The first time I heard Matt Nathanson's "Come On, Get Higher", I was standing on a stool at The Cutting Room. I remember my knees getting a little weak as he did his little hip wiggle thing and if the opportunity to make out with someone, anyone, had come up at that moment, I would have full on taken it. That's the kind of song it is.
Last night at Madison Square Garden, the size of the stage alone was probably about as big as the Cutting Room. If not that, at least the size of The Living Room, where I also saw Matt perform the song. This time, MSG was pretty much full to the rafters with people, the majority of whom were singing along. Now, I love intimate concerts. I love being close to the stage or in a small room full of people who really know the music. However, it is beyond fucking cool to be in an ARENA and see someone you've only seen in fairly small venues rock that joint and have SO many people be into it. The best thing about it is that he's still Matt. Sure, the set is shorter and a little more geared to an audience who may not know him as well. But he's still that hilarious guy that starts out PG-13 (ICE CREAM!) and quickly turns R ("I want to be there while you're having sex tonight. Even if you're having sex with yourself. I want to be there.") who also has amazing songs. He started with "To the Beat of Our Noises Hearts", played "Princess" complete with full-on "Jessie's Girl" sing-a-long, "Still", "Wedding Dress", "Car Crash" with a little bit of Prince thrown in and of course, the hit single. The reaction, it was amazing. He had them all. He's like the king of openers, he's everything that I personally love in an opening act, so it's no surprise that he's opened for a gazillion different people (five this year alone). Now, sir, it's time to headline your own damn tour again. He's amazing.
And O.A.R. The first time I ever heard "Crazy Game of Poker", I was 18 and had just moved into college. My roommate and I lived next to two girls on the swim team and they would blast the song daily. We loved it every time they did. We'd always sing along. It wasn't for awhile before I found out who sang it and started to become a fan. I saw them live for the first time in 2006 and had a great time and really started getting into them around then. They're just SO fun, especially live. It's weird, I don't always have a whole lot of patience for long songs and it surprises even me how into their jam songs I am, but I just love them. They go and on and build and are just so kickass! And there's saxophone! They have such great grooves and hooks and sort of manage to be relaxing and energizing at the same time. It was awesome being toward the side of the stage last night and being able to see everyone rocking out. Marc was a bit overwhelmed by the size/excitement of the crowd and I always think it's cool when the band is kind of like "holy shit, we have THIS many fans?" Awesome.
Setlist:
1. About Mr. Brown
2. About An Hour Ago
3. Untitled
4. Conquering Fools
5. Something Coming Over
6. I Feel Home
7. Love And Memories
8. What Is Mine
9. On My Way
10. Shattered (Turn The Car Around)
11. Black Rock
12. City On Down
13. Lay Down
14. War Song
15. Whose Chariot?
Encore:
16. Fool In The Rain
17. This Town
18. That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker
19. With A Little Help From My Friends
I was super excited about "About an Hour Ago", "Conquering Fools" and "City on Down". I'm more a fan of their older stuff, though I'm getting into the new stuff too, and those songs are particularly awesome and faves of mine. Loved "Something Coming Over", "I Feel Home" was really cool because it was just Marc solo and yet he managed to have the attention of the whole audience, "Love and Memories" is a great song and one of their first more mainstream tunes, I've come to accept "Shattered" way more than I had at first (it's just SO different from their old sound), "Lay Down" is awesome and there was a kickass drum contest in the middle that I couldn't tear my eyes away from, "War Song" was intense with a really strong bass sax line and "Whose Chariot?" was a great closer, especially since Jerry the sax player relocated to the back of the arena, which caused pretty much everyone to flip out. And the encore! Robert Randolph came out to join the guys on a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" and is there a song with a deeper groove? Don't think so. "Poker" was epic, as it always should be, I think it clocked in around 12 minutes. That's the song that essentially everyone knows and it was just so awesome to hear everyone just screaming along as confetti guns sprayed playing cards and spade and clubs shaped confetti (not even kidding). And then holy crap. Ok, so the Woodstock reunion is now, essentially, and to celebrate, Marc called out Robert Randolph again, the DJ who mixed on "This Town" and Matt. The first second of organ, I knew what it was because Joe Cocker's cover of "With a Little Help From My Friends", especially the version from Woodstock is one of my favorite things ever in the world. And this was absolutely KICK. ASS. Marc took the first verse, Matt took the second and actually did the Cocker wail while falling to his knees, I seriously almost lost it. SO awesome.
