en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/JakevsRunnyNose/journal The Last.fm journal for JakevsRunnyNose. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/JakevsRunnyNose/journal/2008/11/14/29zogl_of_montreal%3A_houston_-_111208 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:08:43 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JakevsRunnyNose/journal/2008/11/14/29zogl_of_montreal%3A_houston_-_111208 Wed 12 Nov – of Montreal

That was pretty surreal. From standing outside nearly 3 hours before start time and seeing 5 out of the 6 members of 'of Montreal walk by and then a few minutes later seeing one of my favorite all time musicians (Kevin Barnes) walk by. If you're asking, why didn't you go up to him? First I was in shock and second a group of security were right there. No fans were able to go up to them. But still..Kevin Barnes feet away from me. That was quite amazing. Stephanie made fun of me for having a man crush on Kevin, but I just can't help it.

Icy Demons

This Chicago based band opened the show. They started out by playing a lengthy instrumental song into some lyrics that I couldn't make out. Actually I couldn't make out anything the singer was saying for the majority of the set, but it was still a decent performance. A few songs I really digged, but a few were also ones I didn't care for. Some of their songs started off really nicely, but I thought they dragged them out a little too long and it got a little too boring for my liking. All in all, a decent opener, but not a great one. The band itself seemed really nice though. They were selling their own merchandise after the show or at least the lady in the band was. She seemed nice and cute.

of Montreal

of Montreal started about 25 minutes later with an intro not heard on any of their albums (don't mark me on that though) as a few people in costumes brought out a wooden crate box with a glittery curtain over it to the middle of the stage. We all knew the almighty Kevin Barnes was crouched in that box and I for one was about to cry in happines when he came out. The intro ended and here came Kevin quickly getting out of the box and strutting a little as "Id Engager" off their new album Skeletal Lamping was played.

The band moved into each song with little hesitation. Kevin and the gang went from singing one song to singing "For Our Elegant Castle" in a blink of an eye. I liked the slow piano bit of 'Touched Something Hollow' directly into the fun-active 'An Eluardian Instance'. Back-to-back songs also off Skeletal Lamping.

Much like the Nine Inch Nail concert I went to earlier this year. Everything was well coordinated. The Nails' show was well coordinated with the lights, screens, projectors and this of Montreal show was well coordinated with the skits, the costumes, just everything seemed to click and it felt like everything was running smoothly. This is definitely a band you have to see live to truly appreciate. of Montreal puts on more than your typical show/concert. They put on a 'indie-rock broadway show' type performance. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully they'll come back to Houston. I know I'll be in the front again acting like a giddy school-girl.

Hopefully when they do come back to the town, they'll pick a different venue besides Warehouse Live. I thought the sound was pretty crappy for both bands. Lyrics were hard to make out, etc..There was one point during the of Montreal set (during 'Nonpareil of Favor' I believe it was) that a piercing-screeching sound literally made me cringe during the middle of the song. It was like someone slowly drew a long line on a chalkboard for a few seconds.

Here is the set-list (in no particular order and not guaranteed to be complete. It was hard to keep up with every song with all the on-stage antics and skits going on at the same time).

Intro
Id Engager
Nonpareil of Favor
Wicked Wisdom
For Our Elegant Caste
Touched Something's Hollow
An Eluadarian Instance
Gallery Piece
Women's Studies Victims
St. Exquisite's Confessions
Triphallus, To Punctuate!
And I've Seen A Bloody Shadow
Plastis Wafers
Beware Our Nubile Miscreants
Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse
A Sentence Of Sorts In Kongsvinger
She's A Rejecter
Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games
So Begins Our Alabee
—
Gronlandic Edit]]> http://www.last.fm/user/JakevsRunnyNose/journal/2008/09/12/25t2yl_skeletal_lamping_-_thoughtsreviews Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:21:15 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JakevsRunnyNose/journal/2008/09/12/25t2yl_skeletal_lamping_-_thoughtsreviews Before I get to my mini review;

of Montreal will release their 9th studio album Skeletal Lamping officially on October 7th in not one, but seven different forms. Below is a picture of all the forms, to fulfill all your Skeletal Lamping and of Montreal spirits:



Two will be a traditional CD format and a vinyl, but Kevin and company decided to go beyond that this time. You can also get the CD in digital format in 5 other different packagings: a 'Gemini Tactics Lantern', 'David Barnes T-Shirt/Gemini Tactics T-Shirt', 'David Barnes Tote Bag/Gemini Tactics Tote Bag', 'David Barnes Wall Decals/Gemini Tactics Wall Decals', buttons or a Skeletal Lamping 'Gemini Barnes Horse' Poster.

