bjaiken

The only thing I can say is that Origami Records is super, super small. He did an acoustic gig at a bigger record store up in San Francisco, Amoeba Records, for Record Store Day, and he must have been good enough with the experience that he at least signed on the dotted line for these shows. But Origami Records is super small - probably 1/10 the size of Amoeba. My understanding is that they were only able to fit 40 or so people into the store. My point is that this is an entirely different level of intimate. The people in the record store are essentially in your lap. Maybe losing all boundaries between himself and his audience made him uncomfortable. I don't know; I just wanted to give you some background on Origami so that you had some context. I, too, am surprised that he would cancel these gigs.

The acoustic gig was only 4 songs in Los Angeles so that's not much of a loss. I meant to post a review but got lazy after I finally figured out how to post pics. Maybe you will be able to give a proper recap. Enjoy the show; it's really good.

^ Haha...that was funny!

I liked your review. I didn't learn anything, but I still enjoyed it.

I agree. I much prefer both those songs. I think the reason Under The Bridge became so huge is because it came at a transition time for music. It was safe enough to get radio airplay (and it got tons of it), but it also had an alternative feel to it. I remember really liking the song at the time, but as I look back, I don't see it as being that great.

Working with Danger Mouse and on a club record. Hard for me to say anything because I haven't heard it yet, but I can't say I'm crazy about the idea. I may be in the minority, but I wouldn't mind if U2 made albums like ATYCLB and HTDAAB for the rest of their career. They really have nothing left to prove. If they were to go in any direction, I would prefer it to be a more somber or dark album. Working with flashy producers and pop stars doesn't sound right for a group of aging rock stars. I love Larry. He always tries to put the brakes on Bono's crazy ideas. I always get the feeling that Larry is telling Bono, "Can't we just be a rock band."

^ I'm with you on Under The Bridge. Nice song but nothing special. Maybe I've just grown tired of it because it was played to death.

I actually liked NLOTH a lot, but it wasn't very much fun because the album was not well received (relative to other U2 albums). I hope the new album is a move back toward mainstream success.

That would be so cool is we could get a new U2 album :cool:

Here you go. Sorry the pictures are not super clear. I am more of a memorabilia guy, but I snapped these real quick with my iPhone (thus, the poor quality). He hung out for a good 10 minutes, so I was able to take these photos after I got my albums signed. The top pictures are from the show I attended the next night. Enjoy.

Got back from the show. It was really good. Working on posting pictures, but I am lame at this stuff.

^ oops...I linked my friend's review of the San Diego show. You might find that interesting, too. Anyhow, here's the interview: http://soundcheck.ocregister.com/2010/10/14/qa-jonsi-on-acoustic-vs-electric-gigs-getting-happy-and-the-future-of-sigur-ros/37700/

http://soundcheck.ocregister.com/2010/10/16/jonsi-captivates-at-tour-kickoff-in-san-diego/37760/ Here is an interview that a friend of mine recently did with Jonsi. If you like it, feel free to leave him some positive feedback in the comments section.

Yeah, I will try to do that. I'll probably post them after tonight's show, as I'm leaving right after work. Also, I think I tried to upload photos in the past but was unable to do so because of my settings. Can anyone guess what I need to do? I'm sure it's user error on my part.

I was able to score GA tickets for tonight's show. I am pretty excited, especially after starring at the Wiltern in the cold all night last night.

Very much so. Right now, I am really into the end of the album (Grow Till Tall and Hengilas). I am a sucker for that "dreamy" sound. Probably too many years listening to the Cure. Friends say his solo show is off the charts. I'd like to be able to say for myself.

I was outside the Wiltern because I couldn't get a ticket for tonight. I am going to try to go tomorrow in Pomona. I did get to meet Jonsi, which was really cool. I took pictures and got my Go vinyl album and cd cover signed. It wasn't really a complete night because I missed out on the show, but at least I got something. Here's hoping I can get into the show tomorrow. I'll post a review if I make it in.

+1

When is he going to announce a freaking tour?

Yeah, "The Claw" X 3 is no cheap investment. They definitely need to get their moneys worth out of it. It's funny with U2 - anything smaller than an arena is too small. I don't prefer the stadiums, but this is a band built for large crowds.

I am always surprised that R.E.M. does not get more love on this board. I would think that they would be a band that fits well with the tastes of people on this board. This is one band that I listen to on occasion, but need to listen to some more. When they are on, they are as good as it gets.

I agree. I prefer arenas, too.

I'd say it's likely. In North America, both the Elevation and Vertigo tours were arena shows. I know they were outdoor and bigger in other places in the world.

^ Wow! That's so odd that you included the clip of "Exit." When I was talking about U2 during the Joshua Tree era, I was thinking about adding that exact same clip to this thread. It is a perfect example of the old U2. Very epic. Bono is cool by me. His "arrogance" doesn't bother me for a number of reasons: 1) He is always joking about his messianic complex, which means he knows that he, as a rock star, has a big ego and 2) I don't know that I really want him to be a humble rock star. Part of U2's driving force is their level of ambition, which is matched by no band that I can think of. You don't go out on a tour that costs a million dollars a day (operating or not) and hope it turns out well. You must have an unwavering level of confidence in yourself and your band to pull off a stage show of that size. This band sells out multiple nights in outdoor stadiums approaching 100,000 people. You have to be confident. Of course, whenever someone is super confident the label "arrogant" is always going to be thrown around. I don't see how you avoid that. Anyhow, those of you not familiar with the sound of live U2 in the old days should soak up this clip of "Exit." Enjoy.

I had heard this, too. I have never seen them live, so I can't speak from experience.