oharris69
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I'll get the gripes off my chest to start with: when you host a world-class concert with one of the best bands around graciously headlining Day 1, please remember to fix the mid-field speaker row for those who don't want to fight off 69,999 other punters for a front-of-mixing-desk location!!! Had a nice center spot scoped out directly behind said speakers, but as Bloc Party finished their always-lively set, they went off - then on - and off again, never to return. Radiohead was thus rendered as am impressive light-show with a mono transistor radio hidden behind a hedge with the bastard neighbours lawnmower going at 8am Sunday morning...
Enough of that. Cat Power kicked off my 2008 Lolla experience around 5pm on a steamy Friday, and pretty much delivered an outdoor version of her "Jukebox" album as seen mid-winter here in Chi-Town, albeit without the small-venue intensity. I would have appreciated more Chan-authored songs than just "Metal Heart" (she covered herself, so to speak) like "Love & Communication", but that's a personal request. Something was lost in translation Friday.
Moving across Grant Park past Buckingham fountain to grab grub'n'piss and head towards the main stage for Radiohead, it was obvious most of the Friday crowd were there for one thing - and had already staked their claim to turf. It was 2 hours before kickoff, no competing act at the other end, and the punters were already wading through the hot'n'sweaty crowd aiming for the front. I was happy with my afore-mentioned spot (well, apart from the lack of speakerage!) and it was right about sunset when Thom and the lads from Oxford hit the stage with a rollicking rendition of "15 Steps" from last album "In Rainbows" (the entire album was played during the evening) and right into "OK Computer" opening track "Airbag", which went down a treat, followed by "There There" from "Hail To The Thief", pummelled along with percussion.
I must have seen Radiohead a good dozen times since the "OK Computer" tour back home in Auckland NZ in 1998, with highlights definitely being the shows at Red Rocks and Bonnaroo, where Justin and I had the pleasure of chatting with them briefly after the show, a couple of years after Neil Finn co-opted their rhythm section for his "7 Worlds Collide" concerts in 2001.
Thom was supposedly a tad under the weather - a "secret" concert scheduled the night before at the Chicago Theatre had to be cancelled - but this wasn't apparent from the energy and enthusiasm on display through the 2 dozen songs played over the course of 2 hours, with generous helpings from both "Kid A" and "OK Computer", culminating in the triple-whammy of "Optimistic", "2+2=5" and "Idioteque". Staggering set, pity about the speaker stacks...
It seems to have been one of those years where either:
a) I haven't given enough of a toss or there been sufficient quality new releases i've been turned onto to buy/check out and/or been sufficiently taken with it, or...
b) quality reissues/listening to old faves on good ol' vinyl have dominated my listening for one reason or another.
I hear great individual songs, download, then faithfully check out the album only to end up disappointed and less 15 bucks. Radiohead was a "buy without listen" obvious choice that didn't disappoint, likewise with PJ Harvey on the strenght of hearing a single track.
The 1900s from Chicago were "my" discovery of the year, thanks to Chicago Public Radio's weekly Sound Opinions show, and live they reinforced my view as well as reminded me of the halcyon days of NZ alternative music back in the 80's and 90's of bands like the Able Tasmans, Straightjacket Fits and more recently Goldenhorse.
The Kings of Leon delivered another solid album that's still growing on me, and Liam Finn overshadowed Dad's Crowded House album with his first post-Betchadupa solo effort. Choice mate!
Top 5+1 Albums:
1900s - Cold & Kind: great melodic psychedelic pop from Chicago, very reminiscent of the Able Tasmans in some ways, The Zombies in others, and Goldenhorse for good measure.
PJ Harvey - White Chalk: Polly switches from guitar to piano, but the feeling remains...
Kings Of Leon - Because of the Times: solid 3rd album from the Tennessee family, just as incendiary live as the earlier material and dealing with more mature issues along the way.
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver: gets to me like Moby's "Play" did back in the 90's. Melodic, pumping, lyrical, great.
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning: great live in concert solo, Finn the Younger delivers in abundance in studio. "Second Chance" song of the year in New Zealand.
Radiohead - In Rainbows: it's not OK Computer 2, but elicits the disparate moods in a cohesive manner from previous albums in a way only Radiohead could, yet leaves room for albums to come...
Top 5 Reissues:
Joy Division - Closer Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures Gram Parsons & The Flying Burrito Brothers - Live at the Avalon Ballroom, SF Split Enz - The Rootin Tootin Luton Tapes Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth
Top 5 Gigs:
1900s - The Metro, Chicago Joanna Newsom & Milwaukee Symphony - Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee Patti Smith - Lollapalooza, Chicago Elvis Costello & The Attractions - House of Blues, Chicago Kings of Leon - Riviera Theatre, Chicago
FRI NOV.30: Chicago IL
CAD: Nov. 30th, 2007: 7-10PM: 1837 S. Halsted
"The Wild, The Beautiful, & The Damned!"
One Night Only - A Photo Exhibition of the 70's Bay Area Music Scene by LARRY SCHORR
Larry Schorr was an integral part of the music scene in 1970's San Francisco Bay Area, both as a fan and participant. Larry roomed withJello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) when Jello was still Eric Boucher from Boulder and thinking of calling himself 'Occupant'.
On 35mm film, Larry caught history in the making front-row at the final Sex Pistols show, and perhaps the first ever Dead Kennedys show.
Through his lens, he captured early and even first US tours from Blondie, The Buzzcocks, The Damned, The Police, The Ramones, Elvis Costello, Peter Gabriel and Patti Smith, along with already legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, Genesis, Talking Heads and Thin Lizzy.
This first ever showing of the "The Wild, The Beautiful, & The Damned!" collection higlights a plethora of Punk, Prog and Rock artists of the time and place and will be exhibited one night only in Chicago:
Nov. 30th, 2007: 7-10PM: 1837 S. Halsted
Music of the times and complimentary food and drink provided!
My Trusted MOGs' Top Songs This Week
MOGs That Trust Me (8 of 15)
MOG Meter
Comments
An admirable list - thanks for the recommendations.
I hope you'll be kind enough to forgive this nitwit here who thought you were talking about the band "1990s" from Glasgow, UK who've released a nice album this year also.
Nice list; I like the 1900s, though I haven't heard the whole album. PJ Harvey and Radiohead are good as well. I have to say I've given LCD Soundsystem a spin and it didn't grab me, but perhaps I should give that one another shot. I'll be seeing Liam Finn open up for Pela in March.
I saw Patti Smith at Lolla this year as well! I was right up in front with our fellow mogger Blair (satisfiedmind2). She really was great; and Elvis Costello was a show I enjoyed a lot here (in Colorado) too.
I posted my list here, you might find some other worthy releases in the bunch. Cheers!