Why do many people do the things they do? Are they things that people really want to do? Or are they things that society tells them to do? These are vague questions, but are good starting points.
I'm starting to come to the realization that a lot of what society conditions us to think and do is bullshit. We have to go to school from the time we are 18 to about 22. Then we have to get a certain level job and reach a certain point in that job by the time we're a certain age. We have to get married and have kids and a certain point in our life. Certain drugs are bad. You have to believe in God. If we don't reach certain points in our lives and accomplish certain things then we are considered failures or losers. If we have views on certain things then we were outcasts or misguided.
I'm not writing this because I feel like I'm viewed as an outcast or a loser. Quite the opposite. I have a fairly decent job. I'm about to get a Master's degree. I'm 27 and single, but that's fine. By society's standards I am just about where I need to be. But dig a little deeper and you'll find someone who doesn't want to conform to what society says he should do. At risk of totally attaching labels to things, I sort of think like a hippie.
1) I'm not completely with the idea of marriage. I guess it is what you make of it, but it just doesn't appeal to me. Many people would tell me that I just haven't met the right woman. That may be true, but I don't know. I just know that I would have a hard time getting into that sort of financial committment with a woman. Most marriages fail because people grow and start wanting different things. Finances also play a huge part in failed marriages. I hate to use the word "fail". I guess it's more like the marriages don't last. I believe that many people get married because that's what they're supposed to do. Too many people settle on somebody and are miserable for the rest of their lives, unless they get divorced (which I honestly think is a totally acceptable option).
2) So many people let their jobs run their lives. Unless you're saving lives, there's a good chance that you're worrying too much about your job. I've always worked to live, not lived to work. I'll get my job done because other people are counting on me, but I refuse to let it fuck up my life outside of work. I refuse to sit at home and stress about work. Show me a job that does that to me and I'll show you a job that I used to have. Society tells us that our work lives are just as important as our home lives and that it is alright to sacrifice happiness to get ahead in the business world.
3) The war on drugs is pretty ridiculous to a certain extent. Society places a stigma on certain drugs. Marijuana is taboo in this country, but for what good reasons? People legally drink alcohol and it arguably has much worse effects than marijuana. That's because there's an established economy with alcohol, so it is acceptable to sell and consume it. If someone wants to unwind in the privacy of their own home and smoke a joint then it's a bad thing. With no real good reason other than society tells us that it's bad. Heroin, cocaine, meth and other processed drugs that cause ridiculous amounts of crime are drugs that I think SHOULD be taboo. People should be able to smoke weed and visit the magical mushroom kingdom in private. It's a problem when it starts running your life and prohibits you from fulfilling work and family obligations.
4) Most of society believes that there is a god. There are many religions, but most people identify with some sort of higher power. I'll fully admit that I don't believe in god. It amazes me that people think it's strange that I don't believe in something that cannot be proven. Often times, common sense goes out the window when religion enters the picture. Have your religion, that's fine, but don't look at ME as the delusional one when I'm simply saying that I don't have proof there's a god and I think The Bible is fiction. I believe that many people claim to identify with a religion because that's what is accepted in society.
Those are just brief writeups of things I can go on and on about. Here is the crux of it. Live, love and be happy. Don't be afraid to question things that you feel are ridiculous just because there's some sort of pressure on you. Just because the majority think a certain way doesn't mean it's the correct way to think. Do some true digging and find out what makes you happy. Don't settle. If you do those things and find out that religion, marriage and all of that truly make you happy then so be it. If not, don't be afraid to stand up and tell society that what you are seeing and hearing is bullshit.
I think the hippies are more in touch with reality than I ever gave them credit for.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Top 30 Concerts of 2008
I'll get to writing an actual blog with non-music stuff soon. But since the year is coming to a close, I'd thought I'd let you know about my top concerts of 2008. I've seen a decent amount of bands this year and some really memorable shows. Here is the top 30:
30) MGMT (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): I saw them at Bonnaroo a couple of months prior and only caught a few songs. I was a little underwhelmed and was wanting to head back to That Tent for another band. When I saw them at Lolla, they were a little better. Maybe it's because I was more familiar with the music. They came out with one of my favorite albums of the year.
