bjaiken

To be honest, it's really hard for me to believe that a new album is being released. I know it's been in the works for so long, but to hear that it has materialized is nuts. I'm so excited. The thing about radiohead is that I know it's going to be good before it's even released. They never disappoint.

Very well said. I agree 100%.

This is crazy news. I'll pay for the WAV and then buy the cd. I can't think of many bands I'd pay 2x for the same thing, but there aren't many bands I like as much as Radiohead.

By the way, I wasn't too crazy about the light set up and bikers during Month of May. It wasn't a bad performance; it just didn't come across well on tv.

I am super happy Arcade Fire won Album of the Year. I think it's an even bigger win for music. I hope more young kids start listening to good bands like Arcade Fire. This win could be a big stepping stone.

^ Man, you aren't kidding about the creeps. The venue was in one of the worst areas I've been to in LA. You know it's bad when every house has bars on their windows. I had to leave my car on the street, and I was nervous all night that it would be gone when I got back.

^ Thanks...yeah, it was good. I guess they are playing Month of May at the Grammys. Here is some nice footage from last night's show: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJf3hBb5Peo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJf3hBb5Peo[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FS78qvsDtc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FS78qvsDtc[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL2AX76YRCI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL2AX76YRCI[/ame]

^ It was just sort of a pre-Grammy show. Why they chose this "venue" is beyond me, especially when they have so many to choose from in L.A. I mean, this wasn't even what I would call a venue. We've all been to weddings where someone rents out a hall or large room. That's the only way to describe this place. Like I said, the size and floor layout reminded me of my high school gym.

Arcade Fire at the Ukrainian Cultural Center Review Alright, so I made it into the venue tonight. Granted, I did not get in until 20 minutes after the show started. In fact, I was thinking about skipping it since I like to go to a show from beginning to end. Then common sense kicked in, and I decided to drop $30 to get an hour of Arcade Fire in what can only be described as a community center. I'm not kidding - this is the type of place that a family might rent out for a wedding or a dance. Needless to say, seeing Arcade Fire in a venue (if you can call it that) this size was a real treat. It was a relatively short set list (15 songs), which was made even shorter by the fact that I missed the first 3 songs. However, the chance to see Wake Up, Tunnels, and Power Out (amongst others) in a facility that reminded me of my high school gym made it the best $30 I ever spent. As you may know from one of my prior posts, I got turned down cold last time I asked Win and Regine to sign a photo for me. Well, the same thing is true - they still won't touch a glossy photo, guitar, or any item they feel might be sold. I still think it's arbitrary, but whatever. Knowing this from my last experience, I came prepared with Funeral on CD. Sure enough, Win and Regine turned down all collectors with items other than CDs or vinyl albums. I was fortunate enough to get them to both sign my copy of Funeral, and Win even signed the insert, too. A bit of a funny story: As Win was turning down item after item, I started being chatty about the fact that I had the insert to the Funeral CD. I probably said it a time or two too many, as he looked at me and said "I know what it is, I wrote the fucking album." He said it in a playful tone, but I'm sure he was probably tired of my short burst of yammering. In conclusion, we can chalk this night up to a complete winner - the show was great and I had success meeting the band.

I don't follow the award shows of the world, so you may be right. Nevertheless, the Grammy is going to rank toward the top, which is my point. With respect to being called a "sell out," any band that starts to have mainstream success is going to be forced to wear that label. I don't really see any point in running from it. You either want to achieve a certain degree of popularity or you don't. I think many of the best bands have one foot in each door - commercial and critical success. Any "indie" band that has achieved even a moderate level of success is in town this weekend, so it's not an award that they are really running from. I don't know - I don't see it as a big deal.

Grammys are a joke. I'll agree with that. But it's still the most prestigious award show in the industry. I can't think of a more coveted award, at least.

