Two weeks in a row for me at Friday Cheers. It may be a signal of the coming apocalypse.
Actually, I'd bought my ticket for tonight's Neko Case show months ago, thrilled at a chance to see her for only ten bucks.
J-Ward friends invited me to walk down to Brown's Island with them, but we couldn't align our schedules so I went alone.
Once on the island, I gravitated to a group of familiar faces, WRIR DJs mostly, but within moments, my neighbors appeared and I got to hear about her escapades last week as part of the James River Batteau Festival.
Let's just say now I know how those women pee off the sides of the boats.
We were in the middle of a discussion about the musical "Hair," which I'd seen last night and knew they'd love when I felt a shadow across me and there stood one of my favorite people, a guitarist and terrific conversationalist I hadn't seen in ages.
I accompanied him to get a beer bracelet and beer while we caught up with each other's lives.
By then Laura Viers had begun playing, sans band, so we parted ways and I found a spot under a tree with plenty of shade to watch her.
After a drummer joined her onstage, she brought up a discussion they'd had about the early modern English phrase "believe you me," which she didn't understand, nor did he. Come on, you two, it's verb-subject-object, as any language geek knows.
She did the lovely "Sun Song" and "July Flame," appropriate given how imminent July is.
July flame
ashes of a secret heart
falling in my lemonade
Unslakable thirsting in the back yard
Can I call you mine?
How does a woman who uses the word "unslakable" not get "believe you me"?
Kelly Hogan, Neko case's back-up singer, came out to join Laura, bringing her a cloth to wipe her sweat ("She's a true southern woman," Laura said) and they did a fabulous job on Daniel Johnston's "True Love Will Find You in the End."
I'm counting on it.
During the break, a 20-something guy sitting next to me struck up a conversation, asking me about my musical taste and sharing that he'd driven in from Lynchburg for the show.
A musician, he didn't have much good to say about Lynchburg's scene, meaning he often hit the road for musical reasons.
When he got up to go buy Laura Veirs' record, I made my way to the stage for Neko's set. Not long after it began, he showed up, record in hand to stand nearby.
Neko came out looking fabulous, as always, her red hair recognizable from 100 paces. But it's that distinctively beautiful voice that kills me.
It was during "This Tornado Loves You" that I noticed a guy up on the 7th Street bridge, taking pictures and watching everything from above.
A couple of songs in, she said, "I just want to thank Comfort for not making their cornbread too sweet or putting jalapenos in it. It was so good and now my belly is full," and here she gestured at her flat stomach, "of cornbread with a rice pudding hat on top. I'm like a python who just ate."
Before long she picked up her guitar to play it, the better, she said, to camouflage her "python."
Tonight's weather couldn't have been more different than last week's, the sun hidden behind clouds once she came on and a light breeze blowing over the packed crowd. "Look at that sexy river!" she called out.
"How are you doing, Richmond?" Neko asked. "I'm hot, sweaty and grody!" I was right there with her, especially after having sat on dirt and now sweating in the crowd.
Like the other times I've seen her perform, she'd put her hair up and soon let it down again, catnip to guys in the crowd.
And how's this for odd? I was standing there watching her when all of a sudden, Lynchburg guy puts his arm around my shoulder.
For a minute, I thought it was another friend - I'd seen the Hat, the neighbor, the drummer - approaching me from behind, but when I saw it was him, I whipped around and gave him the have-you-lost-your-mind look.
"I hope she does "People Got a Lotta Nerve," he said in all seriousness. "That song just gets inside my head."
Just keep your head and your hand to yourself, please.
I never tire of hearing "That Teenage Feeling" or the song about her first boyfriend "The Pharaohs" ("Still the best boyfriend I ever had," she said) and the band rocked out hard to "I'm a Man."
It was during that song that a train approached on the overhead track while people waved and the conductor blew the horn.
My high point was probably "Hold On," but at the end of their set, Neko said, "Thank you, Richmond and thank you, railroad train for honking. That may be the best moment of my life!"
I'm not sure about that, but tonight was the sixth time I've seen her in the past decade and easily the most fitting setting for the wild child that is Neko Case. Even she commented on the beauty of the setting multiple times.
After she sent us out into the night, I continued my evening at Holmes' abode for a dinner party, already in full swing when I arrived.
A good guest offers to help and my job was frying corn and tomatoes in rendered bacon fat, an easy enough job to do while sipping Prosecco.
Others manned the grill, steamed shrimp, set the table and changed the music, all with flutes in hand.
Our soundtrack varied from Dylan to a CD of music from the Kennedy White House - "Camelot," Chubby Checkers, Aaron Copland- eventually landing on a CD of the BeeGees number one hits before the night was over, the latter not to everyone's taste.