I love Matt Nathanson and I love O.A.R. Period. I have seen Matt in eight venues now and I will continue to see him any chance I get. O.A.R. is also now on this list. They put on an amazing show, I didn't stop moving the entire time and I love their sound. And both know and appreciate where they came from, how they built up to be where they are now and that is one of my favorite things about them. Awesome guys, awesome music, awesome shows. Holy crap, I love concerts.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
music's in my soul, I can feel it every day, every night, it's the one thing on my mind
I am not going to pretend that my first impression of the Jonas Brothers wasn’t less than stellar. I distinctly recall saying something like “Is this them? I am not impressed.” This was a little more than a year ago. Since then, I have obtained all of their albums. I own Camp Rock, starring Joe Jonas and featuring Nick and Kevin. I saw The Jonas Brothers 3D Experience in the theater. Twice. I willingly admit my apprehension to liking them was because I thought that I shouldn’t. Clearly, once I let myself, I realized that I kind of loved them. I masked it as a bit of a joke at first. Then I just embraced it. I love them. A lot.
So last night, we ventured out to Nassau Coliseum to see them in concert! We got there pretty early and hung around outside amidst many homemade Jonas t-shirts, shorts, socks and every other type of attire. I love seeing this kind of dedication, not even joking. Not to the point of participating to that level (though, ok, I did put on the shirt I purchased) but just the effort and how much fun everyone must have planning their outfits and making everything so that everyone knows how much they love the Jonas Brothers. I don’t know if it’s because there’s a little part of me that’s like that without the clothing or if it’s because I never really acted that way when I was that age or if just because I have that kind of appreciation for fan communities, even when they’re crazy, but I love it. I find it fascinating and fabulous! While waiting to get in, the guys of one of the opening acts, Honor Society, wandered by. People were not caring nearly as much as I thought they should, so I enthusiastically said “Hi!” as they passed and got an equally enthusiastic smile and greeting in return from one of them! Awww.
The opening acts were all pretty fun. Honor Society had a few catchy tunes, this weird girl group came out and sang a song that had about three words and then Jordin Sparks! Who kicks ass and takes names! Really loved getting to see her, all sassy and strutting around in heels and a glittering outfit. That girl can sing!
Then the lights went down and the glowsticks started waving and the screaming persisted for a very long time as "We Will Rock You" played and then there they were! Highlights:
- I love when Kevin spins and spins and spins like a top!
- Joe was on our edge of the catwalk, started sprinting up the ramp, over the stairs and leapt onto the piano. Amazing.
- Since Joe doesn't play any instruments, he spends a lot of time dancing with the other band members. Pretty hilariously, too. Sometimes, they act out skits.
- A bit into the set, Nick was left alone at a white grand piano. He started playing “Black Keys” for a bit, then went into “A Little Bit Longer”. After a verse or so, he stops playing and starts talking about how a few years ago, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, ending with something that I found dramatic, amusing, inspirational and amazing all at the same time. He started listing all of his accomplishments since being diagnosed. He then just started screaming, “Did I let it slow me down?” The crowd cheers and he screams “Did I LET it SLOW me DOWN?!” It was so amazing and I may or may not have reenacted various versions of it along the ride home. While Nick’s preacher voice makes me laugh, I truly think it’s wonderful that kids with diabetes have someone like Nick to look up to. It can’t be easy having to adjust your life around a disease like that at such a young age and knowing that Nick went through it and is still dealing with it but is living the crazy and exciting life he leads must really be a great thig for these kids to see. He is the new Stacey McGill, only far cooler. And an actual person.
- Kevin played piano! Such pure genuine joy this brought me!
- They sang the song from Camp Rock while rising into the air on a pedestal that eventually stopped about 30 feet in the air? I was afraid they'd fall off, especially since they had some extra band members up there! "I gotta fiiiind you!"
- They sang "Sweet Caroline" so that the parents could show they are into it too. Unfortunately, there were children that were young enough to be my kids, so I took that as a sign to go to town with this one as well. Even if it's the Red Sox song.
- We were dancing around in our seats and occasionally the 8 year old next to us with her own sidekick would stare like we had two heads. Old people like Jonas too, okay?!
- Live to party, bust your move!
- Kevin and Joe hosed down the entire right side of the audience with a massive fire hose. While Nick nonchalantly sat on stage playing drums.
- During "Love Bug", it started "raining" on our side of the stage. Eventually, I noticed that there were somehow shapes in the rain. Little hearts, the words "love bug", and then the silouettes of the Jonas Brothers! How? I do not know. Magic.
- Jordin came back out at the end of their set and sang her new hit single "Battlefield" with Joe, Kevin and Nick and it was ridiculously awesome. "Better go get your armor! GET YOUR ARMOR! Get your armor!" Also, she lovingly caressed Joe's face.
- I won't lie, I got a little sad at the end when they were bowing to the instrumental from "When You Look Me in the Eyes".
It really was a great set! I was kind of surprised at how mixed it was, I was expecting primarily stuff from the new album with just a few others thrown in, but they got a lot of the faves from the past two albums in there too! There was "Paranoid" and "Poison Ivy" and "Much Better" and "World War III", but there was also "BB Good" and "Tonight" and "S.O.S." and "Burnin' Up" and "Hold On" and "That's Just the Way We Roll". They are so energetic and put on such a great show. I got tired just watching them! And while it might be a little odd to love a group who's primary audience is young girls, they really do have some legit good music and they're super fun and what the hell, I'm a teenybopper at heart. I'm so glad we went!