29) The Toadies (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): I didn't necessarily SEE this band as much as I heard them. They played after Lupe Fiasco and I was listening while I was waiting for Rage Against The Machine. They had a lot of songs I forgot about and had a ton of energy.
28) Grupo Fantasma (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I had never even heard of them until they hit the stage. I was actually walking from MGMT and wanted a good spot for The Sword. They are a latin-based band that is just really fun. I couldn't tell you the names or lyrics to any of the songs, but I know I danced my ass off.
27) Iron & Wine (Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque, NM): I expected him to be a very boring opener for The Swell Season. Even though it was kind of the polar opposite of Grupo Fantasma, I still respected the music. It was enjoyable for what it was. And The Swell Season came out to do a cover of Neil Young's "Albuquerque" so that helped.
26) Sigur Ros (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I know some of you may be surprised because you know how big of a Sigur Ros fan I am, but these were weird circumstances. It was an odd combination of exhaustion and bickering that led me to go back to my tent and go to sleep. What I did see (roughly 3 songs) did motivate me to see them again in September. The music was pretty on point and Jonsi's voice grabbed my attention right away.
25) Adele (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This is another artist who I first heard not too long ago. I actually listened to her stuff about a week before the festival and decided I at least wanted to check out some of the show. I had a blast. Forget Amy Winehouse or Lily Allen, I would take Adele. Girl's got a lot of soul.
24) Jack Johnson (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I was expecting to see one of the most bland shows of my life. He completely exceeded my expectations. I checked out the entire show mainly because I wanted a good spot for Pearl Jam. He actually had good production value and some upbeat songs. I still lounged a bit, but I can honestly say that it was an enjoyable set. Plus, Eddie Vedder came out and did a song with him.
23) Atmosphere (Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM): I didn't stay for THAT long because I was tired from waiting forever and sitting through a couple of shitty acts. I like the new material that I heard and of course they did their old standard "Gold Loves Ugly." It is one of the better hip-hop shows there is to see, in my opinion.
22) Iron Maiden (Journal Pavilion in Albuquerque, NM): I got a lot of shit from some people (well, mostly one) for even going to this show, but I'm glad I went. I'm not a huge Iron Maiden fan, but I managed to get a really good spot and I had never seen them. They opened with "Aces High" and kept the energy going from there. The stage production was pretty cool and Bruce Dickinson still has a bunch of energy.
21) B.B. King (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This was my first time seeing the King and it was pretty good. He's real old and has to sit in his chair the entire show, but he's pretty entertaining. He has a lot of cool stories from his many years in music and can still wail on his guitiar named "Lucille." I just thought to myself a few times during the show "Holy shit, I'm watching B.B. King". Good stuff.
20) Lupe Fiasco (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): He became more of an entertainer since I last saw him at Vegoose in 2007. He makes the show fun and has a pretty decent supporting band. The highlight of the show for me was probably "Go Go Gadget Flow".
19) Lez Zeppelin (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): Yes...."Lez" not "Led". They're an all-female Led Zeppelin cover band. These girls kicked so much ass. I'm so happy I decided to stick around and watch the show. They made a believer out of me by simply doing "Dazed and Confused" and "Whole Lotta Love." They aren't just a gimmicky band, they can really pull off a nice live experience.
18) Jose Gonzalez (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): First, I want you to take a moment to notice where most of these shows are coming from. Bonnaroo. What an amazing weekend. Anyway, this was the 2nd time I had seen Jose Gonzalez. I have tons of respect for his guitar skills. His finger picking style is infectious and his voice really fits the style. If you're a fan of pure guitar playing then Gonzalez is definitely worth checking out.
17) Coheed & Cambria (Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, NM): I really think this band is an acquired taste, but they've put on a good show both times I've seen them. It's fun to watch Claudio Sanchez up on stage shredding on the guitar. Highlights were "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3" and "Welcome Home." Side note: The worst band I saw all year, Secret Machines, was the opener.
