Top 10 Albums of the Year

Here is my Top 10 Albums of the Year. The list could probably change in a few weeks since I'm leaving off a few good albums that I'm uncomfortable putting on a Top 10 with only one or two listens under my belt.

10. Ben Folds - Way to Normal
9. Jack Johnson - Sleeping Through The Static
With Ben Folds and Jack Johnson you pretty much know what you're going to get and I find that comforting.
8. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Seeing "Kids" performed live was one of the highlights of my summer. I liked the first two singles off the album and was pleasantly surprised it turned out to be a pretty solid album throughout.
7. Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us
If I was doing a list of Top 10 singles of '08, "Get Better" would be jockeying for a top spot. I'm a sucker for male and female harmonies.
6. Gary Louris - Vagabonds
I loved The Jayhawks and for awhile I was on Team Mark Olsen, but within the last few years I've jumped ship. This is a solid album with some great guests. Don't be surprised to see the Mark Olsen/Gary Louris collaboration on my Best of '09 list next year.
5. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Unfortunately this album would have been a top 3 for me but I'm too easily swayed by how a band is live. And if you read our comments on the Okkervil River show this year you know I was disappointed. Maybe they'll just have to be a really good studio band for me...like my Steely Dan perhaps.
4. She & Him - Volume 1
I'm very much looking forward to Volume 2. It was exciting to learn that her voice carries over live too. It gives me the same kind of feeling as the Matthew Sweet and Suzanna Hoffs : Under the Covers Volume 1 gave me...which was good.
3. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
I feel like I pork MMJ enough on this blog so go back and read it if you really need to know how I feel about this album.
2. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Getting to see them twice on their Stay Positive tour helped out this ranking alot. Not to say that it wouldn't have been top 5 but I listen to this album and it brings back great memories. Constructive Summer might be one of those songs I play on a loop every Memorial Day for the rest of my life.
1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Crazy harmonizing. I actually got into the game really late with this album. But since I got it a few months ago I haven't been able to go more than two consecutive days without listening to it. I'm looking to putting it on during a heavy snowstorm while drinking some sort of seasonal winter lager.

I'll drop some honorable mentions in there too:
-Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Would have easily been in there if the year ended in September. Enjoyable album except for the Blake's Got a New Face song which is my least favorite songs of the year. They started to wear on me a tad so they fell a little.
-Weezer - Red Album
If for no other reason that every time I hear Weezer it brings me back to some happy teenage places. Average album compared to the Blue Album and Pinkerton but still enjoyable. "Greatest Man Who Ever Lived" would probably have a spot on my Top 20 song countdown.

My apologies to:
Deerhunter, Matt Costa, Death Cab for Cutie, Jenny Lewis, Bon Iver, Neil Diamond, Aimee Mann, Calexico and Blitzen Trapper. For one reason or another I didn't spend enough time with your 2008 release or just haven't gotten it yet.

1. The Shield - Possible Kill Screen - Original Air date: 11/18/08

This is another penultimate episode of a series. The series finale of The Shield could have easily had my top spot as it was one of (if not the best) series finales ever. But the reason I chose "Possible Kill Screen" instead was because it had the best scene in television this year. When Vic Mackey sits in front of that microphone about to confess all of his sins I actually almost had to pause it to compose myself. Then to actually hear him say it all (and who was around to hear it) was as intense as fiction can get. It was honestly the only non-sports related thing I've ever watched on television that I couldn't sleep afterwards.

**Bonus note** -- The Shield gets kudos from me for having an episode title so fitting to the plot and also a great pop-culture reference. "Possible Kill Screen" is reference to King of Kong which is one of my favorite documentaries.

2. The Wire - Late Editions - Original Air date: 3/2/08

Series finales usually show where characters are going to end up after the show finishes, but penultimate episodes is where the s**t goes down. So with The Wire being one of the best shows ever to on television, it was no surprise that they ended perfectly. Seeing the final actions that lead all the characters down their future paths is both heartbreaking and satisfying.

3. Lost - The Constant - Original Air date: 2/28/08

As I mentioned earlier, when I watch a serial based drama, I like my payoffs. I've always watched Lost and was going to watch it til the end regardless of it's quality. I've invested too much time not to see how it ends. Lost spent a good season and half not telling us anything and actually went from must-see on Wednesday night to something I could watch on DVR the next day. This past season though got back to what was great about Lost and this episode was the "gamechanger" for me. Not only was it based around my favorite character (Desmond), it was just a complete mind "F" of a concept. Somehow they fit a crazy time jumping adventure and an epic love story into 44 minutes and it didn't even seem rushed. I still haven't deleted it from my DVR yet.

