-par album, so their getting back together was good news. In fact, what struck me as just wacky about the whole night, was how subdued the crowd was for the Crowes, but how crazy they went for Tom Petty. I mean I like TP as much as the next guy . . . but I came for the Crowes. I think I was the only one who felt this way.
But it's a strange lineup they've put together. Even the Crowes website no longer has a "band" section . . . . It's as if they don't want to publicize it too much. It's still Chris and Rich Robinson, obviously. Good old Eddie Harsch, who's been with the group since album two, is also back on keyboards. Their original lead guitarist, Jeff Cease, was gone after the first album and unlikely to ever return. Their second lead guitarist, Marc Ford, who was kicked out of the band after their fourth album for crazy drug use, is back. This makes sense. I liked their third lead guitarist, Audley Freed, but he only played on Lions. Original bassist Johnny Colt left around the same time Ford did, and was not missed. But the brothers apparently didn't get along with Sven Pipien, their second bassist, who only played on By Your Side. Which makes it such a surprise that he's back with the group.
Here's what's telling: Harsch, Ford, and Pipien did not play on either Shake Your Money Maker or Lions. The 7/1 set included 2 songs from SYMM (2 of the 4 hits from SYMM), none from Lions. What I'm taking a long time to say is that they're playing from a "set" setlist. This is a far different band than what I saw three years ago on the Lions tour, when they could play any song from their catalog at any point -- with a new guitarist and bassist. I understand they've just gotten back together after a few years, and they're probably getting the new lineup familiar with the material.
The Crowes also worked against a terrible sound mix. Chris Robinson usually has a tendency to over-do his vocals live. His voice was under control, but the mix had him way too loud. This blows me away every time I'm at Marcus Amphitheater. Why doesn't the sound guy just grab an assistant and ask him to stand in the middle of the place -- right between the seats and the bleachers -- and just check if everything's in balance? How tough is that?
The good news -- the band looked like it was having a decent time. They only got an hour, which is bullshit, thanks to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers needing more than an hour to get their obnoxious stage set up. What's better, the best song they played was a new song (or a new cover, I'm not sure). Hopefully, they'll finish this tour strong and cut an album.
As far as TP, he was good. I've seen him before, and this time it struck me more than ever how he knows how to play to the crowd. He's really become a touring act . . . . which made it nice to hear a couple strange covers by The Animals and the Traveling Wilburys (I guess since TP was in the TWs, it wasn't a cover). They also played a new song from their upcoming album (late this year?) that sounded very good alongside the regulars. The crowd went nuts for the large number of Wildflowers songs, especially since he played some of the non-hits from that album.
Later on, I got free lawn seats to The Fray, The Pixies, and Weezer.
The Fray got a slight rip in the local rag that calls itself a paper. They only got 4 songs, so there's really not much to compliment or complain. I guess it's great exposure for a band that doesn't even have a full-length debut album out yet. They sounded good, very pop-friendly. Hook-y. I can hear them on the radio.
What's most telling about The Fray is The Pixies went on stage very shortly after The Fray left . . . and the first song, Bone Machine, made everyone forget about the opening band. It was kind of like watching MLB immediately after a couple innings of single-A ball. At first, I thought the Pixies would only get an hour. They zipped from song to song without a single word between songs. I think they may have once taken a 20 second break between songs, but that was just to switch guitars. Otherwise, they moved as fast as I've ever seen a band move. No fucking around. It was such a statement against how every other band on earth does things. When the set closed, the crowd went wild with a standing-O, and the band just stood there, giving a couple waves -- still no words -- and then walked off stage. No encore, no fucking around. They left it all onstage.
Weezer came on shortly thereafter. Played maybe five songs from the new album. Sounded good. But they had none of the urgency the Pixies gave. The opener -- Say It Ain't So -- was a strange choice. They gave a smattering from all the albums. But it was short -- just over an hour, including the two-song encore. And it's not like they were working against the Summerfest deadline; we left with plenty of time to kill. I originally thought the Pixies/Weezer double-billing was just out of respect for the Pixies. I assumed we'd get at least 90-100 minutes of Weezer. Not so. I guess it wouldn't bother me as much if Weezer played long, complicated songs. But they play short, simple pop songs. The set was easily 5-7 songs short.
***
CDs:
I got a chance to hear Coldplay's new one before it was released. Strong album. Sounds like a keeper, also sounds a lot like Coldplay. I'll probably buy it after it drops off the radio.
Also on the sometime to be purchased list: the new Better Than Ezra, the new Foo Fighters, the new Nada Surf, the new Oasis, the new Audioslave, and the new Stills. And maybe, just maybe, that new Willie reggae album.
***
Side note on SF--
I noticed the goths were a bit different this year. Usually, the large pack of goth kids just spread themselves along the rocks at the east end of the fest. This year, while still on the east end, they grouped together in a big circle, like a pack of resting dogs. They seemed to look out at all the "normals" with that great mix of anger, horror, and self-hate that only goths can meld together.