16) Back Door Slam (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This is a rock band from England with a blues edge who I first heard about a week before the Roo. They're the first band I saw that weekend that really made an impression on me. They played with a lot of energy and prompted me to buy their CD when I got back in town.
15) Ozomatli (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): Ozo has produced a great time ALL 5 times I have seen them. This was the only time in 2008. I was wondering how their show would translate onto the main stage at Bonnaroo, rather than a more intimate setting. Well, they were still very energetic and make me dance my ass off. They just bring it every time and I can really tell they love what they're doing.
14) Kings of Leon (Austin Music Hall in Austin, TX): They have a reputation for not being the best showmen on stage and I can sorta see that. They don't really act like rock stars up there. The music was quality though and I had a good spot just a few rows from the stage. Even though they didn't play "Black Thumbnail", I still like what they did with "Closer" and "Crawl."
13) The Sword (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): The first time I saw them was at The Launchpad in Albuquerque and it was pretty good but the sound kinda sucked. Needless to say, the sound was MUCH better at Roo. I was almost front and center and they just destroyed my face. They were the best band I saw at Roo on Thursday night. They play the type of metal that still resonates with me.
12) The Black Keys (Red Rocks in Morrison, CO): The duo from Akron, Ohio released my favorite album of 2008. I was really happy to see them open for My Morning Jacket at my favorite venue. Though I wish they would've played "Lies", I can see what they were going for with just a 45-minute set. They wanted to keep it more upbeat the entire time. "Strange Times" was my favorite song of the set.
11) The Raconteurs (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): It was so so tough to keep them out of the top 10. They absolutely killed at the Roo. I left The Swell Season's performance in This Tent so I could catch The Racs' entire set. They opened with "Consoler of the Lonely" and didn't let up. "Many Shades of Black" was another one of my highlights and they had the perfect closer in "Carolina Drama." Jack White is simply an amazing musician and it was a treat to him perform with an awesome band.
10) The Swell Season (Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque, NM): I was introduced to this group in May and I didn't think it would be my style. Something like this, singer-songwriter, usually wouldn't be. They have such an epic sound, though, that they cannot be ignored. The sound translates wonderfully in a live setting as well. Not only did they have a crisp sound, but Glen Hansard is one of the better frontmen in music right now. His might be the most engaging lead singer I have ever seen. That made the show that much more enjoyable. I really dug "Fitzcarraldo" and "Say It To Me Now."
9) Metallica (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I've been a fan of Metallica since close to the time they released the self-titled black album. That was in 1991. In all that time, I had never had a chance to see them. They were one of the main reasons I went to Bonnaroo. The show was damn good. Chris Rock did a great stand-up routine before they hit the stage then he introduced them. They went right into "Creeping Death", just tearing through it. The pyros and war sound effects set the tone in a perfect way for "One." I was also happy they played "Fade To Black" Maybe the best thing about the show was they only played one song post 1991. And that was a tolerable one in "Memory Remains."
8) Calexico (Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, NM): This was actually a last-minute decision for me. My friend, and fellow music geek, Adrienne was in town from Phoenix and we were planning on hanging out. I suggested Calexico at the urging of my friend, Mark. There were 6 of them on stage and they were all incredibly talented. I think 5 of them at least sang backup and 4 of them played guitar. They were playing mariachi music one minute and shredding my skull with heavy guitar the next. And to think, I almost didn't go to this show.
7) Pearl Jam (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): They were easily one of my favorite bands when I first started getting into rock music back in middle school. I played Ten all the time. Like Metallica, PJ had eluded me for many years. That's why it was so great for me to see them. They killed a 3-hour set in what I have heard is typical Pearl Jam fashion. Eddie Vedder was really drunk and going off on tangents in between songs. It was wildly entertaining. My favorite part, though, was a rare song that also happens to be one of my favorite PJ songs. They played "W.M.A." all the way through. That's something they hadn't done in 14 years. The other big highlight for me was "Black." They ended with a good version of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower." Definitely a memorable set and I wouldn't have minded if they played longer. Fuck Kanye!