So last night, we ventured out to Nassau Coliseum to see them in concert! We got there pretty early and hung around outside amidst many homemade Jonas t-shirts, shorts, socks and every other type of attire. I love seeing this kind of dedication, not even joking. Not to the point of participating to that level (though, ok, I did put on the shirt I purchased) but just the effort and how much fun everyone must have planning their outfits and making everything so that everyone knows how much they love the Jonas Brothers. I don’t know if it’s because there’s a little part of me that’s like that without the clothing or if it’s because I never really acted that way when I was that age or if just because I have that kind of appreciation for fan communities, even when they’re crazy, but I love it. I find it fascinating and fabulous! While waiting to get in, the guys of one of the opening acts, Honor Society, wandered by. People were not caring nearly as much as I thought they should, so I enthusiastically said “Hi!” as they passed and got an equally enthusiastic smile and greeting in return from one of them! Awww.
The opening acts were all pretty fun. Honor Society had a few catchy tunes, this weird girl group came out and sang a song that had about three words and then Jordin Sparks! Who kicks ass and takes names! Really loved getting to see her, all sassy and strutting around in heels and a glittering outfit. That girl can sing!
Then the lights went down and the glowsticks started waving and the screaming persisted for a very long time as "We Will Rock You" played and then there they were! Highlights:
- I love when Kevin spins and spins and spins like a top!
- Joe was on our edge of the catwalk, started sprinting up the ramp, over the stairs and leapt onto the piano. Amazing.
- Since Joe doesn't play any instruments, he spends a lot of time dancing with the other band members. Pretty hilariously, too. Sometimes, they act out skits.
- A bit into the set, Nick was left alone at a white grand piano. He started playing “Black Keys” for a bit, then went into “A Little Bit Longer”. After a verse or so, he stops playing and starts talking about how a few years ago, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, ending with something that I found dramatic, amusing, inspirational and amazing all at the same time. He started listing all of his accomplishments since being diagnosed. He then just started screaming, “Did I let it slow me down?” The crowd cheers and he screams “Did I LET it SLOW me DOWN?!” It was so amazing and I may or may not have reenacted various versions of it along the ride home. While Nick’s preacher voice makes me laugh, I truly think it’s wonderful that kids with diabetes have someone like Nick to look up to. It can’t be easy having to adjust your life around a disease like that at such a young age and knowing that Nick went through it and is still dealing with it but is living the crazy and exciting life he leads must really be a great thig for these kids to see. He is the new Stacey McGill, only far cooler. And an actual person.
- Kevin played piano! Such pure genuine joy this brought me!
- They sang the song from Camp Rock while rising into the air on a pedestal that eventually stopped about 30 feet in the air? I was afraid they'd fall off, especially since they had some extra band members up there! "I gotta fiiiind you!"
- They sang "Sweet Caroline" so that the parents could show they are into it too. Unfortunately, there were children that were young enough to be my kids, so I took that as a sign to go to town with this one as well. Even if it's the Red Sox song.
- We were dancing around in our seats and occasionally the 8 year old next to us with her own sidekick would stare like we had two heads. Old people like Jonas too, okay?!
- Live to party, bust your move!
- Kevin and Joe hosed down the entire right side of the audience with a massive fire hose. While Nick nonchalantly sat on stage playing drums.
- During "Love Bug", it started "raining" on our side of the stage. Eventually, I noticed that there were somehow shapes in the rain. Little hearts, the words "love bug", and then the silouettes of the Jonas Brothers! How? I do not know. Magic.
- Jordin came back out at the end of their set and sang her new hit single "Battlefield" with Joe, Kevin and Nick and it was ridiculously awesome. "Better go get your armor! GET YOUR ARMOR! Get your armor!" Also, she lovingly caressed Joe's face.
- I won't lie, I got a little sad at the end when they were bowing to the instrumental from "When You Look Me in the Eyes".
It really was a great set! I was kind of surprised at how mixed it was, I was expecting primarily stuff from the new album with just a few others thrown in, but they got a lot of the faves from the past two albums in there too! There was "Paranoid" and "Poison Ivy" and "Much Better" and "World War III", but there was also "BB Good" and "Tonight" and "S.O.S." and "Burnin' Up" and "Hold On" and "That's Just the Way We Roll". They are so energetic and put on such a great show. I got tired just watching them! And while it might be a little odd to love a group who's primary audience is young girls, they really do have some legit good music and they're super fun and what the hell, I'm a teenybopper at heart. I'm so glad we went!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
MJ
The death of Michael Jackson is one of those things that just makes you think. Take this person out of the world and where would we be? How many singers, performers and entertainers would not exist without the influence of this man? How many peoples lives were shaped and helped because of his talent and music?