4. 30 Rock - Subway Hero - Original Air date: 4/17/08

David Puddy (Seinfeld) was probably my favorite recurring character on a television show ever. I don't know if he's passed him yet, but Dean Winters' ("Beeper King" and Exonerated Sex Predator) Dennis Duffy on 30 Rock is gaining on him fast. Out of his five appearences so far, Subway Hero was his best episode. He saves someone's life in a subway station and becomes a local hero. Everything out his mouth has been quoted by me and my friends a couple of hundred times since it aired. And the "B" story about Jack trying to pull Tracy over to the Republican Party was good for some laughs too.

"I knew that girl was eighteen. She told me her last boyfriend was Asian, and that crap doesn't start until college." --Dennis Duffy

A Best of 2008 List - Television Edition

What fun is having a blog if you can't force your end of the year lists upon people. My first crack at it is going to be my Top 5 Best Episodes of Television in 2008. I'll try to do at least one a day for the next week.

5. Mad Men - The Jet Set - Original Air date: 10/12/08
When I'm watching a serial based drama I usually like my payoffs early and often. Mad Men does not do this. The whole series is a slow burn. But it does it in a way where, not only I'm I not annoyed, but I don't even care if they tell me anything new. For the first time in Mad Men we leave the East Coast and see Don Draper make some uncharacteristic decisions. We know that he's unfaithful and he lies so it's not a leap of faith to believe he would have a dalliance with someone in California, but to blindly follow a woman and blow off work responsibilities in the process was actually as exciting you can get on Mad Men.

The Shield Finale

The end is near! I've got about seven hours to kill before paying witness to the close of one of the greatest television series of all-time. And if the last three episodes are any indication, this could go down as one of the most satisfying endings EVER. A couple seasons back, I almost wrote off the show when they killed off Lem. To me, he was the only sympathetic character and after he died, there was nobody else to care about.

Well, I was wrong. I care about where they all wind up. Will Mackey's deal fall through? Will Ronnie exact revenge before being cuffed? Will Shane end his family's misery by his own hand? Will Claudette completely snap? Will Dutch get taken down by a budding serial killer? Will Julien remember that he's gay?

The greatness of this show is that I really don't know how it's all going to shake out, but whatever the outcome, it will make perfect sense. There will be no last-second reversals, no out-of-character moments. Their arcs are galvanized; their actions will follow suit.

The build-up to tonight's show got me thinking of the finales of some of my other favorite series. Most of them ranged from disappointing (Seinfeld, The Sopranoes, Twin Peaks, St. Elsewhere) to somewhat satisfying (Arrested Development, The Wire, Oz). I can't recall one that was great.

I guess the perfect finale is impossible, especially when you are so invested in the show and its characters. First, you don't want it to end. Second, endings are hard to nail. Third, everyone has their own vision of how they think it should play out.

Tonight, I plan to pour myself a healthy glass of wine, kick back, and let the tension of the last seven seasons finally unravel.

It better not suck.

Getting Inside Hymn -- Reckoner

Reckoner
by Radiohead

Reckoner

You can't take it with you

Dancing for your pleasure

You are not to blame for

Bittersweet distractor

Dare not speak its name

Dedicated to all you all human beings
Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore (in rainbows)

Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore (in rainbows)
Reckoner

Take me with you

Dedicated to all you all human beings

Huh??

I'm not even going to pretend that I know what these lyrics are about. I can take a stab at what the lyrics are supposed to elicit: detachment, yearning and loss. Then again, that description can sum up the entire Radiohead catalog.

Before getting into the song, I think I should first give my take on Radiohead as a band. My history with them dates back to about 1995, when The Bends came out. The ensuing love affair can be explained in three words: Fake. Plastic. Trees. Upon hearing Thom Yorke's beautiful, powerfully vulnerable voice on that track, I was hooked. The entire album, in my opinion, is near perfect. The sound was a haunting mix of lavish layers and grinding rawness. It was the church and the sump behind it. This contrast connected with me to the degree that The Bends became a defining album in my musical life.