"None of these songs are in my top five BeeGees songs," Holmes grumbled to no one in particular.
Dinner was a veritable feast: steak, barbecued chicken, fresh North Carolina shrimp, the aforementioned bacon/corn/tomato medley, Asian marinated cucumber salad, two kinds of rice, the ripest sliced tomatoes with balsamic glaze and garlic cheese sticks.
There were toasts to friendship, a tale of private eyes on the divorce trail and stories of boyfriends taking sexy pictures of girlfriends. Dessert was Haagen Daz vanilla with fresh sliced peaches and caramel sauce, the nail in the coffin of the evening for those who'd been up since the crack of dawn today.
I was fine, but we're not talking about me.
Even the usual surefire method of opening a bottle of Graham Beck Brut Rose failed to entice those in a food coma.
And when pink bubbles fail to reignite this group, you'd better believe the apocalypse is nigh.
Showing posts with label Neko case. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neko case. Show all posts
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Saturday, July 14, 2012
People Got a Lotta Nerve
I don't care if forever never comes
'Cause I'm holding out for that teenage feeling
And what teenager wouldn't want to eat at the food court?
Our food court of choice was the Virginia Historical Society's food court and it was mobbed.
I had a first-timer with me, so we walked the length of the parking lot first to consider all the choices.
I opted for Sustenance's southern salad, an enticing combination of mixed greens, donut peach slices, artichokes, hearts of palm and Asiago in a Vidalia onion vinaigrette.
I took it to a table and set up camp while my partner in crime went off to score his dinner from the Boka truck.
When he returned with a pork belly taco and a short rib taco (with white beans and red wine au jus), we were all set.
Favorite taco: the long-cooked short ribs.
Our table was conveniently located next to the King of Pop truck, so without even standing up, we scored a fresh peach pop so frozen I had to put it between my legs to bring it to edible temperature.
And boy, was it good then. The pop was clearly made from peach pulp and juice.
How do I know?
Three bites immediately set off my peach allergy, causing the roof of my mouth to itch and my tongue to swell.
Even so, it was well worth it.
Before we left, we spent some time listening to the music of Grant Hunnicutt and Allison Self and company, doing bluegrass and Americana under a canopy on the grass.
When we finally tore ourselves away, it was to head to the National to see Neko Case.
Happily, we immediately ran into friends with tales of their recent trip to Italy.
Summary: the food is always good, the people always friendly and I probably need to make a visit.
Opening was Kelly Hogan, aka Neko Case's back-up singer, with her own band.
She did a short but strong set, covering Vic Chesnutt and John Wesley Harding, among others, in between all kinds of humorous remarks and tambourine shaking.
And then the red-headed one took the stage and all was right in my world.
I've probably seen Neko Case five or six times (not including seeing her withe the New Pornographers) and I never fail to be overcome with the sound of her distinctive voice.
How will you know if you found me at last?
Cause I'll be the one, be the one, be the one
With my heart in my lap
I'm so tired
I wish I was the moon tonight
To me, her humor is icing on the cake (and I'm sure her looks are the same to males).
After yet another heartbreaking song, she observed, "How f**king lame is it to tear up over your own song?"
Hogan piped up, saying, "Puffs, brought to you by Neko Case."
The crowd was an adoring one, singing along, but also annoying her.
"Those of you recording this, I see you," she said. "Just because Apple gives you an app doesn't mean you should use it. It makes us nervous, so stop."
I was gratified to see Security come over and tell a couple people near me to stop filming since Neko had specifically dictated no recording.
Come out to meet me
Run out to meet me
Come into the light
They referred to guitar player John as "Gandalf on pedal steel," a worthy compliment for a guy whose playing added immeasurably to her sound.
"You're putting me into hyper-swoon," she raved about him. That made two of us.
When Hogan mentioned the mu-mu she was wearing ("You could have a party in this dress!"), Neko agreed, saying her loose-fitting top did the same job of covering up her body flaws.
"My hip bones and my ribs touch," she admitted, making her my hero since mine do the same.
Short-waisted women of the world unite!
I can't give up acting tough
It's all that I'm made of
Can't scrape together quite enough
To ride the bus to the outskirts of the fact that I need love
During "This Tornado Loves You," my friend turned to me to say how much she loved the song.
I do, too, but given the lyrics, you could replace "tornado" with "Gemini" and it would totally work, I pointed out.
But then she's a Gemini, so she knew exactly what I meant.
But I know that I'm your favorite'
And I said "Amen"
And to the gospel of Neko Case, I too say a heartfelt "amen."