I have specific memories attached to much of his music, though I was only a casual fan. "Man in the Mirror" is one of my favorite songs, to this day. He was a fabulous performer and created some amazing and timeless music. But most of all, he was huge. He was a presence. They don't make them like this anymore. His music will live on, but he will be missed.
I have specific memories attached to much of his music, though I was only a casual fan. "Man in the Mirror" is one of my favorite songs, to this day. He was a fabulous performer and created some amazing and timeless music. But most of all, he was huge. He was a presence. They don't make them like this anymore. His music will live on, but he will be missed.
Friday, June 12, 2009
lightning strikes. maybe once, maybe twice. and it lights up the night.
About three songs into last night, I'm staring up at the person towering over me. I notice after a few seconds that he's looking directly at me and I keep my gaze on him as he keeps playing, ever slightly moving forward. Then I realize my fingers have found their way onto the stage, only a few inches from his boots. I let out an exaggerated "oops!" and a second later, the booted foot is pounding the carpet where my fingers were just innocently resting.
In a lot of ways, that sums up the evening. I've gone on about what it's like to see a favorite band quite a few times in here. I'm starting to think that that feeling is always going to be there. There are certain things that just don't lose their awesomeness and being within an arms reach of Lindsey Buckingham might be the top of that list for me.
When I got to MSG, I went to the seat I purchased on the floor. Within minutes, I realized that there were people mingling around the front of the stage. I did not want to push my luck, but figured if they were standing around up there, I could at least go check it out. I went up there, casually parked myself just to the right of Lindsey's microphone, in between his monitor and the speaker. I assumed eventually someone would come and tell me I couldn't stay there, but no one ever did. So there I stayed. For the majority of the evening, he was right there, just to the left. From time to time, when he didn't need to sing for awhile, he'd swoop into that spot between the monitor and the speaker, fingers flying over guitar strings. The spot right in front of my face. I'm not sure it can get much better than that.
Due to the monitor, I could barely see Stevie, but I was okay with that. I adore her but not to the level I do him and I was able to stretch back and make sure to catch my favorite moments. She looked gorgeous and sounded absolutely fabulous, especially on "Gypsy" and "Gold Dust Woman", which was so intense. Lindsey is kind of a ham during her songs too, which was a bit too entertaining (I really should be trying to watch HER during her songs, no?) During "Stand Back" he was just dancing around, mouthing the words, interacting with us like he was just another Stevie Nicks fan, only he happened to be on stage and playing guitar. Watching him zone out and just play on the less complicated songs, seeing what second nature it is for him, was pretty cool. And of course, having the moments of amazingness where it was just him and the guitar were totally awesome. "Big Love", "Never Going Back Again", "Oh Well", I could watch him play those for days. An extra perk to the spot was that Mick was directly in my line of vision, so I had a few chances to just focus on him going at it and there's nothing like watching an amazing, kickass drummer let loose. His crazy faces never fail to amuse/terrify me!
The last song of the show was "Silver Springs" and as it wound down, Stevie sounding fabulous, both of them in that state the history of the song and their relationship puts them in, I found myself totally transported. There's nothing like being in the moment with your favorite people, creating right in front of you. It's amazing, it's awesome, it's thrilling and I don't think it can ever get old.
In a lot of ways, that sums up the evening. I've gone on about what it's like to see a favorite band quite a few times in here. I'm starting to think that that feeling is always going to be there. There are certain things that just don't lose their awesomeness and being within an arms reach of Lindsey Buckingham might be the top of that list for me.
When I got to MSG, I went to the seat I purchased on the floor. Within minutes, I realized that there were people mingling around the front of the stage. I did not want to push my luck, but figured if they were standing around up there, I could at least go check it out. I went up there, casually parked myself just to the right of Lindsey's microphone, in between his monitor and the speaker. I assumed eventually someone would come and tell me I couldn't stay there, but no one ever did. So there I stayed. For the majority of the evening, he was right there, just to the left. From time to time, when he didn't need to sing for awhile, he'd swoop into that spot between the monitor and the speaker, fingers flying over guitar strings. The spot right in front of my face. I'm not sure it can get much better than that.
Due to the monitor, I could barely see Stevie, but I was okay with that. I adore her but not to the level I do him and I was able to stretch back and make sure to catch my favorite moments. She looked gorgeous and sounded absolutely fabulous, especially on "Gypsy" and "Gold Dust Woman", which was so intense. Lindsey is kind of a ham during her songs too, which was a bit too entertaining (I really should be trying to watch HER during her songs, no?) During "Stand Back" he was just dancing around, mouthing the words, interacting with us like he was just another Stevie Nicks fan, only he happened to be on stage and playing guitar. Watching him zone out and just play on the less complicated songs, seeing what second nature it is for him, was pretty cool. And of course, having the moments of amazingness where it was just him and the guitar were totally awesome. "Big Love", "Never Going Back Again", "Oh Well", I could watch him play those for days. An extra perk to the spot was that Mick was directly in my line of vision, so I had a few chances to just focus on him going at it and there's nothing like watching an amazing, kickass drummer let loose. His crazy faces never fail to amuse/terrify me!
