Two Shows

I used to live the rock and roll lifestyle. Back when I could handle going out four nights a week and live on minimal sleep. I don't know what happened to my tolerance but I just don't have it anymore. I didn't mind I was always the shortest person at the show and had the tallest person there in front of me. The dodging and dancing helped me work around them and maintain my view. Perhaps the dodging and dancing was also helped out by the copious amounts of vodka tonics and weed consumed as well. But it is safe to say I reserve my show intake for groups I truly love and have some experience with in terms of what I will see. At any rate, within the past few weeks I did manage to take in Yo La Tengo at The Fillmore and Kristin Hersh at the Swedish American Hall.

Yo La Tengo performed in March of 2002 at The Fillmore the last time I saw them. Summer Sun had just been released and fell in love with it immediately. It's such a great album and the one before it, And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out was even better! They did their switch-a-roo of playing different instruments, were so much fun, and put on a great show. So when their new album came out "I'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Kick Your Ass", I saw the tickets go on sale and jumped at the chance to see them again. Apparently I should have listened to the CD first. They should now be called Yo La Noodle. It was as if different spirits had been channeled into them at The Fillmore and it was as if the Grateful Dead mashed up with Sonic Youth. Mind you these are two bands which I L-O-V-E love, just not together! (Sorry Mistycans, I do love the Grateful Dead and can be found from time to time twirling around my apartment "Riding that train" with Casey Jones.) They noodled themselves into a frenzy of feedback and screeching which just wasn't what I was expecting. Disappointed? Yes. And so is the recent album. It is a noodlefest of sad emotive sadness without a point. Where did the days of "Let's Burn Down Tony Orlando's House" go? Oh, and the opening band, WHY? should have been called WHY BOTHER! Not good.

Last weekend we went to see Kristin Hersh at the Swedish American Hall. She was fantastic as always. She started the show just like any other, with Gazebo Tree. She's just so freaky the way her head sways back and forth and she picks her "spot" to watch on the back wall and stares at it for the rest of the show. She is brilliant and I love her. This is the second time within a few months that I have gotten to see her. How lucky! 50 Foot Wave and Throwing Muses are playing at the GAMH on December 16th to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of their first album House Tornado. Unfortunately we will be on our way to Hawaii that evening and can't attend. It's probably the only excuse I have to miss the show. It will be good!

Here's to better luck next time with seeing bands in the future. I haven't given up but surely have gotten more picky.