'Cause I'm holding out for that teenage feeling
And what teenager wouldn't want to eat at the food court?
Our food court of choice was the Virginia Historical Society's food court and it was mobbed.
I had a first-timer with me, so we walked the length of the parking lot first to consider all the choices.
I opted for Sustenance's southern salad, an enticing combination of mixed greens, donut peach slices, artichokes, hearts of palm and Asiago in a Vidalia onion vinaigrette.
I took it to a table and set up camp while my partner in crime went off to score his dinner from the Boka truck.
When he returned with a pork belly taco and a short rib taco (with white beans and red wine au jus), we were all set.
Favorite taco: the long-cooked short ribs.
Our table was conveniently located next to the King of Pop truck, so without even standing up, we scored a fresh peach pop so frozen I had to put it between my legs to bring it to edible temperature.
And boy, was it good then. The pop was clearly made from peach pulp and juice.
How do I know?
Three bites immediately set off my peach allergy, causing the roof of my mouth to itch and my tongue to swell.
Even so, it was well worth it.
Before we left, we spent some time listening to the music of Grant Hunnicutt and Allison Self and company, doing bluegrass and Americana under a canopy on the grass.
When we finally tore ourselves away, it was to head to the National to see Neko Case.
Happily, we immediately ran into friends with tales of their recent trip to Italy.
Summary: the food is always good, the people always friendly and I probably need to make a visit.
Opening was Kelly Hogan, aka Neko Case's back-up singer, with her own band.
She did a short but strong set, covering Vic Chesnutt and John Wesley Harding, among others, in between all kinds of humorous remarks and tambourine shaking.
And then the red-headed one took the stage and all was right in my world.
I've probably seen Neko Case five or six times (not including seeing her withe the New Pornographers) and I never fail to be overcome with the sound of her distinctive voice.
How will you know if you found me at last?
Cause I'll be the one, be the one, be the one
With my heart in my lap
I'm so tired
I wish I was the moon tonight
To me, her humor is icing on the cake (and I'm sure her looks are the same to males).
After yet another heartbreaking song, she observed, "How f**king lame is it to tear up over your own song?"
Hogan piped up, saying, "Puffs, brought to you by Neko Case."
The crowd was an adoring one, singing along, but also annoying her.
"Those of you recording this, I see you," she said. "Just because Apple gives you an app doesn't mean you should use it. It makes us nervous, so stop."
I was gratified to see Security come over and tell a couple people near me to stop filming since Neko had specifically dictated no recording.
Come out to meet me
Run out to meet me
Come into the light
They referred to guitar player John as "Gandalf on pedal steel," a worthy compliment for a guy whose playing added immeasurably to her sound.
"You're putting me into hyper-swoon," she raved about him. That made two of us.
When Hogan mentioned the mu-mu she was wearing ("You could have a party in this dress!"), Neko agreed, saying her loose-fitting top did the same job of covering up her body flaws.
"My hip bones and my ribs touch," she admitted, making her my hero since mine do the same.
Short-waisted women of the world unite!
I can't give up acting tough
It's all that I'm made of
Can't scrape together quite enough
To ride the bus to the outskirts of the fact that I need love
During "This Tornado Loves You," my friend turned to me to say how much she loved the song.
I do, too, but given the lyrics, you could replace "tornado" with "Gemini" and it would totally work, I pointed out.
But then she's a Gemini, so she knew exactly what I meant.
But I know that I'm your favorite'
And I said "Amen"
And to the gospel of Neko Case, I too say a heartfelt "amen."
Friday, August 12, 2011
This Tornado Loves You
It's official. I've now seen Neko Case in four cities, a personal record for any band.
I'd been looking forward to this show for ages. I had an entire day in Charlottesville planned around it. It was going to be spectacular and include all the elements I love.
But if you read the previous post, you know today got away from me. Today got the upper hand.
As it was I had just enough time to pick up my car, get cleaned up and make it to Charlottesville two songs into opener Doug Paisley's set.
As I walked into the Jefferson Theater for the first time, he was telling a story about mailing a package and being asked if it was perishable.
No, he said it was ephemeral and attributed being in a college town to both he and the clerk knowing the relationship between the two words.
His sad songs had a dreamy quality and his smart lyrics reflected a guy with a lot going on in his head. He closed with a stunner, "Come Here, My Love."
He suggested folks find him at the merch table after the show and compare accents (he's Canadian). He looked sad there, too.
Although the box office had signs up saying the show was sold out, it was obvious sold out has a different meaning at the Jefferson than at the National.
The place was full, but not anywhere near uncomfortably so.
Interestingly enough, the first place that filled up was the seated balcony. I saw a lot of people try to go upstairs, only to return and have to "settle" for standing.