The last song of the show was "Silver Springs" and as it wound down, Stevie sounding fabulous, both of them in that state the history of the song and their relationship puts them in, I found myself totally transported. There's nothing like being in the moment with your favorite people, creating right in front of you. It's amazing, it's awesome, it's thrilling and I don't think it can ever get old.
Monday, March 2, 2009
what you've got to realize, what we're doin' is not a trend
Lately, I have really been embracing the fact that pop music makes me happy. Those who know me know that I really love the separate entities of music. Good lyrics, impressive guitar work, solid bass and drum lines. Basically, I love the parts as much as I love the whole. With pop though, it's all about the catchiness, the simplicity, being able to get away from overthinking and just giving yourself over to the fun of it. I am a firm believer that a song doesn't need to be all that well-crafted to be fun, in fact, sometimes it's more fun when it's NOT that good. Sometimes all it needs is a hook and some not-too-deep lyrics, but, of course, I also appreciate the fun, catchy songs that do have a little more than meets the eye as well. Basically, if it makes me want to roll down the windows and blare it and sing along, it's good.
My friend and I went to see Jonas Brothers 3D on Friday. I think when I first heard this was happening, I wanted to go to laugh at it. My place with the Jonas Brothers is a little weird, mostly because I think I am too old to like them as much as I do. I actually put off listening to them because I was afraid I would like them and then would have to figure out what to do with that like. I finally did it anyway and from the first day I was familiar with them, I could not begrudge them. Say what you want about their voices, their image, their corporate Disneyfication, they are three guys who write their own songs, play some of their own instruments and put on a damn good show. I started to love certain songs of theirs because listening to them made me happy. I spent so much of the actual age of boybands listening to Fleetwood Mac and REM, but I also spent an awful lot of time listening to Middle of Nowhere and N'Sync and it would be a lie if I said that I didn't buy Millenium the day it came out and even have a Backstreet Boys poster up in my room for a short time. That little bit of pop fan that lived in me when I actually was 15 is still a part of that 15 year old that refuses to exit my system and can't deny the Jonas Brothers.
And yet I still went to this movie with the mindset that I was only going because I was curious. Like, oh my God, this movie exists and I can go and pretend I love them and dance around to all the songs that I happen to know because I only like them ironically. It only took a few minutes for me to realize that I may actually legitimately love them. I think it was around the third laugh at Kevin Jonas. The first two were closer to the camp of ""OMG KEVIN JONAAAAS!" because he was being hardcore dork and I was like, seriously, what are you doing? Then they just started to be closer to "OMG KEVIN JONAAAAAS" because he was being hardcore dork and I was like, omg, I love you, the pop world needs more of you, marry me. Then Joe and Nick started doing back flips and when they pounded drums, water came flying up into our 3D glasses-wearing faces and then I almost got hit in the head with Nick's drum stick and I reached out to touch Joe's hand and Kevin spun around four times fast while still playing guitar chords and I kept realizing what a freaking frontman Joe is (and how he can sing better than I thought) and then they all stood around in Central Park and Nick played a white piano and Joe wore a red bowtie and pigeons flew at me and I think that's when I declared that I was having the most amazing experience I'd ever had in a movie theater. Totally cheesy, I'm going to act like I'm twelve years younger than I am, fun.
What's really great about a movie that takes place at a concert is that because you kind of want it to be an actual concert, it starts to become one a little bit. We'd clap along when Kevin told us to, sing when they pointed the mic in our faces, cheer when the best songs started up and cheer some more when they ended. By the end, there were even a few people who would stand up and dance for a few seconds before sitting back down. I can see this thing becoming a little out of hand as far as the participation goes, yet if it does, I'd want to be there for it! My favorite was when one little girl in the front stood up to touch Joe, as if he was really right there, prompting all these people to yell "sit. DOWN!" Amazing.
And I mean, there is a reason why these guys have the devotion of the amount of people that they do. People put down pop acts because of a lack of depth or musicianship but that's not what it is about. These are performers. If you're lucky, they happen to write their own music or play an instrument and be more than just a pretty face. Sometimes they dance and harmonize, sometimes they play their own guitar parts, sometimes they really do just run around the stage looking good and getting people psyched up, but they put on massive, entertaining shows. It's funny too because I've seen fans of classic rock acting like this concept of people who have limited writing/playing experience and mostly just sing and perform is purely generational and this wave of it is so baffling. This genre of music has existed for a long time, maybe not as corporately pushed as it is now, but the quality and style of music is nothing new. Leif Garrett, the Bay City Rollers, David Cassidy and the like all existed at the same time what we now consider classic rock was being created. Tiger Beat was launched in the 60s and it's main purpose was to give teenage girls/fans more info on their idols. So the concept has been kicking around for awhile. And really, if the worst thing a 12 year old girl is doing is finding singing/songwriting/purity-ring wearing Nick Jonas to be the best thing since sliced bread, well, that's better than a LOT of other things.