6) My Morning Jacket (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This barely edged out Pearl Jam as my favorite Roo set. They went on around midnight on Friday night, right after Metallica on a different stage. They played a 4-hour set, but I only saw a little over an hour. What I did see, though, just amazed me. They are really loud and Jim James sings/plays guitar with such emotion that it's almost impossible not to get caught up in it. The song that I loved was "Gideon". They also did a cover of Sly & The Family Stone's "Hot Fun In The Summertime" that I was lucky enough to see. The reason I didn't see the entire set was because I was a pussy and couldn't handle the rain and cold. Oh well. I'm fine with that and you'll read why soon enough. I did get to hear them play "Dondante" and "Run Thru" while I was laying in my tent. That was a pretty cool moment.
5) Rage Against The Machine (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): About 30 minutes before Rage went on, the crowd was pushing to the point where I couldn't breathe. I had to crowd surf out of where I was and find another spot. Fan douchebaggary aside, I had a blast at this set. This was the 3rd time I had seen Rage since they re-united and they didn't disappoint. They haven't in any of those shows. Zach de la Rocha made a very militant speech during "Wake Up." That's sort of become tradition during their live shows. A big thing for me was them playing "Ashes In The Fall." That's a song I hadn't seen in the previous 2 shows.
4) Nine Inch Nails (Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, NV): If you're a light show monkey like me, this is maybe the best show on the planet to see. Trent Reznor put a lot of thought and money into this production. Visually, it was stunning. Musically, it was great as well. My favorite songs were "Wish" "March of the Pigs" and "Hurt." I also really really enjoyed all of their new stuff, especially the all-instrumental songs from Ghosts I-IV. The venue was also perfect. It was a small theater at the Planet Hollywood Casino. And a geeky sidenote: I got to meet a lot of cool people from the music message board on post on all the time at Coachella.com. So that was a nice bonus.
3) Sigur Ros (Red Rocks in Morrison, CO): This is no hype when I say that this is the closest thing to a spiritual experience I've ever had at a concert. Epic is the only way I can describe every last one of their songs. The progression from soft and beautiful to intense is just stunning. "Untitled 8" was probably the best song I've ever seen performed live. I had goose pimples the entire night. It was just simply a surreal experience to see this band totally captivate the entire crowd on gorgeous night at the Rocks.
2) My Morning Jacket (Red Rocks in Morrison, CO): After only seeing a little over an hour of their Bonnaroo show, I immediately made it a mission to see them at Red Rocks. I took 2 days off, unpaid, from work to see this show. What I got was, at the time, the best show of my life. MMJ played 29 songs over the course of 3 hours. Every song sounded so full and the light show was great. After it was over, I felt like someone had kicked my nuts up to my eyeballs. That's a good thing in the world of music. It's so hard to pick my favorite songs, but a few that stood out were "Run Thru" "Dondante" "Lay Low" "Gideon" "Off The Record" and "One Big Holiday." This is a band I would probably travel anywhere to see.
1) Radiohead (Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista, CA): Many of you know that this is my absolute favorite band. I love music in general, but their music is on another level to me. This was my first Radiohead show, but definitely not my last. Along with Tool, they are the most crisp-sounding band I've ever heard. Everything they do in studio is pulled off in concert. Every band member has a job during ever song. It is a joy to watch. The light show is pretty damn cool too. My favorite songs were "Stree Spirit (Fade Out)" "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" "How To Disappear Completely" "Lucky" and "Optimistic." All 25 songs they did are perfect, so it might be a little unfair to isolate a few. Let me just say that Radiohead gets so much acclaim because they really are THAT good. They continue to prove it time and time again.
30) MGMT (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): I saw them at Bonnaroo a couple of months prior and only caught a few songs. I was a little underwhelmed and was wanting to head back to That Tent for another band. When I saw them at Lolla, they were a little better. Maybe it's because I was more familiar with the music. They came out with one of my favorite albums of the year.