I was right in front of the sound booth, as usual, and since the room is much smaller (I'd guess it holds about 600), it had a much more intimate feel than the National.
Neko Case came out, red hair aflame and looking lovely, and began things with "That Teenage Feeling" ("I don't care if forever never comes cause I'm holding out for that teenage feeling").
She had a four-piece band (upright bass, drums, guitar and pedal steel/banjo) and her regular backup singer, Hogan.
She chatted a lot with the audience (a talkative one unfortunately) about her band mates, about Kiss songs with flute parts ("That should never happen") and about her 1929 guitar.
Putting her electric guitar down, she said, "If you guys knew how dirty that guitar was, you'd be grossed out."
A fan yelled out a compliment about her toned arms, to which she replied, "Aw, shucks," before explaining the band's pre-show ritual.
"That's what we say to each other after we get dressed for a show: How do I look? Would you tap this?" she said to great laughter. "Then we say I would tap that with the light on."
There probably weren't many guys (and no doubt more than a few women) in the audience who wouldn't jump at the chance to tap Neko Case.
Her set rolled through so many beautiful songs (including the sad ones she said make her cry in rehearsal); she got big reactions to "Don't Forget Me," "Porchlight" and "Hold On," saving "Favorite" for part of the encore.
She must be a favorite of mine considering how many places and times I've seen her (and that doesn't even count with the New Pornographers).
I attribute it to that absolutely unique voice (which was in fine form tonight) and her repertoire of lost love songs.
She makes the perfect music to listen to when you want to wallow in what you don't have.
And if Neko Case is still working on getting it right, no wonder it's not falling in my lap.
Tap-worthy or not.
I'd been looking forward to this show for ages. I had an entire day in Charlottesville planned around it. It was going to be spectacular and include all the elements I love.
But if you read the previous post, you know today got away from me. Today got the upper hand.
As it was I had just enough time to pick up my car, get cleaned up and make it to Charlottesville two songs into opener Doug Paisley's set.
As I walked into the Jefferson Theater for the first time, he was telling a story about mailing a package and being asked if it was perishable.
No, he said it was ephemeral and attributed being in a college town to both he and the clerk knowing the relationship between the two words.
His sad songs had a dreamy quality and his smart lyrics reflected a guy with a lot going on in his head. He closed with a stunner, "Come Here, My Love."
He suggested folks find him at the merch table after the show and compare accents (he's Canadian). He looked sad there, too.
Although the box office had signs up saying the show was sold out, it was obvious sold out has a different meaning at the Jefferson than at the National.
The place was full, but not anywhere near uncomfortably so.
Interestingly enough, the first place that filled up was the seated balcony. I saw a lot of people try to go upstairs, only to return and have to "settle" for standing.
I was right in front of the sound booth, as usual, and since the room is much smaller (I'd guess it holds about 600), it had a much more intimate feel than the National.
Neko Case came out, red hair aflame and looking lovely, and began things with "That Teenage Feeling" ("I don't care if forever never comes cause I'm holding out for that teenage feeling").
She had a four-piece band (upright bass, drums, guitar and pedal steel/banjo) and her regular backup singer, Hogan.
She chatted a lot with the audience (a talkative one unfortunately) about her band mates, about Kiss songs with flute parts ("That should never happen") and about her 1929 guitar.
Putting her electric guitar down, she said, "If you guys knew how dirty that guitar was, you'd be grossed out."
A fan yelled out a compliment about her toned arms, to which she replied, "Aw, shucks," before explaining the band's pre-show ritual.
"That's what we say to each other after we get dressed for a show: How do I look? Would you tap this?" she said to great laughter. "Then we say I would tap that with the light on."
There probably weren't many guys (and no doubt more than a few women) in the audience who wouldn't jump at the chance to tap Neko Case.
Her set rolled through so many beautiful songs (including the sad ones she said make her cry in rehearsal); she got big reactions to "Don't Forget Me," "Porchlight" and "Hold On," saving "Favorite" for part of the encore.
She must be a favorite of mine considering how many places and times I've seen her (and that doesn't even count with the New Pornographers).
I attribute it to that absolutely unique voice (which was in fine form tonight) and her repertoire of lost love songs.
She makes the perfect music to listen to when you want to wallow in what you don't have.
And if Neko Case is still working on getting it right, no wonder it's not falling in my lap.
Tap-worthy or not.
Friday, January 15, 2010
It's Not About Wilco
I'm not a big Wilco fan, although I can appreciate their music and interesting musical journey.
I had no intention of going to the National to see them though.
But I am beyond impressed that a week after tickets for their March 29th show went on sale, it is sold out.