If only my weekend of pop music ended there, but no. I went to a friend's for the weekend and we ended up watching N'Sync's PopOdyssey in its entirety, which just furthered my love for the genre and proved even more so how powerful it can be. I mean, these guys knew how to put on a SHOW. By this point in their career, it was bordering on ridiculous, with the set changes and the costumes and props (and mechanical bulls?), but even aside from all of that, they do not stop the entire time. Just running around, full out dancing, singing and sounding great. That moment where Justin falls to his knees during "Gone" is one of my favorite moments in entertainment history. It's just a world of its own. A world that I am happy to visit from time to time.
While I'm on the topic, if you like insanely catchy pop songs, check out Tinted Windows' "Kind of a Girl". It took me a few listens to decide how I felt about this song but I have settled in with "Holy crap, this is a catchy song!" and I've even started my usual deconstruction ("this guitar solo is so crunchy!") But at the end of the day, a catchy, fun pop song and I'm digging it!
My friend and I went to see Jonas Brothers 3D on Friday. I think when I first heard this was happening, I wanted to go to laugh at it. My place with the Jonas Brothers is a little weird, mostly because I think I am too old to like them as much as I do. I actually put off listening to them because I was afraid I would like them and then would have to figure out what to do with that like. I finally did it anyway and from the first day I was familiar with them, I could not begrudge them. Say what you want about their voices, their image, their corporate Disneyfication, they are three guys who write their own songs, play some of their own instruments and put on a damn good show. I started to love certain songs of theirs because listening to them made me happy. I spent so much of the actual age of boybands listening to Fleetwood Mac and REM, but I also spent an awful lot of time listening to Middle of Nowhere and N'Sync and it would be a lie if I said that I didn't buy Millenium the day it came out and even have a Backstreet Boys poster up in my room for a short time. That little bit of pop fan that lived in me when I actually was 15 is still a part of that 15 year old that refuses to exit my system and can't deny the Jonas Brothers.
And yet I still went to this movie with the mindset that I was only going because I was curious. Like, oh my God, this movie exists and I can go and pretend I love them and dance around to all the songs that I happen to know because I only like them ironically. It only took a few minutes for me to realize that I may actually legitimately love them. I think it was around the third laugh at Kevin Jonas. The first two were closer to the camp of ""OMG KEVIN JONAAAAS!" because he was being hardcore dork and I was like, seriously, what are you doing? Then they just started to be closer to "OMG KEVIN JONAAAAAS" because he was being hardcore dork and I was like, omg, I love you, the pop world needs more of you, marry me. Then Joe and Nick started doing back flips and when they pounded drums, water came flying up into our 3D glasses-wearing faces and then I almost got hit in the head with Nick's drum stick and I reached out to touch Joe's hand and Kevin spun around four times fast while still playing guitar chords and I kept realizing what a freaking frontman Joe is (and how he can sing better than I thought) and then they all stood around in Central Park and Nick played a white piano and Joe wore a red bowtie and pigeons flew at me and I think that's when I declared that I was having the most amazing experience I'd ever had in a movie theater. Totally cheesy, I'm going to act like I'm twelve years younger than I am, fun.
What's really great about a movie that takes place at a concert is that because you kind of want it to be an actual concert, it starts to become one a little bit. We'd clap along when Kevin told us to, sing when they pointed the mic in our faces, cheer when the best songs started up and cheer some more when they ended. By the end, there were even a few people who would stand up and dance for a few seconds before sitting back down. I can see this thing becoming a little out of hand as far as the participation goes, yet if it does, I'd want to be there for it! My favorite was when one little girl in the front stood up to touch Joe, as if he was really right there, prompting all these people to yell "sit. DOWN!" Amazing.
And I mean, there is a reason why these guys have the devotion of the amount of people that they do. People put down pop acts because of a lack of depth or musicianship but that's not what it is about. These are performers. If you're lucky, they happen to write their own music or play an instrument and be more than just a pretty face. Sometimes they dance and harmonize, sometimes they play their own guitar parts, sometimes they really do just run around the stage looking good and getting people psyched up, but they put on massive, entertaining shows. It's funny too because I've seen fans of classic rock acting like this concept of people who have limited writing/playing experience and mostly just sing and perform is purely generational and this wave of it is so baffling. This genre of music has existed for a long time, maybe not as corporately pushed as it is now, but the quality and style of music is nothing new. Leif Garrett, the Bay City Rollers, David Cassidy and the like all existed at the same time what we now consider classic rock was being created. Tiger Beat was launched in the 60s and it's main purpose was to give teenage girls/fans more info on their idols. So the concept has been kicking around for awhile. And really, if the worst thing a 12 year old girl is doing is finding singing/songwriting/purity-ring wearing Nick Jonas to be the best thing since sliced bread, well, that's better than a LOT of other things.
