My belated observations following All Points West 2009:National (Friday): Rain starts to flow as band launches into “Start a War.†A cleansing, soft rain persists throughout the perfect set – standouts include “Secret Meeting†and “Squalor Victoria†– until the end, when rain picks up during “Fake Empire†and pours as the band concludes with “Mr. November.†Singer Matt B...
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Posts by rodneys26
All Points west #1
The Pit
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Thinking and listening...As I previously mentioned, I teach high school English. The kids think they know a lot about music and then I have to spend 20 minutes of class time educating them about the Pixies or influences of the Clash on every band they hate to love. But I do have a few disciples who I have trained well and who turn me onto things new and weird. One band was Passion Pit, a very hard
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Obsessions
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Listening and Thinking: As an addictive personality, I get obseessed with songs and have to listen to them dozens and dozens of times, to the point where it is scary, sad, and depressing. I am a high school English teacher and play music in my class for my kiddies, to learn them something else besides that hip hop. I was recently in a dark place and found "Signs" by Bloc Party (have to admit - not
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A National Experience
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Working the REM concert a few weeks ago I was more interested in opening act the National than either REM (love em) or the Mouse (not so good live if you have not experienced). I've been a fan since Mr. November crossed my Ipod last year. Since I have siphoned in everything I can find and have read amazing things about the band live. I was lucky enough to catch half the short set and was especiall
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Walla Walla
A lot of mixed reviews for Chris Walla's solo debut, "Field Manual." Most say the songs sound just like DCFC and will help kill the time until the new disc is out in May. Most reviewers miss the vital third or fourth listen, when the true colors of a disc start to shine through (or fade away). That happened to me with the new Nada Surf disc "Lucky" - which I decided was crap the first time and ...
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Rain rain go away...
There's something about a deep heavy rain that permeates the heart and soul and leaves an unexplicable heaviness behind. The day is dark and tends to transform the mood as well. My fingers always tend to choose songs reflecting the gloominess, choosing artists like Jesus & Mary Chain, Old Cure (circa Pornography), Bright Eyes, etc. It inspired me to cull my top 5 sad, depressing, perfect for a rai
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An end has a start...
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If there is any place to start for me, it Built to Spill, a band (really a man, our hero, Doug) that speaks to me on the most simple yet direct level of communication. There are dozens of songs, live and studio, that provide a full dose of BTS. Check out the nearly 9-minute jam Goin' Against Your Mind as little taste of what you get. Close your eyes and listen to that guitar work. Beware - Doug's
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