concert review, Entertainment, Music, Tours

Concert review: Arcade Fire

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Band: Arcade Fire

Venue: Bank Of America Pavilion

I had the EXTREME pleasure of seeing Arcade Fire live last night. And I was blown away. Everything about it completely had me reeling from beginning to end. Opening act Young Galaxy were probably the best opening act I’ve seen. Sounding like a mixture of MUSE and Arcade Fire, they played songs off their recent release Invisible Republic. About 30 minutes later, the Arcade Fire took to the stage to the roar of the sold out pavilion. Opening with The Suburbs’ Ready To Start the entire place was mesmerized by the band. My only complaint is that the band played too many tracks off The Suburbs when not many people knew the songs. However, the songs everyone knew (No Cars Go, Intervention, Neighborhood 1-3, Rebellion (Lies) etc.) everyone sang their hearts out. Overall, a phenomenal show which I would see again in a heartbeat.

Overall: A-

Set-list:

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/arcade-fire/2010/bank-of-america-pavilion-boston-ma-1bd441dc.html

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Album Review: The Long Haul

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Album name: The Long Haul

Band: eating alone

Released: 2010

The Long Haul is an album by electro-acoustic band eating alone. The band is made of only multi-instrumentalist Matt Cameron. Matt Cameron blew me away with his debut album, The Long Haul. The album deals with the subject of Cameron’s estranged father and the various feeling, thoughts and emotions he went through dealing with it. The sound of the album is very dreamy and very atmospheric with acoustic guitar throughout. The lyrics pull on your heartstrings, as they are blunt and to the point on some songs and poetic on others. The production is great seeing as the record was completely produced solely by Matt Cameron. Overlapping vocal tracks and glass crashing are really cool tricks used on the songs. Overall, I highly recommend this album.

P.S Look at the names of the songs in order. Kinda cool, eh?

Song By Song:

The Long Haul- A-/B+. Great production

When I Was A Kid– B+. Indian-sitar feel to this.

You Were Never Around- B

I Though If I Had Been Better- A. Heartbreaking.

You Wouldn’t HAve Given Me Up- A-

And I Wouldn’t Have To Pretend To Forget About You- A-/B+

Whoever You Are- A. Great little song.

Over The Years I’ve Wondered Where You’ve Been- A-. Nihilistic.

And Tonight, In This Hotel Room- B+/A-

I Wonder If I’ll Ever See You Again- A-/B+

I Sent This In A Letter- B

But It Got To You Too Late- B+

And Came Back Crumpled, Saying- A. My favorite track on the album.

Person Unknown, Return To Sender- A-

Overall Grade: A-/B+



CD Review, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: That’s How We Burn [2010]

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Band: Jaill
Release: 7/2010
Label: Sub Pop

1. “The Stroller” – A-
2. “Everyone’s Hip” – A-
3. “On the Beat” – A-
4. “Thank Us Later” – A-
5. “Summer Mess” – B+
6. “She’s My Baby” – A-
7. “Snake Shakes” – B+
8. “Demon” – B+
9. “Baby I” – B+
10. “How’s the Grave” – B+
11. “That’s How We Burn” – A-

Comments: Bringing to mind the likes of The B-52s and other pop, yet weird mainstream acts of yesteryear, Jaill’s all right. “The Stroller” is a post-punk revival jam with strong streaks of catchiness. Despite it being a fairly unoriginal jam, it still’s great on the ears. “Everyone’s Hip” reeks of ‘alternative’ genius. No complaints on the powerpop/post-punk flavored “On the Beat,” either. The Shins comparisons are justifiable on the vocal-centric “Thank Us Later,” surely one of the better songs on here. Some songs that I’d normally think are great just don’t have the memorable kind of chops I wish they had. What I thought may have been a near-the-top album for me turns out to be lost in the midst of above-average obscurity.

Grade: B+ (89)

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Concert Expectations: Arcade Fire

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I am lucky enough to have tickets to the sold out Arcade Fire show at the Bank Of America Pavilion this Sunday. With their new album The Suburbs getting generally pretty positive reviews, here are some of my expectations.

Expectations: I expect, first of all, to have a soar throat the next day. I will be belting every song (except the ones off The Suburbs that I haven’t heard yet.) Next, I expect a lot of people there to be there just because of Wake Up. There will still be die hard Arcade Fire fans, like myself, there just there will be a bunch of people who got turned onto them because of Where The Wild Things Are. Finally, I generally expect a mind blowing-ly good show. Arcade Fire is one of the best live rock acts going today and I want them to live up to their reputation. I’ll see if the Canadian Septet can blow me away.

Boston based shows/fests – DIY, punk, noise