If only my weekend of pop music ended there, but no. I went to a friend's for the weekend and we ended up watching N'Sync's PopOdyssey in its entirety, which just furthered my love for the genre and proved even more so how powerful it can be. I mean, these guys knew how to put on a SHOW. By this point in their career, it was bordering on ridiculous, with the set changes and the costumes and props (and mechanical bulls?), but even aside from all of that, they do not stop the entire time. Just running around, full out dancing, singing and sounding great. That moment where Justin falls to his knees during "Gone" is one of my favorite moments in entertainment history. It's just a world of its own. A world that I am happy to visit from time to time.
While I'm on the topic, if you like insanely catchy pop songs, check out Tinted Windows' "Kind of a Girl". It took me a few listens to decide how I felt about this song but I have settled in with "Holy crap, this is a catchy song!" and I've even started my usual deconstruction ("this guitar solo is so crunchy!") But at the end of the day, a catchy, fun pop song and I'm digging it!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
bye-bye virgin
I can't even begin to say how depressed I am about the Virgin Megastore in Times Square closing.
It's been awhile since the news was released but the liquidation "sale" (I put that in quotes because everything is 20% the list price, which is actually more than a lot of stuff usually is!) started this week. Just the whole "Going out of Business!", "Everything Must Go!" aspect of it all is really sad! I've gotten so much stuff in that store, killed so much time in that store. I've run there on lunch breaks to pick up CDs on the day they were released, I've gone there before shows to browse, I've checked certain sections so many times in hopes of random stuff being there and succeeded. I've gotten attached to having a place to go to buy a CD or a book or DVD. With this Virgin closing and the one in Union Square not far behind, there's hardly anywhere to do that anymore. It's not even that I actually purchase a whole lot there anymore, which says a lot as to why it's closing because I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I like that it is THERE. It's my first big NYC institution that is closing!
I went to the Union Square one this afternoon, just to browse and ended up getting a Cheap Trick CD for $5 and Tales of the Beadle Bard for $10 (I'm so behind on that!). Then I decided to go to Times Square just to see what the sale was doing and ended up buying Season 6 of ER for 20% off, which was actually a good deal since I've never seen those discounted before. That's my favorite season! Seeing Carter this week made me want to watch him in all his glory. I was just going to add "His NON-DYING glory" and then realized that Carter actually spends some of Season 6 trying not to die too, so that doesn't even work!
But it is sad. I do not want it to go away!
It's been awhile since the news was released but the liquidation "sale" (I put that in quotes because everything is 20% the list price, which is actually more than a lot of stuff usually is!) started this week. Just the whole "Going out of Business!", "Everything Must Go!" aspect of it all is really sad! I've gotten so much stuff in that store, killed so much time in that store. I've run there on lunch breaks to pick up CDs on the day they were released, I've gone there before shows to browse, I've checked certain sections so many times in hopes of random stuff being there and succeeded. I've gotten attached to having a place to go to buy a CD or a book or DVD. With this Virgin closing and the one in Union Square not far behind, there's hardly anywhere to do that anymore. It's not even that I actually purchase a whole lot there anymore, which says a lot as to why it's closing because I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I like that it is THERE. It's my first big NYC institution that is closing!
I went to the Union Square one this afternoon, just to browse and ended up getting a Cheap Trick CD for $5 and Tales of the Beadle Bard for $10 (I'm so behind on that!). Then I decided to go to Times Square just to see what the sale was doing and ended up buying Season 6 of ER for 20% off, which was actually a good deal since I've never seen those discounted before. That's my favorite season! Seeing Carter this week made me want to watch him in all his glory. I was just going to add "His NON-DYING glory" and then realized that Carter actually spends some of Season 6 trying not to die too, so that doesn't even work!
But it is sad. I do not want it to go away!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
hi, i love this band
So, I have liked Kings of Leon for awhile now, thanks to a friend recommending them to me not too long after their most recent album came out. I think she said something along the lines of "they actually make real rock music and it's good" or something along those lines and so I gave them a shot. Ever since seeing them live last week, I've been even more into them, as I tend to do. You've all met me. Anyway, I decided they should be introduced properly, for they are awesome (and, this just in, GRAMMY-WINNING!)
This is them, from the Grammy Red Carpet tonight!
L to R:
- Caleb Followill, 26, lead singer/rhythm guitarist. If you've heard any of their songs without knowing it, he is the one who thinks your sex is on fire. He also wants to use somebody. He has a voice that is like a mix of all the most amazing things in the world of music. It's all rugged and raw and so freaking sexy. Also, he's hot.