29) The Toadies (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): I didn't necessarily SEE this band as much as I heard them. They played after Lupe Fiasco and I was listening while I was waiting for Rage Against The Machine. They had a lot of songs I forgot about and had a ton of energy.
28) Grupo Fantasma (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I had never even heard of them until they hit the stage. I was actually walking from MGMT and wanted a good spot for The Sword. They are a latin-based band that is just really fun. I couldn't tell you the names or lyrics to any of the songs, but I know I danced my ass off.
27) Iron & Wine (Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque, NM): I expected him to be a very boring opener for The Swell Season. Even though it was kind of the polar opposite of Grupo Fantasma, I still respected the music. It was enjoyable for what it was. And The Swell Season came out to do a cover of Neil Young's "Albuquerque" so that helped.
26) Sigur Ros (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I know some of you may be surprised because you know how big of a Sigur Ros fan I am, but these were weird circumstances. It was an odd combination of exhaustion and bickering that led me to go back to my tent and go to sleep. What I did see (roughly 3 songs) did motivate me to see them again in September. The music was pretty on point and Jonsi's voice grabbed my attention right away.
25) Adele (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This is another artist who I first heard not too long ago. I actually listened to her stuff about a week before the festival and decided I at least wanted to check out some of the show. I had a blast. Forget Amy Winehouse or Lily Allen, I would take Adele. Girl's got a lot of soul.
24) Jack Johnson (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I was expecting to see one of the most bland shows of my life. He completely exceeded my expectations. I checked out the entire show mainly because I wanted a good spot for Pearl Jam. He actually had good production value and some upbeat songs. I still lounged a bit, but I can honestly say that it was an enjoyable set. Plus, Eddie Vedder came out and did a song with him.
23) Atmosphere (Convention Center in Albuquerque, NM): I didn't stay for THAT long because I was tired from waiting forever and sitting through a couple of shitty acts. I like the new material that I heard and of course they did their old standard "Gold Loves Ugly." It is one of the better hip-hop shows there is to see, in my opinion.
22) Iron Maiden (Journal Pavilion in Albuquerque, NM): I got a lot of shit from some people (well, mostly one) for even going to this show, but I'm glad I went. I'm not a huge Iron Maiden fan, but I managed to get a really good spot and I had never seen them. They opened with "Aces High" and kept the energy going from there. The stage production was pretty cool and Bruce Dickinson still has a bunch of energy.
21) B.B. King (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This was my first time seeing the King and it was pretty good. He's real old and has to sit in his chair the entire show, but he's pretty entertaining. He has a lot of cool stories from his many years in music and can still wail on his guitiar named "Lucille." I just thought to myself a few times during the show "Holy shit, I'm watching B.B. King". Good stuff.
20) Lupe Fiasco (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): He became more of an entertainer since I last saw him at Vegoose in 2007. He makes the show fun and has a pretty decent supporting band. The highlight of the show for me was probably "Go Go Gadget Flow".
19) Lez Zeppelin (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): Yes...."Lez" not "Led". They're an all-female Led Zeppelin cover band. These girls kicked so much ass. I'm so happy I decided to stick around and watch the show. They made a believer out of me by simply doing "Dazed and Confused" and "Whole Lotta Love." They aren't just a gimmicky band, they can really pull off a nice live experience.
18) Jose Gonzalez (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): First, I want you to take a moment to notice where most of these shows are coming from. Bonnaroo. What an amazing weekend. Anyway, this was the 2nd time I had seen Jose Gonzalez. I have tons of respect for his guitar skills. His finger picking style is infectious and his voice really fits the style. If you're a fan of pure guitar playing then Gonzalez is definitely worth checking out.
17) Coheed & Cambria (Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, NM): I really think this band is an acquired taste, but they've put on a good show both times I've seen them. It's fun to watch Claudio Sanchez up on stage shredding on the guitar. Highlights were "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3" and "Welcome Home." Side note: The worst band I saw all year, Secret Machines, was the opener.