In a town notorious for waiting until the last possible minute to buy tickets, RVA has rallied and scarfed up every single ticket for a show that is two and a half months away.
And, as any regular concert-goer knows, we just don't do that, which makes this particularly notable.
I've been to more than a few sold-out shows at The National, among them MGMT, Neko Case, The Shins, My Bloody Valentine, The Decemberists and not one of those shows sold out so far in advance.
I remember a friend deciding to go to the Shins the day of the show, only to be surprised that it had sold out four days earlier.
Four days!
But Richmond has redeemed itself in my eyes.
True, it's not a show I had any desire to attend (unless I'd been offered a free ticket), but for those who did, committing early is a beautiful thing.
Could we maybe carry this over to future shows, demonstrating to the music world that we are worthy and will support touring bands before the day of the event?
I can only hope.
I had no intention of going to the National to see them though.
But I am beyond impressed that a week after tickets for their March 29th show went on sale, it is sold out.
In a town notorious for waiting until the last possible minute to buy tickets, RVA has rallied and scarfed up every single ticket for a show that is two and a half months away.
And, as any regular concert-goer knows, we just don't do that, which makes this particularly notable.
I've been to more than a few sold-out shows at The National, among them MGMT, Neko Case, The Shins, My Bloody Valentine, The Decemberists and not one of those shows sold out so far in advance.
I remember a friend deciding to go to the Shins the day of the show, only to be surprised that it had sold out four days earlier.
Four days!
But Richmond has redeemed itself in my eyes.
True, it's not a show I had any desire to attend (unless I'd been offered a free ticket), but for those who did, committing early is a beautiful thing.
Could we maybe carry this over to future shows, demonstrating to the music world that we are worthy and will support touring bands before the day of the event?
I can only hope.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
My Favorite Music of 2009
I'm finally posting my Best Music of 2009 list, complete with justifications and occasional long-winded back stories. Five of the bands on my list I also saw live in 2009 (and three of them prior to that) and several others are on my wish list for seeing live in 2010. So here goes:
Fanfarlo: Reservoir because I think this album is flawless start to finish. There's not a weak song on it and it's an amazing debut for a band with the ability to play any and every instrument. I will always feel fortunate to have seen them with only 100 other devoted fans at the tiny Iota.
Passion Pit: Manners because no one reinvents 70s dance music so well. Also, for its back story; any band whose starting point is a guy writing a collection of songs for his girlfriend for Valentine's Day is a guy I want to listen to. A real shame that more people weren't at this show.
Neko Case: Middle Cyclone because she's Neko Case. Because she deigns to sing for us. Because she's had a hard time with her love life. Just because of that voice. I saw her twice this year, if that tells you anything.
The Decemberists: Hazards of Love because who else wrote a rock opera on this most intimate of subjects in 2009? Because even though seeing them in early 2007 was a far more transcendental experience than this year's show, they have a gift that no one else does.
Grizzly Bear: Vekatimest because of their unique acoustic sound and to-die-for vocal harmonies. Their combination of psychedelic, pop and folk is incredibly alluring to me, especially live, even if Norva crowds are obnoxious.
Yo La Tengo: Popular Songs because a band that can remain this creative after 25 years together is doing a whole lot right. Yes, you could call them shoegaze or noise pop and definitely experimental, but they never cease to impress me. And their live show in C-ville last year with its listening room environment is forever etched in my head.
Muse: Uprising because they make an amazing amount of sound for just three skinny Brits. Their symphonic (bombastic even) sound is unlike anything else I regularly listen to. I saw them back in 2007 at W & M and lamented that they were only the opening band.
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion because someone needs to move the neo-psychedelic banner forward and these guys are just the ones to do it. Listening to this album is an exercise in pure sound and endless texture, no drug enhancement needed.
Great Lake Swimmers: Lost Channels because I love this whole folk resurgence going on now. GLS make pretty music and I mean that in the most complimentary way. Their incredible harmonies are the stuff of lost love and hope.
The XX: The Xx because of its spare sound, haunting male and female vocalists and because it's night time music. Listening to this album is like having an audio dream. I'd like to take it out of my CD player and give it a rest, but I can't bring myself to do it.
My only entry in the Best EP category is Bon Iver's Blood Bank and I include it for sentimental reasons. When I first discovered Bon Iver last year, it was the full-length "For Emma, Forever Ago" which took on a whole new meaning for me after the personal trauma of my life early this year.
Musician Justin Vernon created that album as a way of dealing with the breakup of his band, his relationship and being sick with mononucleosis.
Since I had been laid off, dumped and hospitalized for pneumonia, I could seriously relate to his pain.
