An Old Favorite Says Farewell For Now

I know this makes two posts in a row about Friday night trips to the House of Blues, but there hasn't been much else going on that I have wanted to post about. The group was larger this time as five us of went to catch Nickel Creek for one last time. We got to feel old again, but at least this time we were feeling old from some seats in the balcony. It was mighty nice to sit up there in a defined area of personal space with my lovely wife by my side. Having her beside me smiling would have would have made just about any concert great.

The show itself was probably the worst of the five or so Nickel Creek shows I have seen. First off, I will say again that the House of Blues is really nice and sounds pretty stinking good. The band seemed a little tired. I have them put on some great shows over the years, so it was a little disappointing for them to go out with more of a dud than a bang. They show was not without its high points though. A bad Nickel Creek show is still really entertaining.

As usual, they pulled out some hilarious covers like I Want You Back and Toxic. I was a little disappointed with the song selection, but they did make it to many of the highpoints like This Side, When in Rome, Lighthouse Tale, and Can't Complain. The also seemed to have played nearly every instrumental they have ever recorded. It will be interesting to see where the band goes from here. I'm sure there will be plenty of music to come from the members. I was definitely glad to get to see them one last time before the go their separate ways at least for a while.

Playlist:
Nickel Creek - In Concert 11/02/2007 - All Songs Considered Podcast
Arcade Fire - In Concert 02/17/2oo7 - All Songs Considered Podcast (more of these to come)
Low - Drums and Guns
Jacobstone - Regions
Dylan in the Movies - Feel the Pull
The New Year - The End is Near
Six Parts Seven - Casually Smashed to Pieces
Joanna Newsom - The Milk Eyed Mender
Rosie Thomas - These Friends of Mine
Why? - Elephant Eyelash
Maria Taylor - 11:11
Tom Brosseau - What I Mean To Say is Goodbye
Now Its Overhead - Fall Back Open
Angels of Light - We Are Him
Birdmonster - No Midnight
Seth Kaufman - Ting
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Ben & Vesper - More Questions
The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse

The Crotchety Old Man Goes Out On A Friday

I haven't been making it out to too many shows lately, but I did get to one on Friday night. After coming pretty close to skipping out, my faithful concert going buddy and I made it to the House of Blues to see Spoon and The New Pornographers. The show was really crowded and as was pointed out to me, I am getting crotchety. It was my first trip into the House of Blues though, and I was impressed. Sure it is owned by a big mean corporation and sure they would like you to leave the show through their store, but the Gypsy Tea Room didn't hold a candle to this place. The sight lines were great and the sound was much better.

The show started out with a set from Emma Pollock I really got into a couple of Delgado's albums a while back, but I really wasn't liking her new disc, Watch the Fireworks, very much. Live, the songs were much more enjoyable though. Too bad I am getting old and don't really have the legs to stand for hours on end watching shows anymore. Her set was the kind of set I would have really enjoyed a few years ago, but Friday, I just wanted the show to move on.

Up next, the New Pornographers came with a great set. They were the big draw to this show for me. I was excited to hear that Neko Case would be along for this tour, and that was what pushed me over the edge to buy the overpriced tickets. They make some great fun music, and being able to see the whole band playing together was a treat. Dan Bejar only made it out for a few songs, but they were certainly memorable. They might have sold the song out to the University of Phoenix, but The Bleeding Heart Show was incredible to see live. It was definitely the highlight of the night for me. I've never cared much about selling out anyway.

Spoon is a band that I like to listen to from time to time, but I wouldn't claim them as a favorite. They came out and played a great set. Lots of noise and lots of singing along. The crowd was eating it up. I was getting pretty tired by the end of their set, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good they were. It was a good night of music.

Recent Playlist:
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Twothirtyeight - You Should Be Living
Blonde Redhead - 23
Badly Drawn Boy - The Hour of the Bewilderbeast
The National - Boxer
Namelessnumberheadman - Your Voice Repeating
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Hem - Rabbit Songs
Low - Trust
Sigur Ros - Takk
Woven Hand - Consider the Birds
The Mountain Goats - Tallahasses
Morrissey - You Are the Quarry
Jens Lekman - Night Falls of Kortedala
Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice
Andrew Osenga - Letter to the Editor, Vol 1
Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child
Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
A Northern Chorus - The Millions Too Many
Earlimart - Everyone Down Here
St. Vincent - Marry Me
Tom Brosseau - Cavalier
The Cave Singers - Invitation Songs