I have wanted to see these guys for a WHILE having missed their Lollapalooza appearance the one year because I was down at the other field.

The music sounded great, sonically it was a very awesome show. Visually it was a bit bizarre. One of those bands where everyone seems to have their own thing going on. Some dudes very engaging with the audience, others just playing their part and not interacting with anyone, on stage or off.

And the female of the two leads seemed a bit of a train wreck, falling all over and a little…shall we say, argumentative at times But maybe that’s just her on-stage persona. Did think her boob was about to make a great escape from her off-shoulder top during the first couple songs…suddenly later there was a strap showing – seems she went and put on a bra on during one of her random disappearances from the stage! 🙂

But as Bill commented, it’s rare you see a girl just shredding it up like that on guitar. Very impressive skillz. (His review here.)

Also thought it was a bit funny how the male lead kept saying “We’re Stars of Montreal.” Ok? Yeah, not the Stars of New York, or the other ones from…wherever…

When I told my dad I went to hear Tom Paxton, he was surprised to hear Paxton was still alive. (Then he said, “Well I guess he’s probably not that much older than me if I stop and think about it…) Then he immediately starting singing a Paxton song to me, one from around the time of my birth.
Paxton’s not as famous to the rest of the world, but certainly in the folk world, he’s as well known as Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and others of that ilk. Witty and sharp, his personal songs are just as entertaining as his political ones. Lovely voice, great sentiments, and a heart solidly in the right place. A very enjoyable evening.

One of my favorite bands of recent years, I was glad to finally see them live even though I didn’t stay for the entire thing given it was a Wednesday night, they didn’t go on until 10:30, and I had to arrive at the office by 6 a.m. the following morning.
Lead singer has a very unique voice to me. Not sure if they are sonically enhancing it somehow but sometimes sounds like it’s echoing from the bottom of a well. Very rich. Sounded really good. Solid. They’re maybe not quite as pop-py as the Shins, not quite as quirky as Band of Horses — but along those lines.

Two-word review: Glorious Cacophony.

Three-word review: Sufjan on Speed.

Eight-word dream: Goal in Life, Become Member of Spree Choir.

Lovely voice, great style. Her guitar playing skills really blew my mind. Very much in the storytelling folk/country/songwriter style, each song pictured a whole world for you. Some sad and thoughtful, some sassy and upbeat. Totally enjoyable!

Totally awesome show. The lead singer has a voice so deep, it feels like it reaches down to the very bottom of your soul. Their new album is probably my top listen of the year and this show just made me like them that much more. Ranks right up there with Gomez as the top two gigs of the year thus far.
Consummate musicians, tunes sounded great, stage banter was minimal but fine, lead’s antics were perplexing and sometimes humorous. Lovely lovely sounds. Beautiful show.

I really enjoy Common’s style; a mix of hip hop, R&B, rap. The rapper bragadocio (sp?) combined with a socially concious mind. I really enjoyed this concert…until the point where he referred to Michael Vick as “Misunderstood”*. Actually, I’d say Michael Vick has been understood for exactly what he is, a criminal who belongs in jail. There is no excuse for cruelty to dogs.

*Misunderstood is a song where he name checks in the chorus. “Malcolm X = Misunderstood.” Certainly. “Tupac Shakur = Misunderstood.” In a different way than Malcolm, but OK I can see how you could make the argument there. He slowly moves into the living. “Erykah Badu = Misunderstood.” I know nothing about her, but OK. “Lauryn Hill = Misunderstood.” I’ve heard she’s a little crazy, so OK. but “Michael Vick = Misunderstood”? No, no, and no. Not misunderstood at all. Criminal.

Opener: Joss Stone. She certainly has impressive range, but it’s not really my kind of music. (Pretty much pure R&B).

I’ve talked about this band a few times (here, here…) Really enjoyable show. Dense, thick, layered, atmospheric sound, with layered vocals on top. On some songs all five dudes were singing at once! Smooooooth, seductive and sometimes shimmery. Loved all the stuff from the current album, and the new song, think they’ve really found their groove with multiple vocals and a ’70s feel; didn’t like the ‘older’ stuff as much.

The vocals have a very CSNY feel, but with more piano, more atmosphere in the background. T. was reminded of the Eagles, but I don’t think there’s as much twang, and Midlake’s harmonies are much better (as were CSNY’s as well). These guys do NOT sound like they are from Texas…