- Nathan Followill, 29, drummer. I love drummers, as a fact of life, but Nathan earns his love. In some great combination of his talent and the mix of their albums, his drum lines are so present and vivid and pounding in every song and it makes them even more addicting. I was also able to get myself an okay view of him when I saw them live and he was just awesome to watch. I think he has like, three floor toms, amazing. Also, despite being the opposite of most things I find attractive in men, he's hot.
- Matthew Followill, 24, lead guitar. Matthew looks 15 and for that alone, I love him. It kind of makes him stand out among the three brothers (he's their cousin). Oh, also, he plays some pretty awesome guitar. Never too overwhelming or show-offy, just well-placed and usually quite exciting.
- Jared Followill, 22, bass. Like Nathan's drums, Jared's bass lines are so present in each song, so much a part of what makes each song work so well and makes them so addicting. Really, really awesome stuff, he does.
Liking this band has been pretty fun for me. First of all, they possess a lot of classic rock-like qualities that I have always loved but have not been able to find in many bands of my own generation. They are music. They are solid guitars and drums and bass and vocals and words and they create an amazing sound. I tend to love bands of brothers (seriously, four of my favorite bands are comprised of brothers/family) and I think part of that is because I love the quality of music that comes from people who have literally been doing this together their entire lives. That quality can't be created out of nothing. I love the tightness of the sound, the creation that's allowed and the dynamics of the band that comes from that kind of circumstance. It's also fun to love a band that's just hitting big as we speak. I was at their first sold-out arena show in this country, despite the fact that they've been putting out albums for six years. They are huge in the UK and Australia for years, but they are just now hitting here and it's exciting to watch happen, even if there's that every present missing of the boat feeling that I always have. It would have been cool to be into them prior to this, but to be honest, I'm not sure I would have loved them as much if I hadn't heard Only by the Night first. I love the earlier stuff now but it helps that I know what it led to and what it led to is more my style. And now, they're winning Grammy's and announcing spring stadium tours and people are bitching that they've changed from that down home southern band from Tennessee, but hot damn, they're amazing all around, now and then, and I'm really excited to like them so much! They are kickass, for real.
For a nice taste of the band, watch these!
Sex on Fire
Use Somebody
Fans
Notion
This is them, from the Grammy Red Carpet tonight!
L to R:
- Caleb Followill, 26, lead singer/rhythm guitarist. If you've heard any of their songs without knowing it, he is the one who thinks your sex is on fire. He also wants to use somebody. He has a voice that is like a mix of all the most amazing things in the world of music. It's all rugged and raw and so freaking sexy. Also, he's hot.
- Nathan Followill, 29, drummer. I love drummers, as a fact of life, but Nathan earns his love. In some great combination of his talent and the mix of their albums, his drum lines are so present and vivid and pounding in every song and it makes them even more addicting. I was also able to get myself an okay view of him when I saw them live and he was just awesome to watch. I think he has like, three floor toms, amazing. Also, despite being the opposite of most things I find attractive in men, he's hot.
- Matthew Followill, 24, lead guitar. Matthew looks 15 and for that alone, I love him. It kind of makes him stand out among the three brothers (he's their cousin). Oh, also, he plays some pretty awesome guitar. Never too overwhelming or show-offy, just well-placed and usually quite exciting.
- Jared Followill, 22, bass. Like Nathan's drums, Jared's bass lines are so present in each song, so much a part of what makes each song work so well and makes them so addicting. Really, really awesome stuff, he does.
Liking this band has been pretty fun for me. First of all, they possess a lot of classic rock-like qualities that I have always loved but have not been able to find in many bands of my own generation. They are music. They are solid guitars and drums and bass and vocals and words and they create an amazing sound. I tend to love bands of brothers (seriously, four of my favorite bands are comprised of brothers/family) and I think part of that is because I love the quality of music that comes from people who have literally been doing this together their entire lives. That quality can't be created out of nothing. I love the tightness of the sound, the creation that's allowed and the dynamics of the band that comes from that kind of circumstance. It's also fun to love a band that's just hitting big as we speak. I was at their first sold-out arena show in this country, despite the fact that they've been putting out albums for six years. They are huge in the UK and Australia for years, but they are just now hitting here and it's exciting to watch happen, even if there's that every present missing of the boat feeling that I always have. It would have been cool to be into them prior to this, but to be honest, I'm not sure I would have loved them as much if I hadn't heard Only by the Night first. I love the earlier stuff now but it helps that I know what it led to and what it led to is more my style. And now, they're winning Grammy's and announcing spring stadium tours and people are bitching that they've changed from that down home southern band from Tennessee, but hot damn, they're amazing all around, now and then, and I'm really excited to like them so much! They are kickass, for real.
For a nice taste of the band, watch these!
Sex on Fire
Use Somebody
Fans
Notion
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