Their follow-up, 1998's OK Computer, took my appreciation to a new level. Even more isolated and ambitious than The Bends, OK Computer pretty much blew me away. As a whole, the album isn't as consistent as its predecessor, but the highs are unparalelled. Songs like Paranoid Android, Let Down, Karma Police and No Surprises play down in an endless loop in the part of my brain that I like to occasionally visit (but wish I could live in). So, it's fair to say that Radiohead became a very important band to me.

Yet, I haven't bought a Radiohead album since.

It's part of my emotional makeup to try to preserve what I hold most dear. To me, once something reaches that exalted level, there's no place left to go but down. For the same reason, I haven't seen a Wes Anderson movie since The Royal Tannenbaums. Or been to a strip club since a marathon lap dance from a Russian named Svetlana (though that was probably just her stripper name).

So, I'm a huge Radiohead fan that chooses to idolize them from a safe distance. And that's not to say that I avoid their post-OK Computer stuff. I just don't actively seek it out. They've created some really good music in the last ten years, with a few songs that rival some of their best. But that self-preservation mechanism inside me refused to let the music all the way through.

That was until I heard Reckoner.

From the crashing cymbals to the haunting bassline to the ethereal falsetto of Yorke's voice, Reckoner encapsulates what makes Radiohead great to me: a juxtaposition of joy and sadness, celebration and lament. You want to dance and hide beneath the covers at the same time. The lyrics, usually a key component to a great song, are inconsequential. It's more of a soundscape than a song. The sonic layers are transe-inducing, allowing it to seep in without your knowledge.

The best way to experience this song is at full blast through your headphones. And again to Radiohead's rare abilities, you can listen to it in any given setting and get your desired outcome. As a workout song, it kicks ass. As a wind down song, it soothes you. As a background song, it provokes thought. If songs were relationships, Reckoner could be like your best friend.

In actuality, Reckoner reunited me with a close friend that I lost touch with for ten years. It's nice to reconnect, even if only for a few minutes.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go out and rent The Life Aquatic on the way to the strip club.

The Hold Steady - Terminal 5 - New York City - 11/7/08

I know this is over a week old and The Hold Steady are probably in Boise, Idaho by now (that's exactly where they are...I looked it up.) but it's better late than never.

Terminal 5 twice in a three day span. After The Decemberists show I was really wishing The Hold Steady were playing in a different venue. I'm not going to try to compare The Decemberists to The Hold Steady. Two completely different kind of shows. People at Decemberists shows cry when Colin Meloy breaks into a soft Fleetwood Mac cover (I saw pictures). People at a Hold Steady show jump up and down for the entire show singing along with the band.

Troufazz was along for this one. Lucky for me I was at Terminal 5 two days earlier so at least we had an example of "where not to stand" for this one. We didn't get there in time for The Drive By Truckers opting to achieve the perfect concert buzz at a different drinking establishment. I didn't have much of an interest either.

When we got to the venue we went on the complete opposite side from where I was the last time and kind of snuck right in front of a guy who was easily 7 feet tall...easily. We got to press our way pretty close to the stage without blocking anyone's view which is nice considering they probably waited through the whole Drive By Trucker set to get a good spot for The Hold Steady.

As far as the show goes, The Hold Steady are one of the best live bands touring today. There is no dull moments in the set. Even when they do play one of their ballads, they are good, and the next song brings the level right back up. Out of all the people in the place having a good time, it was easy to see who was having the most fun...Craig Finn. There is absolutely nothing choreographed about his performance. What ever herky-jerky movements he's doing on stage is just exactly what he's feeling at that moment. It's awesome to watch.

If I had to pick some highlights they would be Arms and Hearts followed right after by Massive Nights. Your Little Hoodrat Friend is always fun and How A Resurrection Really Feels was a good closer.

The Decemberists - Terminal 5 - New York City - 11/5/08

I'm not a huge Decemberists fan. I only own two of their albums and still haven't decided where I land on them. I do know that the songs I like, I really like, but sometimes it's tough to get through a whole album without skipping a little.

It was my first time at Terminal 5 and off the bat it was not one of my favorite venues. It was pretty crowded by the time we got in. We settled in a little off to the side underneath a big overhang which is underneath the balcony. It was a decent enough vantage point to see the stage but the sound was terrible from there.