16) Back Door Slam (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This is a rock band from England with a blues edge who I first heard about a week before the Roo. They're the first band I saw that weekend that really made an impression on me. They played with a lot of energy and prompted me to buy their CD when I got back in town.
15) Ozomatli (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): Ozo has produced a great time ALL 5 times I have seen them. This was the only time in 2008. I was wondering how their show would translate onto the main stage at Bonnaroo, rather than a more intimate setting. Well, they were still very energetic and make me dance my ass off. They just bring it every time and I can really tell they love what they're doing.
14) Kings of Leon (Austin Music Hall in Austin, TX): They have a reputation for not being the best showmen on stage and I can sorta see that. They don't really act like rock stars up there. The music was quality though and I had a good spot just a few rows from the stage. Even though they didn't play "Black Thumbnail", I still like what they did with "Closer" and "Crawl."
13) The Sword (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): The first time I saw them was at The Launchpad in Albuquerque and it was pretty good but the sound kinda sucked. Needless to say, the sound was MUCH better at Roo. I was almost front and center and they just destroyed my face. They were the best band I saw at Roo on Thursday night. They play the type of metal that still resonates with me.
12) The Black Keys (Red Rocks in Morrison, CO): The duo from Akron, Ohio released my favorite album of 2008. I was really happy to see them open for My Morning Jacket at my favorite venue. Though I wish they would've played "Lies", I can see what they were going for with just a 45-minute set. They wanted to keep it more upbeat the entire time. "Strange Times" was my favorite song of the set.
11) The Raconteurs (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): It was so so tough to keep them out of the top 10. They absolutely killed at the Roo. I left The Swell Season's performance in This Tent so I could catch The Racs' entire set. They opened with "Consoler of the Lonely" and didn't let up. "Many Shades of Black" was another one of my highlights and they had the perfect closer in "Carolina Drama." Jack White is simply an amazing musician and it was a treat to him perform with an awesome band.
10) The Swell Season (Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque, NM): I was introduced to this group in May and I didn't think it would be my style. Something like this, singer-songwriter, usually wouldn't be. They have such an epic sound, though, that they cannot be ignored. The sound translates wonderfully in a live setting as well. Not only did they have a crisp sound, but Glen Hansard is one of the better frontmen in music right now. His might be the most engaging lead singer I have ever seen. That made the show that much more enjoyable. I really dug "Fitzcarraldo" and "Say It To Me Now."
9) Metallica (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): I've been a fan of Metallica since close to the time they released the self-titled black album. That was in 1991. In all that time, I had never had a chance to see them. They were one of the main reasons I went to Bonnaroo. The show was damn good. Chris Rock did a great stand-up routine before they hit the stage then he introduced them. They went right into "Creeping Death", just tearing through it. The pyros and war sound effects set the tone in a perfect way for "One." I was also happy they played "Fade To Black" Maybe the best thing about the show was they only played one song post 1991. And that was a tolerable one in "Memory Remains."
8) Calexico (Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, NM): This was actually a last-minute decision for me. My friend, and fellow music geek, Adrienne was in town from Phoenix and we were planning on hanging out. I suggested Calexico at the urging of my friend, Mark. There were 6 of them on stage and they were all incredibly talented. I think 5 of them at least sang backup and 4 of them played guitar. They were playing mariachi music one minute and shredding my skull with heavy guitar the next. And to think, I almost didn't go to this show.
7) Pearl Jam (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): They were easily one of my favorite bands when I first started getting into rock music back in middle school. I played Ten all the time. Like Metallica, PJ had eluded me for many years. That's why it was so great for me to see them. They killed a 3-hour set in what I have heard is typical Pearl Jam fashion. Eddie Vedder was really drunk and going off on tangents in between songs. It was wildly entertaining. My favorite part, though, was a rare song that also happens to be one of my favorite PJ songs. They played "W.M.A." all the way through. That's something they hadn't done in 14 years. The other big highlight for me was "Black." They ended with a good version of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower." Definitely a memorable set and I wouldn't have minded if they played longer. Fuck Kanye!