But it's a strange lineup they've put together. Even the Crowes website no longer has a "band" section . . . . It's as if they don't want to publicize it too much. It's still Chris and Rich Robinson, obviously. Good old Eddie Harsch, who's been with the group since album two, is also back on keyboards. Their original lead guitarist, Jeff Cease, was gone after the first album and unlikely to ever return. Their second lead guitarist, Marc Ford, who was kicked out of the band after their fourth album for crazy drug use, is back. This makes sense. I liked their third lead guitarist, Audley Freed, but he only played on Lions. Original bassist Johnny Colt left around the same time Ford did, and was not missed. But the brothers apparently didn't get along with Sven Pipien, their second bassist, who only played on By Your Side. Which makes it such a surprise that he's back with the group.
Here's what's telling: Harsch, Ford, and Pipien did not play on either Shake Your Money Maker or Lions. The 7/1 set included 2 songs from SYMM (2 of the 4 hits from SYMM), none from Lions. What I'm taking a long time to say is that they're playing from a "set" setlist. This is a far different band than what I saw three years ago on the Lions tour, when they could play any song from their catalog at any point -- with a new guitarist and bassist. I understand they've just gotten back together after a few years, and they're probably getting the new lineup familiar with the material.
The Crowes also worked against a terrible sound mix. Chris Robinson usually has a tendency to over-do his vocals live. His voice was under control, but the mix had him way too loud. This blows me away every time I'm at Marcus Amphitheater. Why doesn't the sound guy just grab an assistant and ask him to stand in the middle of the place -- right between the seats and the bleachers -- and just check if everything's in balance? How tough is that?
The good news -- the band looked like it was having a decent time. They only got an hour, which is bullshit, thanks to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers needing more than an hour to get their obnoxious stage set up. What's better, the best song they played was a new song (or a new cover, I'm not sure). Hopefully, they'll finish this tour strong and cut an album.
As far as TP, he was good. I've seen him before, and this time it struck me more than ever how he knows how to play to the crowd. He's really become a touring act . . . . which made it nice to hear a couple strange covers by The Animals and the Traveling Wilburys (I guess since TP was in the TWs, it wasn't a cover). They also played a new song from their upcoming album (late this year?) that sounded very good alongside the regulars. The crowd went nuts for the large number of Wildflowers songs, especially since he played some of the non-hits from that album.
Later on, I got free lawn seats to The Fray, The Pixies, and Weezer.
The Fray got a slight rip in the local rag that calls itself a paper. They only got 4 songs, so there's really not much to compliment or complain. I guess it's great exposure for a band that doesn't even have a full-length debut album out yet. They sounded good, very pop-friendly. Hook-y. I can hear them on the radio.
What's most telling about The Fray is The Pixies went on stage very shortly after The Fray left . . . and the first song, Bone Machine, made everyone forget about the opening band. It was kind of like watching MLB immediately after a couple innings of single-A ball. At first, I thought the Pixies would only get an hour. They zipped from song to song without a single word between songs. I think they may have once taken a 20 second break between songs, but that was just to switch guitars. Otherwise, they moved as fast as I've ever seen a band move. No fucking around. It was such a statement against how every other band on earth does things. When the set closed, the crowd went wild with a standing-O, and the band just stood there, giving a couple waves -- still no words -- and then walked off stage. No encore, no fucking around. They left it all onstage.
Weezer came on shortly thereafter. Played maybe five songs from the new album. Sounded good. But they had none of the urgency the Pixies gave. The opener -- Say It Ain't So -- was a strange choice. They gave a smattering from all the albums. But it was short -- just over an hour, including the two-song encore. And it's not like they were working against the Summerfest deadline; we left with plenty of time to kill. I originally thought the Pixies/Weezer double-billing was just out of respect for the Pixies. I assumed we'd get at least 90-100 minutes of Weezer. Not so. I guess it wouldn't bother me as much if Weezer played long, complicated songs. But they play short, simple pop songs. The set was easily 5-7 songs short.
***
CDs:
I got a chance to hear Coldplay's new one before it was released. Strong album. Sounds like a keeper, also sounds a lot like Coldplay. I'll probably buy it after it drops off the radio.
Also on the sometime to be purchased list: the new Better Than Ezra, the new Foo Fighters, the new Nada Surf, the new Oasis, the new Audioslave, and the new Stills. And maybe, just maybe, that new Willie reggae album.
***
Side note on SF--
I noticed the goths were a bit different this year. Usually, the large pack of goth kids just spread themselves along the rocks at the east end of the fest. This year, while still on the east end, they grouped together in a big circle, like a pack of resting dogs. They seemed to look out at all the "normals" with that great mix of anger, horror, and self-hate that only goths can meld together.
Why my book is going so slowly . . . .
What Bob Harris said is right: before you have kids, you think all about the crying and diapers and car seats. But once they're here, you want to be with them. That's not expected, not even when you're ready.
Quite possibly the most frightening man in America . . .
. . . yet I cannot look away. He is equally obnoxious and entertaining.
And for some reason, I want one of those Gazelles so bad.
And for some reason, I want one of those Gazelles so bad.