*catches breath*

I'm going to buy the plain old CD format when its released, but I'm liking the Horse poster and the lantern. We'll see. Anyways, with that said...on to my thoughts and my review about the album.

Skeletal Lamping Review

Overall, it took me awhile to get 'adjusted' to the album. I had a bland taste in my mouth after the first listen. I thought 'Hissing Fauna' was a great record and after listening to Skeletal Lamping for the first time, I didn't know what to think. It was a very different sound then what I imagined it to be. So I gave the record another, two, three, four, five, six listens...and after that the album clicked with me. I 'felt' it. There's a lot to digest on this album, which is why it took awhile for me to fully appreciate. I know 6 months down the road from here, I'll listen to it again and hear something on it I didn't notice before. Very detailed album with many layers you have to listen to multiple times to fully enjoy.

My favorite tracks so far would have to be: Women's Studies Victims, Wicked Wisdom, Gallery Piece and Mingusings.

The whole album is enjoyable though. There's not a skipper. Kevin goes from a 'black she-male' on 'Wicked Wisdom' to 'taking it both ways' on 'For Our Elegant Castle' to wanting to 'scratch your cheeks and write you books' in 'Gallery Piece'. They even went a little Animal Collective in opener 'Nonpareil of Favor'. That's what I thought of when I first heard it toward the middle. I like it though. I didn't expect it.

As it stands right now, I don't know if I would put Skeletal Lamping ahead of a couple of their albums, but it's a good record. I felt a little dirty downloading the leak, but I'll make it up by buying the CD format and either the lantern or horse poster. Also bought tickets to the 11/12 Houston show. So I feel a little better for d/l the leak, still not 100 percent though. =l I apologize Kevin and company.

Anyways, for those who have listened to Skeletal Lamping, what are your thoughts? Is it what you expected? How would you rank the album with their other 8 albums or Hissing Fauna? I'm curious for your reaction.



You can catch of Montreal starting October 7th on the "Skeletal Lamping tour" with special guests Love Is All, Sinkane, HEALTH, Gang Gang Gang, Icy Demons and Fiery Furnaces. Check your local venue to see which one of those bands will open your of Montreal show.

Thanks for reading, I was quite bored.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/JakevsRunnyNose/journal/2008/08/17/24bo97_lights_in_the_sky_over%3A_houston_-_81608 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:58:21 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JakevsRunnyNose/journal/2008/08/17/24bo97_lights_in_the_sky_over%3A_houston_-_81608 Sat 16 Aug – Nine Inch Nails, A Place to Bury Strangers

Nine Inch Nails in Houston - 8/16/08

I've been to dozens of concerts in my life, but after missing Nine Inch Nails in Houston a few times, I HAD to attend this one. I mean I was more of a "casual" fan when they stopped by in 05, and looking back then, I regret it dearly not going. I became more "obsessed" in mid-05 with the Nails, listening to their discography from past to present. From Pretty Hate Machine to With Teeth (at the time in 05). Then came along Year Zero in 07, and I literally played the crap out of that on my itunes when it leaked, and then bought it when it came out. And then everyone knows Ghosts and The Slip followed shortly after that. I might not be considered a "long time NIN fan" but I know for the past 3+ years, I have followed them and listened to them pretty obsessively. When I saw they were playing Houston on the 16th of August a few months ago, I literally had tears of happiness. A day before my birthday they would play Houston, and that is where I begin with this review.

A Place To Bury Strangers

A Place to Bury Strangers opened it for NIN. I got their self titled album a couple months ago knowing they would be opening for Trent and company. I can't stand not knowing what song a band is playing. So I knew pretty much every song APTBS played which was a plus. I thought they would be a tad bit louder, since they are tagged being really "loud". I honestly didn't know what to expect with this band live, even after listening to their album several times. They impressed me slightly. I really digged the whole flashing strobe lights toward the end of the set and Oliver taking the strings out of his guitar (It looked like was what he was doing. I may be wrong.) All in all, I enjoyed their set. They brought an extra "sound" not heard on the album. Bands able to mix it up a little live, really get bonus points from me. They have gotten some HORRIBLE reviews from other people opening for the Nails on the web. People need to listen to their self titled album a few times before "hating" them. Oliver is a beast with pulling cords out of a guitar btw ha. The constant strobe light made it look more impressive.

Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails followed around 25 minutes later with opener 999,999 into 1,000,000 as exactly on the first two songs of The Slip album. I had to re-focus my eyes to see I was actually at a Nine Inch Nail concert, or I was just dreaming because I was so fucking happy lol. They followed that up with "Letting You", a song I would probably classify as one of the weaker songs off The Slip, but it was decent live. Trent's voice made the song fun live. March of the Pigs was shortly after (I don't remember if it was 4th or 5th, I can't find an official Set List yet for the show) which made me jump with glee xD. Not as much fire as previous years performances I've seen the band have with MOTP, but still fun.

Discipline was also played around here. Head Down as well which I loved. Probably my favorite song off The Slip. Trent playing the piano at the end was classic with the tilting and then throwing it after the song finished. Loved it. And then the Year Zero songs played were incredible with the visuals. "Vessel" was great with the orange behind Robin, Trent and Justin. and my HIGHLIGHT of the NIGHT was "The Greater Good". I smiled and thought to myself..."Trent Reznor is the best fucking thing to ever happen to the innovation of music/technology". Just insane. I did not expect this song to be the highlight but wow.

The Ghost bit was also great with the visuals. It's head scratching to wonder how they put all of it together with the layers and the lights. I did recognize "6 Ghosts I" and "31 Ghosts IV" played in the set list. I've heard the album in full several times, but the other ones have eluded me as I type this. I really like the Ghost album even more now, seeing how it turned out live. The band did a tremendous job setting the set up for the Ghost bit. They did a great job with the whole setlist, but Ghosts really came out perfect in my opinion.

Moving on to the latter part before the encores..."Survivalism" was fun. They had six "live" screens in the background. I really liked Survivalism live way better then on the Year Zero record. I felt like the band could of use a few different songs as singles off that album then Survivalism, but still a decent song.

Head Like a Hole wrapped up the show before the encores. The atmosphere was GREAT for this song. Nine Inch Nails played a few songs off "Pretty Hate Machine" which was great. Trent has not lost his step after all these years. After the song, one of the screens came out and a big red NIN logo flashed on it for almost a few minutes. I knew their be an encore, but I did not expect a long one.

Encore

Encore time! And boy were there several encores heh. Took me by a little surprised. This was the longest encore I've seen at a concert personally. Which just adds to how stellar this concert was. Echoplex was first. The on screen Echoplex tuner was great. Totally did not expect that one. That made me chuckle a bit in a good-surprised way =D. "Reptile" was next if I recall right. Sounded great live. The crowd was into it especially. "Hurt" was also an encore. Great atmosphere. I thought it might have been the last song, but thus then came "In This Twilight" to wrap up the night. Great show. Nails played for almost 2 and a half hours.

Wish, Only, Terrible Lie, Down In It, Gave Up, The Big Come Down and Piggy were also played. I know I'm probably missing a few, but I gave the gist. This was probably the first concert I've been to where the opening band or the headliner basically said NOTHING between songs. Trent said "Thank you" a few times and "you've been a good crowd" once, but that's about it. Not complaing though, I love Trent more then a average person should. Anyways the concert definitely left me wanting to see NIN again. I would travel to another city in a heartbeat to see a performance like tonights.

Edit-- I found the setlist:


1. 999,999

2. 1,000,000
3. Letting You
4. Discipline
5. March of the Pigs
6. Head Down
7. The Frail
8. The Wretched
9. Closer
10. Gave Up
11. The Warning
12. Vessel

13. Ghosts 5
14. Ghosts 21
15. Ghosts 19
16. Ghosts Piggy

17. The Greater Good

18. Pinion
19. Wish
20. Terrible Lie
21. Survivalism
22. The Big Come Down
23. Only
24 Head Like a Hole

Encore:

25. Echoplex
26. Reptile
27. God Given
28. Hurt
29. In This Twilight]]>