MUSIC THREAD

Hah, I'm just now getting into "Oh, Inverted World." I'll pick up the new record in time ...

 

I don't know if I put it on here, but it's as good a place as any.

For about a year, I've randomly posted on here about a Canadian pop group I really dug when I went to Nova Scotia several years back. Could never remember the name.

The Philosopher Kings.


There. I feel better.

 

That's not on my list. I've got a gift card to burn and that CD will be among the purchases with it. If the other tracks are anywhere near "Phantom Limb," I'll be playing this CD on a loop driving to and from work for the next month.

Not entirely sure what they're saying all the time, I must admit that, but they make some damn good songs.

 

If any of you folks get a chance to see Jeff Tweedy perform solo, I highly recommend it. You realize what an amazing singer/songwriter he is. He was doing Uncle Tupelo stuff, Wilco stuff, some Woody Guthrie covers. He even did a couple of tunes without a mike, just got up at the front of the stage and belted 'em out. Plus, he's a funny guy. He was joking with the audience and taking requests. There were a lot of meatballs in the crowd who were talking during the gig. Tweedy was a good sport about it, saying that it's their choice to talk during a show they paid money for, whatever.

 

Before Kazaa became too dangerous, I downloaded a full solo concert from Mr. Tweedy. One of my favorite albums on my MP3 player. He sounds fantastic and sure he was live. It also helped me figure out a lot of his songs. It's a testament to what a great songwriter he is that his songs sound as good/interesting by himself as with all that psychedelic wall of sound.

Damn my 4-hour drive to the nearest big city where I can see him.

I've heard so much about the Shins. Someone convince a Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith, Townes Van Zandt and Wilco fan that I would like them.

 

Well, I'm a big fan of Dylan, Elliott Smith and Wilco, and I like the Shins a lot. They're very melodic and poppy. They throw in stuff to sweeten their songs, like pedal steel or nice harmony vocals or even hip-hop beats. The singer has a good voice, with kind of a yearning quality.

 

I really liked the Old 97s, they are kind of a slower paced rock from the songs I've listened to and I am digging it.
The Waco Brothers I thought were OK, but had a little too much country twang to them.
I found it pretty strange the Refreshments wrote the King of the Hill theme. I never knew that was an actual song, not just something made for the show. They seem pretty cool, from what little I've heard so far.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will update you again EStreet after I listen to more songs.

 

Glad you're liking the Old 97s and I'm sure you'll like the Refreshments the more you hear. Which Waco Brothers did you listen to? Some of their stuff has more country twang than other songs.

 

I stood next to Mr. Durden during this show and I stand four-square behind his comments on Tweedy's abilities. I was a little more bothered by the crowd antics during the show, including the super-dork who stood behind the soundboard with his microphones clothes-pinned to his visor. I love the fact that Tweedy allows taping, but this dork wanted to control the crowd and shout his own damn requests and lame crowd banter.

There was far too much talking going on at the show (House of Blues, NOLA), and Tweedy eventually stepped out from behind the mic and sang several songs unamplified to get folks to shut up. Some others in the crowds were dicks, too. My girlfriend, who had never heard of Wilco/Tweedy until we started dating, accompanied for her first show. She liked him until she had to go the bathroom (a little bit of a rookie mistake, but still) and got harrassed by the superfans. "How can you go to the bathroom in the middle of the show, you suck." And wouldn't let her back to where we were standing. I might be prejudiced because she's my girlfriend, but cut her some slack. She only takes up about 6 square inches of floor space.

 

Sigh....I'm so freakin' jealous. I saw Wilco there a couple of years ago. It's a great venue (Love the no smoking.) I think the problem with talking during his show is that people aren't used to seeing him solo. Just a theory, but guys that are solo folkies on their albums attract a quieter crowd. I've heard Gillian Welch concert and the crowd was very attentive and polite.

I saw a Lucinda Williams show there last year where she was only accompanied by an electric guitarist. One of the best shows I've ever been to. Hearing the post-Katrina crowd sing along to "2 Cool to Be Forgetten" was touching/sad/beautiful.

 

Is it okay that I really like "Lucky Town" by Bruce Springsteen? I've always been a bit of a Boss snob -- Nebraska is my favorite of his records -- but I can't remember if Lucky Town is all right to like or not.

Either way, I've just listened to it, like, a bajillion times in a row.

 

Lucky Town is a great album that its perfectly fine to like. On the other hand, you could get chastised for liking the Human Touch album more.