From what I've heard before going in was that The Decemberists are pretty chatty on stage. Especially when it comes to politics. Being that it was the day after the election, I was afraid they would be over chatty about it. My fears were confirmed as soon as the Barack Obama lifesize cardboard cutout was brought on stage. Now The Decemberists and I our on the same side when it comes to politics but that's not what I go to concerts for. I don't want to be chanting "Yes We Can" while helping a crowd surfing cardboard Obama around Terminal 5 between every song.

All that being said, a Decemberists concert for me is the same as an album. Valerie Plame, The Engine Driver, We Both Go Down Together, O Valencia, 16 Military Wives, The Mariner's Revenge Song and Sons and Daughters were all really good but there were obvious breaks in the set for me to go get a beer without missing anything...like The Perfect Crime #2. That song sucks.

River Runs Dry

As part of my twelve-step blog rehabilitation, I attended Tuesday night's Okerrvil River show at Webster Hall, thinking that a concert review is the blog version of a simple three-chord progression: it's comfortable to do and often leads to inspiration. Plus, the Slice had been somewhat prolific in his concert reviews over the last few months -- replete with personal photos taken alongside band members -- that I feel I had to show that I, too, can leave my home and attend a public gathering.

The fact that Slice was with me is of no relevance. He can pad his stats all he wants.

So, the last (and only) time I was at Webster Hall for a concert was to catch the New Pornographers during their Challengers tour, and the experience was a great one.

The fact that Slice was with me at NP is again neither here nor there (first time I ever used that phrase... did I use it correctly?).

The NP show was a great all-around experience. Perfect amount of 'train sodas' on the way in, perfect pre-game venue in Hi-Fi (home of the world's greatest juke box) and perfect buzz heading into Webster Hall. So, the stage was set for a very enjoyable concert experience. And NP delivered, playing a high-energy, kickass set list. The crowd was all-in, vibing off the connection between artists and their fans. You could sense a mutual appreciation between them and us.

Walking out of that show, I had nothing but praise for the show and the venue. Maybe my only knock was AC Newman's ill-advised shirt fabric that concealed no physical secrets in front of the harsh stage lights. He may want to do a few push-ups in between writing perfectly crafted pop songs is all I'm saying.

So, admittedly, the bar was set pretty high going into the OR show.

The night began much like the aforementioned... we had some premium brews on the ride in (Sam Adams Octoberfest) and made our way from Penn to HiFi. A slight miscalculation in subway usage set off a sries of unfortunate events, which entailed a good amount of aimless walking, a forced Burger King purchase in order to use the restroom and a cab-driver miscommunication that culminated in a tour of the island of Manhattan. When we arrived at the bar, the effects of some tasty train beers were all but negated.

But we were not defeated. If anything, our mishaps were looked at as a sign of divine intervention, in that both of us were trying to limit our evening's intake. A few pints and choice jukebox selections righted the ship. We headed to Webster Hall in full-concert mode.

When we got there, the second act, Crooked Fingers, was in the midst of their set. After ordering one of only two agreed upon beers, the Slice and I headed to a pocket on the floor, stage left. We settled just behind a blinding spotlight that may or may not have actually been a Lasik surgery laser. After my vision returned, I was instantly enamored by the band's female singer/bassist/rhythm guitarist/violinist. She was blond, talented, approachably hot and the owner of an adorable paunch that was beautifully accentuated by her choice of shirt (take note AC Newman). We dothed her 'Stevie Ray Paunch.' She was great. The band was good. All in all, a great way to get into concert mode.

After their set and and a 30 minute break, Okerrvil River took to the stage.

First off, I'll admit that I'm not a huge OR fan. I've been getting into their catalog over the last few weeks and I really liked what I heard. And many of those same songs that were played that night sounded just like what I heard. But, I just couldn't get into it. The band's stage presence didn't help.

There is no denying that lead singer Will Sheff is very talented. He writes and performs on a level that is enviable. However, he also seems like a bit of a douche. He may be the greatest guy ever, but the douche vibe was present on this night. Was it the hipster-esque, unkempt hair? Possibly. Was it the almost choreographed 'spontaneous' gyrations he went into when he was 'feeling it?' Maybe. But I think the biggest reason I didn't connect was that he conceded that he wasn't into banter and told us that he 'had nothing cool to say.'

