MUSIC THREAD

Mentioned this elsewhere, but I'm a big fan of www.finetune.com

Like Pandora, but better.

 

The Southeastern chapter of SportsJournalists.com is probably familiar with this band and after seeing them in concert last night, I was about to start a thread about them until I stumbled across this one.

I'm talking about Sister Hazel.

Saw them through my co-worker, who knows two of the band members through her U of Florida days, at this waterfront bar in Isle of Palms, SC. Even though they had a top-10 hit 10 years ago with "All for You," my West Coastness and dinosaur rock passions precluded hearing of them until last week because they're playing the pro-am dinner at the tournament I'm at this week.

They're an alternative, Southern rock band, if that explains anything to the uninitiated. I guess the best comparison would be Hootie and the Blowfish, although Sister Hazel is a lot harder edged.

Regardless, I was very, very impressed. The CD purchases are forthcoming.

 

I have a good friend whose favorite band is Sister Hazel. I dunno if they've made enough of a mark on me to eagerly purchase much of the group's discography, but they're listenable - if there's such a word. :-\

 

Sister Hazel has one big hit which I liked very much. We don't hear a lot about them here.

 

The Hold Steady!

 

I need to check out the Hold Steady. The band, especially lead singer Craig Finn, are huge Springsteen fans, if the way Finn was into Rosalita is any indiciation:

 

i saw the hold steady a few weeks ago. they are something else. i had a pretty sweet week concert wise: hold steady first, arcade fire last.

and in your honor, i'm going to go home and play the 75-85 live box set i got last week. i've been singing the live version of "spirit in the night" all night in my head.

"We'll pick up Hazy Davy and Killer Joe
and I'll take you all out to where the gypsy angels go
They're built like light
and they dance like spirits in the night!"

 

I just discovered that the Pitchfork Music Festival (http://pitchforkmusicfestival.com) is going on the same weekend that I'll be in Chicago. I'm definitely looking forward to hitting up the Sunday shows -- especially The New Pornographers and Of Montreal.

 

Mastodon followed by Iron & Wine on Saturday should make for a jarring combination.

 

Mastodon is quite possibly the best live band on the planet right now.

 

I bet I was at the same game.

 

Has anyone heard the new Linkin Park? I especially liked the last CD, so I'm curious.