He created heartfelt music in order to stay sane and I'm still trying to figure out what I can create to do the same. Blood Bank is his most beautiful song to date, hence the EP's inclusion here.
I know my list would not match another human being's on the planet and I'm okay with that. I took a lot of pleasure from these albums in 2009 and, god knows, I needed it.
Music and love are the essentials of life and since one was absent from mine, the other took on an even greater importance.
So thank you to these musicians for giving me part of what I needed in 2009.
Fanfarlo: Reservoir because I think this album is flawless start to finish. There's not a weak song on it and it's an amazing debut for a band with the ability to play any and every instrument. I will always feel fortunate to have seen them with only 100 other devoted fans at the tiny Iota.
Passion Pit: Manners because no one reinvents 70s dance music so well. Also, for its back story; any band whose starting point is a guy writing a collection of songs for his girlfriend for Valentine's Day is a guy I want to listen to. A real shame that more people weren't at this show.
Neko Case: Middle Cyclone because she's Neko Case. Because she deigns to sing for us. Because she's had a hard time with her love life. Just because of that voice. I saw her twice this year, if that tells you anything.
The Decemberists: Hazards of Love because who else wrote a rock opera on this most intimate of subjects in 2009? Because even though seeing them in early 2007 was a far more transcendental experience than this year's show, they have a gift that no one else does.
Grizzly Bear: Vekatimest because of their unique acoustic sound and to-die-for vocal harmonies. Their combination of psychedelic, pop and folk is incredibly alluring to me, especially live, even if Norva crowds are obnoxious.
Yo La Tengo: Popular Songs because a band that can remain this creative after 25 years together is doing a whole lot right. Yes, you could call them shoegaze or noise pop and definitely experimental, but they never cease to impress me. And their live show in C-ville last year with its listening room environment is forever etched in my head.
Muse: Uprising because they make an amazing amount of sound for just three skinny Brits. Their symphonic (bombastic even) sound is unlike anything else I regularly listen to. I saw them back in 2007 at W & M and lamented that they were only the opening band.
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion because someone needs to move the neo-psychedelic banner forward and these guys are just the ones to do it. Listening to this album is an exercise in pure sound and endless texture, no drug enhancement needed.
Great Lake Swimmers: Lost Channels because I love this whole folk resurgence going on now. GLS make pretty music and I mean that in the most complimentary way. Their incredible harmonies are the stuff of lost love and hope.
The XX: The Xx because of its spare sound, haunting male and female vocalists and because it's night time music. Listening to this album is like having an audio dream. I'd like to take it out of my CD player and give it a rest, but I can't bring myself to do it.
My only entry in the Best EP category is Bon Iver's Blood Bank and I include it for sentimental reasons. When I first discovered Bon Iver last year, it was the full-length "For Emma, Forever Ago" which took on a whole new meaning for me after the personal trauma of my life early this year.
Musician Justin Vernon created that album as a way of dealing with the breakup of his band, his relationship and being sick with mononucleosis.
Since I had been laid off, dumped and hospitalized for pneumonia, I could seriously relate to his pain.
He created heartfelt music in order to stay sane and I'm still trying to figure out what I can create to do the same. Blood Bank is his most beautiful song to date, hence the EP's inclusion here.
I know my list would not match another human being's on the planet and I'm okay with that. I took a lot of pleasure from these albums in 2009 and, god knows, I needed it.
Music and love are the essentials of life and since one was absent from mine, the other took on an even greater importance.
So thank you to these musicians for giving me part of what I needed in 2009.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
I'll Judge Yours If You Judge Mine
It's that time of year when music geeks are furiously trying to decide what to put on their Best of 2009 lists.
Shoot, I've been compiling a list since early summer, adding to it occasionally and crossing others off when something even more impressive comes along.
We music geeks take our lists seriously (and it didn't hurt that I had nothing better to do).
Yesterday I got a tentative list from my music geek friend Andrew and it's a whopping 25 CD scroll!
I understand why; it is difficult to winnow down a year's worth of good music to just ten or even a dozen CDs.
Also, he included local bands on his list and I purposely did not, preferring to make that a completely separate list for my own purposes.
I found it fascinating to read his list because as much as we discuss music, which is every single time we see each other and via e-mail, I was still surprised at some of what was on his list.
He was the one who gave me Great Northern's "Remind Me Where the Light Is" and never really mentioned it much again.
When we were driving home from the Raveonettes show in DC, I played that CD non-stop for the entire trip back and he didn't say a word.
Oh, wait, he might have been sleeping.
And speaking of the Raveonettes, "In and Out of Control" will most definitely be on my list but I didn't expect to see it on his.