I'm ok if a band doesn't want to directly address their audience, but I take issue with someone when they tell me that is what they're going to do.

It's douche-y.

Just play if you want to play. Don't reference anti-banter because doing so is, in fact, banter. Tortured, too-cool-to-be-bothered, banter. And I hate that.

I stayed to hear "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe," because it rocks, and then I walked out. Not as a protest. I was hot, a little tired and saw enough.

Still, I'm glad I went. I love concerts. I love the city. I love well stocked juke boxes.

And I love Stevie Ray Paunch.

Eavesdropping on an IM Chat

(My Morning Jacket is playing and can be heard through the wall)

Troufazz: I can hear it!

vanDERslice: Mine?

Troufazz: yeah. sounds sweet.

vanDERslice: It's awesome. If there was a MMJ concert every weekend, I would go.

Troufazz: You'd att an MMJ con ev week?

vanDERslice: If it was local? At least every other week. It affected me in a very bizarre way.
I'm still figuring out how to put it in words so I can blog about it

Troufazz: Is it like being converted to a religion.

Troufazz: A spiritual (re-)awakening?

vanDERslice: Actually knowing at that moment that you're probably seeing the best live band
you might ever see was weird. I always thought it would be something I would come to in retrospect.

Troufazz: Nice. If I were a blogger (which I was before my license was revoked), I would liken it to a rare experience when you can experience a shift in real time... like knowing the moment you fall in love during the actual moment it happens.

Troufazz: would that be epiphanous?

vanDERslice: Exactly.

My Morning Jacket - Festival Pier at Penn's Landing - Philadelphia, PA - 9/5/08

A lot of times I will ruin things for myself by going into them with extremely high expectations. From everything I've heard and read about My Morning Jacket's live shows, I was concerned with this also being the case for my first time seeing them live. It honestly took half of a song to understand that it was going to be, for a lack of a better word, special. I've been to my fair share of concerts and as great as most of them were, they all have had a logical place and time where they should end. With MMJ that was not the case. The whole show was on a straight trajectory upwards throughout. They could have played for two more hours and the energy level of the crowd wouldn't have dipped a bit. Jim James owned us.

During the encore while playing Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2 it started to drizzle a little bit and across the Ben Franklin Bridge there was an impromptu fireworks show. I'm assuming that it was not planned by the band since Jim James looked at his band mates with an expression that indicated he was as surprised as we were.

I could go on but I'm not a good enough writer to do the show justice. Here's the set list:

1. Anytime

2. Aluminum Park

3. Off The Record

4. Evil Urges

5. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.1

6. What A Wonderful Man

7. Two Halves

8. Golden

9. Thank You Too!

10. I'm Amazed

11. Evelyn Is Not Real

12. Sec Walkin'

13. War Begun

14. Phone Went West

15. Librarian

16. Dondante

17. Gideon

18. Lay Low

19. Mahgeetah

*****ENCORE*****

20. Wordless Chorus

21. Highly Suspicious

22. Cobra

23. Smokin From Shootin

24. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2

25. Run Thru

26. One Big Holiday

I'm 30 now and.....

I turned 30 a few weeks ago. I targeted my birthday as the day that I'll try to make some positive changes. Once again I would try to eat better and go to the gym, I would dedicate some time every day (even if it's only a half hour) to writing a few pages of a screenplay I've been trying to write and I would read more books.

At least New Years is only a few months away so I can try again.

Newport Folk Festival - Part 2

This weekend was the tale of two days. Saturday the weather was bad but the lineup was awesome. Sunday, the weather was great but the lineup wasn't as good. Unlike the day before, we brought a cooler with pre-made mixed drinks in soda bottles (since you weren't allowed to bring in alcohol).

Since the music wasn't as important today, just a brief recap:

Brandi Carlisle - I really like her 1st CD, was off put by them using a song off her second album to promote a new season of Grey's Anatomy so I never got it. She sounded great and did the only encore I've seen at the festival so far doing Hallelujah.

Calexico - I only have one Calexico CD which I like a lot. Unfortunately they didn't play anything off of it. Other than JIM JAMES coming out for a song with them, the highlight was a good cover of Alone Again Or. I like Calexico's sound with the brass section and everything. I'm going to pick up some more of their stuff.