6) My Morning Jacket (Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN): This barely edged out Pearl Jam as my favorite Roo set. They went on around midnight on Friday night, right after Metallica on a different stage. They played a 4-hour set, but I only saw a little over an hour. What I did see, though, just amazed me. They are really loud and Jim James sings/plays guitar with such emotion that it's almost impossible not to get caught up in it. The song that I loved was "Gideon". They also did a cover of Sly & The Family Stone's "Hot Fun In The Summertime" that I was lucky enough to see. The reason I didn't see the entire set was because I was a pussy and couldn't handle the rain and cold. Oh well. I'm fine with that and you'll read why soon enough. I did get to hear them play "Dondante" and "Run Thru" while I was laying in my tent. That was a pretty cool moment.
5) Rage Against The Machine (Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL): About 30 minutes before Rage went on, the crowd was pushing to the point where I couldn't breathe. I had to crowd surf out of where I was and find another spot. Fan douchebaggary aside, I had a blast at this set. This was the 3rd time I had seen Rage since they re-united and they didn't disappoint. They haven't in any of those shows. Zach de la Rocha made a very militant speech during "Wake Up." That's sort of become tradition during their live shows. A big thing for me was them playing "Ashes In The Fall." That's a song I hadn't seen in the previous 2 shows.
4) Nine Inch Nails (Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, NV): If you're a light show monkey like me, this is maybe the best show on the planet to see. Trent Reznor put a lot of thought and money into this production. Visually, it was stunning. Musically, it was great as well. My favorite songs were "Wish" "March of the Pigs" and "Hurt." I also really really enjoyed all of their new stuff, especially the all-instrumental songs from Ghosts I-IV. The venue was also perfect. It was a small theater at the Planet Hollywood Casino. And a geeky sidenote: I got to meet a lot of cool people from the music message board on post on all the time at Coachella.com. So that was a nice bonus.
3) Sigur Ros (Red Rocks in Morrison, CO): This is no hype when I say that this is the closest thing to a spiritual experience I've ever had at a concert. Epic is the only way I can describe every last one of their songs. The progression from soft and beautiful to intense is just stunning. "Untitled 8" was probably the best song I've ever seen performed live. I had goose pimples the entire night. It was just simply a surreal experience to see this band totally captivate the entire crowd on gorgeous night at the Rocks.
2) My Morning Jacket (Red Rocks in Morrison, CO): After only seeing a little over an hour of their Bonnaroo show, I immediately made it a mission to see them at Red Rocks. I took 2 days off, unpaid, from work to see this show. What I got was, at the time, the best show of my life. MMJ played 29 songs over the course of 3 hours. Every song sounded so full and the light show was great. After it was over, I felt like someone had kicked my nuts up to my eyeballs. That's a good thing in the world of music. It's so hard to pick my favorite songs, but a few that stood out were "Run Thru" "Dondante" "Lay Low" "Gideon" "Off The Record" and "One Big Holiday." This is a band I would probably travel anywhere to see.
1) Radiohead (Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista, CA): Many of you know that this is my absolute favorite band. I love music in general, but their music is on another level to me. This was my first Radiohead show, but definitely not my last. Along with Tool, they are the most crisp-sounding band I've ever heard. Everything they do in studio is pulled off in concert. Every band member has a job during ever song. It is a joy to watch. The light show is pretty damn cool too. My favorite songs were "Stree Spirit (Fade Out)" "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" "How To Disappear Completely" "Lucky" and "Optimistic." All 25 songs they did are perfect, so it might be a little unfair to isolate a few. Let me just say that Radiohead gets so much acclaim because they really are THAT good. They continue to prove it time and time again.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
My Top 20 Albums of 2008
I know we're only 3 days into December, but I think it's time to tell you the 2o best albums I've heard this year. It's hard to rank them and it probably just depends on my mood that day. But I ranked them anyway. And I clearly haven't listened to every album out there. This is just what I've listened to all the way through that I like. Take this as a recommendation list and explore for yourselves. Here we go: (Oh, sorry about the formatting issues. No clue what it's doing that).