This CD has far less of a recorded-in-a-cave sound, which pleases him because he's less of a cave-lover than I am, but I had no idea it was Top 25 list material for him.
Maybe I'm making a cave convert out of him (next up: The Twilight Sad?).
And Guggenheim Grotto?
I got this CD a solid year ago and rushed off to Charlottesville to see them by myself last winter without any idea that he was a fan.
It was an intimate and amazing show, but why the hell did I go alone, I'm wondering?
Next time I'll ask.
I started pushing Passion Pit's "Manners" on all my friends hard late last spring, even more so once their show at the National was announced for June.
Their very 70s-based dance music for non-dance music lovers is one of my favorites and still in regular rotation, but I hadn't realized how highly it rated with Andrew.
And Neko Case, of course.
I saw her twice this year (only once with Andrew), and the cover art of "Middle Cyclone" is probably the best CD cover of the past five years, IMHO.
Every time I listen to her sing, I want to cry or have an in-depth conversation with her about men.
That voice, that attitude!
I see that after much internal deliberation, Andrew included The Decemberist's "Hazards of Love" and I know this caused him much soul-searching because he hated putting something on his list that was on every other critic's best of list.
Sometimes, my friend, there's a reason why everyone acknowledges a CD.
No surprise that Plushguns' "Pins and Panzers" was one of Andrew's favorites.
When we discovered them in 2008, we were both terribly impressed with what a guy in his Brooklyn bedroom could make for sound.
But that show at Alley Katz, complete with glow sticks, sealed the deal.
We're undoubtedly among the few putting this CD on our end-of-year lists, but only because not enough people have experienced it.
Their loss.
I could go through the rest of my friend's list, but perhaps I'd better finish up my own instead.
He probably wants to judge mine as much as he wanted me to peruse his.
And then, like two lawyers battling a case, we'll have the epic Best of 2009 List discussion.
It could go on for days.
Shoot, I've been compiling a list since early summer, adding to it occasionally and crossing others off when something even more impressive comes along.
We music geeks take our lists seriously (and it didn't hurt that I had nothing better to do).
Yesterday I got a tentative list from my music geek friend Andrew and it's a whopping 25 CD scroll!
I understand why; it is difficult to winnow down a year's worth of good music to just ten or even a dozen CDs.
Also, he included local bands on his list and I purposely did not, preferring to make that a completely separate list for my own purposes.
I found it fascinating to read his list because as much as we discuss music, which is every single time we see each other and via e-mail, I was still surprised at some of what was on his list.
He was the one who gave me Great Northern's "Remind Me Where the Light Is" and never really mentioned it much again.
When we were driving home from the Raveonettes show in DC, I played that CD non-stop for the entire trip back and he didn't say a word.
Oh, wait, he might have been sleeping.
And speaking of the Raveonettes, "In and Out of Control" will most definitely be on my list but I didn't expect to see it on his.
This CD has far less of a recorded-in-a-cave sound, which pleases him because he's less of a cave-lover than I am, but I had no idea it was Top 25 list material for him.
Maybe I'm making a cave convert out of him (next up: The Twilight Sad?).
And Guggenheim Grotto?
I got this CD a solid year ago and rushed off to Charlottesville to see them by myself last winter without any idea that he was a fan.
It was an intimate and amazing show, but why the hell did I go alone, I'm wondering?
Next time I'll ask.
I started pushing Passion Pit's "Manners" on all my friends hard late last spring, even more so once their show at the National was announced for June.
Their very 70s-based dance music for non-dance music lovers is one of my favorites and still in regular rotation, but I hadn't realized how highly it rated with Andrew.
And Neko Case, of course.
I saw her twice this year (only once with Andrew), and the cover art of "Middle Cyclone" is probably the best CD cover of the past five years, IMHO.
Every time I listen to her sing, I want to cry or have an in-depth conversation with her about men.
That voice, that attitude!
I see that after much internal deliberation, Andrew included The Decemberist's "Hazards of Love" and I know this caused him much soul-searching because he hated putting something on his list that was on every other critic's best of list.
Sometimes, my friend, there's a reason why everyone acknowledges a CD.
No surprise that Plushguns' "Pins and Panzers" was one of Andrew's favorites.
When we discovered them in 2008, we were both terribly impressed with what a guy in his Brooklyn bedroom could make for sound.
But that show at Alley Katz, complete with glow sticks, sealed the deal.
We're undoubtedly among the few putting this CD on our end-of-year lists, but only because not enough people have experienced it.
Their loss.
I could go through the rest of my friend's list, but perhaps I'd better finish up my own instead.
He probably wants to judge mine as much as he wanted me to peruse his.
And then, like two lawyers battling a case, we'll have the epic Best of 2009 List discussion.