Son Volt - I was really big into Alt-Country a few years ago and Son Volt's Trace was a big album for me so it was cool to get to see them. We walked over to the Harbor Stage to see them. Hanging out behind the stage watching and eating some food was none other than JIM JAMES again. Between coming out with these other acts and just seeing him just taking in the whole festival raised my man-crush level to orange.

That pretty much wrapped up the festival for me. Jimmy Buffett was coming up next and the place was filled with Parrotheads. We hung out back at our blanket for a little bit. As soon as the applaud came for Jimmy Buffett we started packing up our blanket to the stunned amazement of some fans.

Fort Adams was a great venue for a festival. It was very spacious and the sound carried far. The atmosphere was great with boats crowded as close to shore as they could. It looked like a great party out there. I need a sailboat.

Back at the hotel, me and my friend were on the elevator back from the hotel rooftop bar. When the doors opened JIM JAMES was waiting to get on. We shook his hand and told him that we were fans and all that other stuff. He was really cool and genuinely seemed to appreciate it. Later on when we went back to the rooftop bar, he was still there. We had one more brief interaction and quietly shared a Newport sunset. Man-crush level...red.

Newport Folk Festival - Part 1

I've wanted to check out Newport for a few years now. Unbeknownst to me, it was my friend's favorite town in the world. So when I sent him a link (half jokingly) saying we should check out the festival he got really excited and it was booked two days later.

We got up there Friday night with our lady friends and went out for dinner and drinks. After dinner we went to a bar called The Red Parrot. At the back end of the bar we saw Jakob Dylan. In short, we met him, he seemed like a nice guy and he was very nice about taking a nice group photo with us. But he wasn't even the coolest musician I would meet that weekend.

Saturday:
Young at Heart Chorus - They were a novelty act but very entertaining. These guys were 75 to 85 years old singing Hendrix, Coldplay and Bruce Springsteen songs. Seeing people move around singing, dancing and having a good time at their age was actually pretty moving. I'm actually glad I left before they were done so I didn't have to stay around for their inevitable standing ovation. If I had stayed I might have started welling up in front of people and I wasn't ready for that at noon.

Cowboy Junkies - Only went over for the last four songs. I'm only really familiar with their radio stuff which I didn't get to hear any. Pretty decent though.

Jakob Dylan - I was in to the Wallflowers first CD, but since then it seems like if you've heard one Jakob Dylan song, you've heard them all. I should have left this set a little earlier to go back to the main stage, but at the time, I thought meeting him the night before obligated me to stay for most of it.

Richie Havens - The reason I wish I left Jakob Dylan's set earlier. I only got there to see him close with a kick ass rendition of Won't Be Fooled Again.

When we first got to the festival, we were fortunate enough to lock down seats under the tent of the Harbor Stage which was where most of the good acts were playing that day. Between the threat of thunderstorms and the fact that the Harbor Stage had the better acts, it got more crowded at the tent as the day went on. As a group, there were acts that some of us wanted to see that others didn't which made saving seats alot easier.

Steve Earle and Alison Moorer - I enjoyed the 2nd half of his set more than the first. He brought out a DJ and played 'Satelite Radio' which I've heard before somewhere. As a fan of The Wire, the highlight was him closing with Down in The Hole.

She & Him - Probably my favorite performance of the festival (I may have retroactively changed my mind on that though which I'll explain later.) I've been getting into Zooey Deschanel lately as a singer and as a piece of ass. I love her voice on the album and it really holds up live too. She doesn't always look comfortable on stage but that is expected from someone who only recently started performing her own music. It started to downpour during this set which for some reason makes it seem alot more epic. I'm glad we had our seats since there was about a thousand person overflow coming out of the tent with only 500 seats tops under the tent. Jim James came out for an M. Ward cover which really electified the crowd since I would imagine half of them were there at the She & Him set to jockey for position for his set coming up next.

Jim James - Going in to the festival this was the performance I was looking forward to the most. After watching his set there were two things that were abundantly clear to me. First, the guy's voice is sick. Second, I need to see My Morning Jacket live. Since being back from Newport and relistening to the broadcast of it online, it might be my favorite of the festival and I think I'm developing a man-crush.