1) The Black K
eys - Attack & Release
eys - Attack & Release 2) The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
3) Portishead - Third
4) Sigur Rós - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
6) Spiritu
alized - Songs In A&E
alized - Songs In A&E7) My Mornin
g Jacket - Evil Urges
g Jacket - Evil Urges8) Deerhunt
er - Microcastle
er - Microcastle9) Wolf Par
ade - At Mount Zoomer
ade - At Mount Zoomer10) Kings O
f Leon - Only By The Night
f Leon - Only By The Night11) Stephe
n Malkmus & The Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
n Malkmus & The Jicks - Real Emotional Trash12) Nine In
ch Nails - The Slip
ch Nails - The Slip13) Kanye
West - 808s & Heartbreak
West - 808s & Heartbreak14) Metallic
a - Death Magnetic
a - Death Magnetic15) Oasis - 
Dig Our Your Soul
Dig Our Your Soul16) Adele 
- 19
- 1917) Fleet Fo
xes - Fleet Foxes
xes - Fleet Foxes18) Nine 
Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV
Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV19) Beck - 
Modern Guilt
Modern Guilt20) TV On 
The Radio - Dear Science
The Radio - Dear ScienceMonday, December 1, 2008
Biscuits N' _________
Hey everybody. This is the first installment of a blog that I intend to keep up to date. I'll more than likely, though, post in it for a solid two months then I'll forget about it. With that said, let's get this thing going!
You might be wondering why the name of this blog is "Biscuits N' Blogging." It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? I bet it makes you want to visit my blog every day from now on. Well that's no accident, folks. It's the result of a theory that I'm very proud of. Basically it goes like this:
If you open a business, any business, it will be very successful if you name it Biscuits N' (insert product here). Just think about it for a second. You love biscuits. Everyone does. It's un-American if you don't. If you don't think the Pillsbury Doughboy is the best creation ever then you might as well tear that Support Our Troops bumper sticker right off of your Ford pickup. Not only do you think of that plumpy little doughboy when you think of biscuits, you also think of good times at your mother's (or legal guardian's) house. Warm biscuits are a staple of the American family. In short, biscuits make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. They make you feel good. If you're a business owner, why not take advantage of this?
Imagine something is wrong with your car and you need to fix it. Would you rather go to Midas or would you rather go to Biscuits N' Auto Parts? I thought so. Your Nikes getting old? Don't head to Foot Locker. Take a trip to Biscuits N' Shoes. Not convinced? Say you're planning a bachelor party for a friend. Don't take the group to TDs or Scores. Take them to Biscuits N' Biscuits.
This is just a theory, but I think there's something to it. That's why I named my blog what I did. This blog will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. And it might make you fat from all the carbs and butter. Happy reading. Kthanksbye.
You might be wondering why the name of this blog is "Biscuits N' Blogging." It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? I bet it makes you want to visit my blog every day from now on. Well that's no accident, folks. It's the result of a theory that I'm very proud of. Basically it goes like this:
If you open a business, any business, it will be very successful if you name it Biscuits N' (insert product here). Just think about it for a second. You love biscuits. Everyone does. It's un-American if you don't. If you don't think the Pillsbury Doughboy is the best creation ever then you might as well tear that Support Our Troops bumper sticker right off of your Ford pickup. Not only do you think of that plumpy little doughboy when you think of biscuits, you also think of good times at your mother's (or legal guardian's) house. Warm biscuits are a staple of the American family. In short, biscuits make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. They make you feel good. If you're a business owner, why not take advantage of this?
Imagine something is wrong with your car and you need to fix it. Would you rather go to Midas or would you rather go to Biscuits N' Auto Parts? I thought so. Your Nikes getting old? Don't head to Foot Locker. Take a trip to Biscuits N' Shoes. Not convinced? Say you're planning a bachelor party for a friend. Don't take the group to TDs or Scores. Take them to Biscuits N' Biscuits.
This is just a theory, but I think there's something to it. That's why I named my blog what I did. This blog will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. And it might make you fat from all the carbs and butter. Happy reading. Kthanksbye.
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