It could go on for days.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Neko Case Redux
Didn't I just post about seeing Neko Case a few months ago?
Well, yes I did, but that didn't stop me from heading to Norfolk last evening to see her for the second time in less than four months.
Actually, what's more amazing than wanting to hear that voice again is that I was willing to make one of my least favorite drives...east on 64.
Hate the road, hate the traffic, hate the lack of view.
But it was all worth it when she took the stage at the Norva and graced us with that unique voice of hers.
As someone once said to me, "Oh, come on, no one else sounds like that!"
Even after being shocked by her microphone ("This thing shocked the shit out of me," she said, "and burnt the inside of my mouth."), she continued without missing a beat.
Surprisingly (or maybe not for Norfolk) the show was nothing like sold out.
In fact, there were even bar tables and stools set up at the back of the floor (as I had seen once before for Pete Yorn there) because there was enough room to do so.
After the sold-out show at The National, it was kind of nice to hear Neko without being shoulder to shoulder with the masses.
Actually, it's kind of nice to hear Neko Case anytime...anywhere.
Even if driving back at 1:30 a.m. gets a little lonely.
Ah, well. It gave me time to dream of better days...
Well, yes I did, but that didn't stop me from heading to Norfolk last evening to see her for the second time in less than four months.
Actually, what's more amazing than wanting to hear that voice again is that I was willing to make one of my least favorite drives...east on 64.
Hate the road, hate the traffic, hate the lack of view.
But it was all worth it when she took the stage at the Norva and graced us with that unique voice of hers.
As someone once said to me, "Oh, come on, no one else sounds like that!"
Even after being shocked by her microphone ("This thing shocked the shit out of me," she said, "and burnt the inside of my mouth."), she continued without missing a beat.
Surprisingly (or maybe not for Norfolk) the show was nothing like sold out.
In fact, there were even bar tables and stools set up at the back of the floor (as I had seen once before for Pete Yorn there) because there was enough room to do so.
After the sold-out show at The National, it was kind of nice to hear Neko without being shoulder to shoulder with the masses.
Actually, it's kind of nice to hear Neko Case anytime...anywhere.
Even if driving back at 1:30 a.m. gets a little lonely.
Ah, well. It gave me time to dream of better days...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
I Know That I'm Your Favorite
Neko Case is one of those artists with appeal to a widely varying audience. Last night's show at the National proved that, with everything from friends who had never been to the venue before(how is that possible? I feel like it's my second home) to friends whom I'd seen there at the Mates of State/Black Kids show just last week.
Perhaps it's her amazing voice that draws from so many kinds of music lovers; certainly there's no denying that a large part of the male portion of the audience lust after her. She rewarded them with near-constant rearranging of her hair, putting it up and letting it down in turn. No question, she gives red hair a good name.
Crooked Fingers opened the show and delivered an excellent set, no doubt winning over those who profess not to like folk-tinged indie rock. Their performance demonstrated why Neko herself is a fan, having done a guest vocal on their latest CD.
While the show didn't sell out, it had to have come close, with everyone standing shoulder to shoulder. Luckily, Neko's fans are, for the most part, a civilized bunch, so the large crowd size was not a negative factor.
And perhaps most impressively, Neko forbade cameras of any kind, which meant no one was allowed to use their cell phones during her show. I'm sure plenty of people were going through withdrawal, but for some of us, it was a happy night. Security people warned the crowd ahead of time that phones would be confiscated if used. That's the world I want to live in all the time.
And kudos to Neko Case for making it happen, all the while serenading us with that magnificent voice. It was another good night at the National.
Perhaps it's her amazing voice that draws from so many kinds of music lovers; certainly there's no denying that a large part of the male portion of the audience lust after her. She rewarded them with near-constant rearranging of her hair, putting it up and letting it down in turn. No question, she gives red hair a good name.
Crooked Fingers opened the show and delivered an excellent set, no doubt winning over those who profess not to like folk-tinged indie rock. Their performance demonstrated why Neko herself is a fan, having done a guest vocal on their latest CD.
While the show didn't sell out, it had to have come close, with everyone standing shoulder to shoulder. Luckily, Neko's fans are, for the most part, a civilized bunch, so the large crowd size was not a negative factor.
And perhaps most impressively, Neko forbade cameras of any kind, which meant no one was allowed to use their cell phones during her show. I'm sure plenty of people were going through withdrawal, but for some of us, it was a happy night. Security people warned the crowd ahead of time that phones would be confiscated if used. That's the world I want to live in all the time.
And kudos to Neko Case for making it happen, all the while serenading us with that magnificent voice. It was another good night at the National.
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