Black Crowes - I wasn't excited about seeing them. I just don't get the appeal. I guess my biggest problem was with their set list. If you're familiar with their whole catalog then it was probably amazing for you. Being at a festival where everyone is there for many different bands, I think a greatest hits kind of set would have been more appropriate. The highlight of the performance was looking up at the top of the fort and seeing Jim James. We actually waved at him and got one back. My man-crush level is raised to yellow.

Coming up...Day 2

Newport Folk Festival Teaser

I got back from the Newport Folk Festival and I'll probably blog it out in a few installments but I'll show you the highlight of the trip.

That's me sharing a Newport sunset with Jim James

MGMT - McCarren Park Pool - July 27th - Pt.2

I was probably only in McCarren Park Pool for about an hour and a half total and we missed the Ting Tings and Black Moth Super Rainbow. They were setting up for MGMT's set which gave me the opportunity to get in to two games of dodgeball. I'm hoping that I drank a little too much and that was why I was so terrible at a game I used to be classified as a wizard at (I'm afraid that it's not though). Either way, it was fun to play dodgeball again. I don't think I've played "real" dodgeball in like 20 years. By "real," I mean with the rubber kickballs not Nerf or anything like we were forced to play with before I even graduated from Elementary School.

For MGMT the place was packed and it seemed like most of the crowd was really into it. I'm not super familiar with the album but I recognized enough to enjoy the show. One one complaint was that for the encore they played what felt like was a 10 minute song I didn't recognize which seemed to bring the crowd down a little. On the flip side, it was followed up by the high point of the show which they closed with Kids which I thought sounded great and the crowd was really into it which always helps.

MGMT - McCarren Park Pool - July 27th - Pt.1

A few weeks ago I went to McCarren Park Pool for the first time. I showed up at 1:30 and my line wasn't too bad (as shown by the black line on the picture to the right). The doors opened at 2:00pm, and I was probably in there by 2:30pm.

This past Sunday, I showed up at roughly the same time with roughly the same rainy weather conditions. But this time the line was this long (on left). Luckily this time I did have someone with me and there was a deli a half a block away which came up huge with the Coors Light tall boys and paper bags. I can't tell if the doors opened at 2:00 since I was a mile away but I'd say by 3:45 I was approaching the area where I was on the Hold Steady line a few weeks earlier. Until...

We learned that we weren't making such great progress and the line was just re-routed so we were lined up around the pool and not around people's homes. We had only made slight progress (picture on right). After about another hour I walked to get us another six pack. By now the Ting Tings are on. I took an hours worth of public transportation to get there and I'm questioning whether or not we're even going to get in. I tell my friend to wait in line and I'm going to go to the front and ask the security guys if they are almost at capacity and if it's worth waiting. As I'm walking up to the front I see a group of people cut the line. It totally made sense as to why this line wasn't moving, it was happening all over the place. The line wasn't being policed at all. I get a hold of my friend and tell him to just walk towards the front of the line and find me. I engaged these two guys and started talking about the venue and the band. My friend came over with the beers, we gave them one and we had our new place in line. Not long after we cut the line, security came with a pitch counter and started counting off people and figuring out where they would be at capacity. He didn't get that far passed us before he determined who the last group getting in would be. We missed the first two acts but we did get in before MGMT came on.

Hold Steady - McCarren Pool - June 29th

Last Sunday I went to McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn for the first "Pool Party" of the summer. While most people show up every Sunday for the dodge ball and slip and slides, I was lucky enough to get to see one of my current favorite bands.

This was actually my first McCarren Park Pool experience. I imagine that it is usually a lot more crowded on a weekly basis than it was that day because of the weather. From the moment I stepped on line I was treated to sporadic torrential rainfalls. There were a few time where I really thought it couldn't rain any harder...then it did. I didn't mind it though. Once you're wet you just need to embrace it. If anything else, it weeded people out and kept the actual Hold Steady fans in the building. And I'll also mention that, from a spectator's point of view, a dodge ball game can actually seem epic when being played a teeming rainstorm.

As far as the show goes, I don't think it's possible for The Hold Steady to play a bad show. Even if their songs weren't any good, they really seem like they enjoy what there doing and it really brings the show up a notch. They played pretty much the whole new album which is very good. I'll give the fans there alot of credit. Not only did they sit through the rain, most of the fans were singing along with the new songs despite the new album not being physically released at the time (iTunes only).

I debated whether or not to go to this concert since I would be going myself but between The Hold Steady and the concert venue, I definately made the right call.