Arcade Fire are playing a small "secret" show tonight in Los Angeles. From what I understand, it's at the Ukrainian Cultural Center (what a place for a concert :confused:). Anyhow, I'm going to head down there to see what activity ensues. I would have liked to have gotten a ticket, but you had to wait in line at 1 of 3 record stores, and I got a little thing called a J-O-B that prevents me from playing whenever I want. I'm bringing my copy of Funeral for them to sign. If I get punked like I did last time, I might have to set them straight (I'm just joking for all those who take things literally).

Don't Drink The Water - Dave Matthews Band

Sounds really good :thumbsup:

I have been listening to Go Live recently. I'm a big fan of Stars in Still Water. Fantastic vocals with some pretty catchy guitar parts.

This is great news. I actually liked NLOTH, but it never rose to the level of many of my other favorite U2 albums. I still think the title track is fantastic.

This is sad news. I am not a huge fan, but I've listened to all their albums. No project Jack White has done since White Stripes has really held my interest. Granted, I haven't heard everything, but what I have heard is underwhelming.

The Queen is Dead is one of my all time favorite albums. This is one of my all time favorite clips. Notice how the song builds in both sound and lighting. And Morrisey's vocals are just dripping with emotion. "It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate - it takes strength to be gentle and kind." Perfection! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18GrFywPkXE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18GrFywPkXE[/ame]

I'm not a big fan of pop stars, but I like her. She's got a killer voice. Plus, she's hot!

^ yeah, First Impressions wasn't very well received - both commercially and critically. I think it's a pretty good album. I understand some of the criticism, but that's if you are focusing on the negative. If you focus on the positive, there are several good songs on it. I am excited about the new album, but I also have concerns. I liked everything that was written in a non-democratic fashion. That's not to say I won't like an album where everyone is contributing. I'll just have to wait and see.

^ I agree it's not too late. It really depends on how good the next record is and how hard they push. It wouldn't hurt them to get some good marketing either. You Only Live Once was clearly the best cross over song on First Impressions. It was both accessible and artistic. However, by the time they got around to releasing it as a single, the album had already lost momentum. A strong single often gets people to go buy the album at which time they discover other good songs. Even though First Impressions is my least favorite Strokes album, it deserved a better fate.

I think it's good, but not great. There's no crazy one off appearances or band reunions. Duran Duran is the closest it comes. I've seen Arcade Fire and Kings of Leon this past year, and I suspect they will be touring every year or two for the next 10. The lesser acts have all played local clubs and smaller venues around town. I want to go, but if I miss it, I don't feel like I'm missing some rare opportunity. Where's the Smiths reunion or Pearl Jam with Neil Young?

The one thing I did really like about First impressions is that Julian stopped using the vocal effects. That's not to say I dislike them on the first two records; I wouldn't want it any other way. But it was nice to go in a different direction. The thing about the Strokes is you rarely find bands that have all the pieces, and when you do, you hate to see them not maximize their potential. I remember the music industry was pretty much putting out post-alternative rock (i.e. watered down alternative rock) until the Strokes and White Stripes made it interesting again. Both bands, unfortunately, have kind of veered off course over the years. It's a shame when you see much lesser bands build more of a following. I am a fan of the Killers, but i don't think those guys are nearly as good as the Strokes. Nevertheless, those guys are ambitious and have built a hell of a name for themselves. It wasn't luck. For the Strokes, you can't help but think about what could have been. I'm optimistic and hopeful that the next album puts them back on the right track.

^ It could be. You Only Live Once is probably my favorite Strokes song, though. They were stupid for not releasing that as the first single. ROF has songs that are equally as strong as Is This It?, however, I just feel like it doesn't have the same continuity and is more spotty. That's quibbling over details. I really like that album. I saw them twice on their First Impressions tour, and they were fantastic live. It just seems like with a little bit more effort and ambition, they could have been a lot bigger...and I'm not just talking about in a commercial sense. They just kind of drifted about and fell off everyones radar, and that was even before the hiatus.

^ I'd say ROF is a drop off, but it is certainly a very strong album. First Impressions was a much bigger drop off for me.