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/JokersGirl/journal The Last.fm journal for JokersGirl. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/12/05/2bg4k0_just_returned_home_from_a_phenomenal_show%21 Fri, 5 Dec 2008 06:41:44 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/12/05/2bg4k0_just_returned_home_from_a_phenomenal_show%21 Thu 4 Dec – Hamell on Trial

I've been listening to Hamell on Trial for a year or so now. I know, I know - late in the game. Whatever; it seems like most of the world is even later than me... or at least, most of the Midwest. There were only a handful of people at the Mill tonight for this show - a dozen, 20 tops. It was a travesty in my mind... but Ed Hamell tore up the stage, and held the meager audience in his thrall.

His mix of spontaneous banter and cleverly planned rants is something that his recordings can't even compare to. I adore everything I've ever heard from the man (which admittedly isn't much,) but this show was better than I'd dreamed. He is a brilliant wordsmith, mixing humor and poignancy with a healthy helping of wisdom.

He is truly reverent in his irreverence, albeit to a different - perhaps higher - ideal than the philosophies he lampoons. My favorite moment was his story of when his son came home from school one day able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and his mixed feelings in reaction. I lived that story not so long ago myself, and felt the same responses rise in me... but his solution was quintessentially Hamell on Trial. He wrote a *new* pledge to teach his son, one that I would be proud to recite myself, and one which I need to find so that I can teach it to my own children.

I am truly glad that I drove down to Iowa City to see this show. The lack of people was disturbing, and that says more about Iowa than about Hamell on Trial. He was a kind and generous performer, and intensely inspiring. I'll be feeling this late hour at work tomorrow, but it was more than worth it.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/05/22/1znvov_rush_show_in_moline%2C_il_5.20.08 Thu, 22 May 2008 16:47:45 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/05/22/1znvov_rush_show_in_moline%2C_il_5.20.08 Some thoughts, in the wake of a reeling evening:

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Ok, now that that's out of the way...


*If you'd asked me during the first set what I'd thought of Geddy's performance, I would have sadly shook my head and made a nasty comment that, although Neil and Alex seem to be getting better and better with age, Ged's just aging. The second set disabused me of all such blasphemy. I don't know if he went and dosed up on honey lemon tea or what, but it was like a new voice coming out of the man. He simply and utterly TORE UP the stage second set, and I felt deeply ashamed for having thought ill of him earlier. His "crowd banter" left something to be desired, though...

*I don't think I've ever seen Neil NOT on top of his game, but last night broke all boundaries. Holy hell, people - my husband (who is not even a fan) couldn't keep his eyes off the man most of the night, and was on his feet at the end of his customary mega-solo. My husband!! It near brought tears to my eyes, I tell you.

*It struck me, when they played "The Main Monkey Business," that if you were to play that song for any fan of mathcore, they'd be hard pressed not to fall in love. I mean, I've always known that converting new Rushians is just a matter of finding the right song, but this tune (which I previously hadn't listened to much) really jumped out at me. Probably because I was listening to fall of troy on my way to the venue, heh.

*Two interconnected issues wound their way through my mind around "Dreamline" at the end of the first set. The first was how incredible it is how the boys manage to inject a sense of their current "sound" into even the oldest tunes - it's not even a matter of updating the songs at all (which would be silly) but just the way that you can tell definitively that it is Rush circa 2008 that's playing. The second, related thought was how era-specific almost all of their songs are. Generally, with any other band, I'd consider this a bad thing (music is supposed to be timeless, right?) but in this case, I find it compelling somehow. A hundred years from now, any music historian worth their salt will be able to listen to a Rush album, studio or live, and tell you just when it's from. They have "periods" like Picasso, heh.

*The past two times I saw them, I didn't notice this, but maybe that's because I never used to care much for Alex. Last night, it was *so cute* - you could see him singing along! Not the songs he sings back-up on, obviously (he has the mic for that,) but just random songs; not every song, either - it was like he was just into it, like the crowd, and singing along to his favorites. So farking cool. He was also in rare form musically. Like I said, I've never been a particular fan of his, but he was really, truly amazing to watch.

*I found sitting in the nosebleed section rather depressing. Maybe it's the fact that you don't *need* to stand to see (like the floor folks do) but everyone in my section except me and one other dude were sitting by 3 songs in. I gave up around the 5th or 6th tune, because I felt like a douche. What's up with that? What happened to rockin' out on your feet for a full 3hrs. The damn band is doing it, why should the fans do any less?! I did dig the copious air bands being struck up all around me, though. There was one fella a few sections away who kept switching back & forth between air drums and air guitar. Loved it :)

*Highlights for me: "Red Barchetta," "The Way The Wind Blows," "2112 Overture/Temples of Syrinx," and "A Passage To Bangkok." It was funny - all night long, there were some fragrant aromas wafting from various parts of the area I was in... but by the time "A Passage to Bangkok" was played (encore) I guess everyone was all out! I was thinking, "What's wrong w/ you people - finally, an appropriate song for it, and you've got nothin'?!" Heh. I had nothing, either, so I shouldn't talk.

*There was one thing that really stood out to me. I don't know why it didn't strike me before now - perhaps it did, and it was just brought home to me, so to speak, last night. Rush is the only hard rock band I can think of with extremely and pervasively socially-conscious lyrics. It was like going to a concert of '60s folk music, only rockin'! Neil's lyrics are perhaps the preachiest being performed today (well, unless Neil Young is on tour somewhere... and I guess there's always Bruce Springsteen...) but they reach an audience that I don't think is really used to that sort of thing from their music. Maybe I'm just ignorant about what else is out there... but to me it's sort of like realizing what a cheesy love song Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" is - somehow the rock is just so hard that the content takes you unawares. Awesome.




Alright, I'll shut up now. Bottom line: FUKKIN' AWESOME SHOW!!!!!!!! If I had an extra $150 lying around ($50 for the ticket, $100 for the gas!,) I'd probably try to make it out to Chicago for the show there, too (even though it's about 3x as far from me as Moline, heh.)


Rush]]> http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/03/09/fkzmr_the_%22factor%22_factor... Sun, 9 Mar 2008 14:53:12 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/03/09/fkzmr_the_%22factor%22_factor... So, how often to you find that a single negative factor about a band turns you off of them? That is, are there any characteristics that are "deal-breakers" so-to-speak, such as lame lyrics, the singer's voice or a weak drum line? Which element is the most common turn-off for you?

Conversely, are there any factors that are auto-winners? Something that you're able to forgive any manner of ills for? Can a single shredding guitar solo save an otherwise mediocre song/band?

Some friends and I were talking last night about lyrics, particularly. There are probably infinite examples out there of bands that are fantastic musically but that all too often fall short in the lyrics department. The two that came up in our conversation were R.E.M. and System of a Down. My boyfriend, for example, was for the longest time utterly turned off of SOAD solely because of Chop Suey. The most obvious example of my point, though, is of course R.E.M.'s The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite:

"Baby, instant soup doesnt really grab me/
Today I need something more sub-sub-sub-substantial/
A can of beans or blackeyed peas, some nescafe and ice,/
A candy bar, a falling star, or a reading from Doctor Seuss"

Seriously. I adore that song so much, but I can see how the type of person who's invested in finding meaning in lyrics would... have a problem with it, heh.

Other examples of the "factor" factor include: everyone who bitches about Rush solely because of Geddy Lee's voice. Now, this, I understand, even though I don't agree with it in the case of Lee. I find myself turned off of bands by vocal styles all the time. Take The Dave Matthews Band for example. When I listen to their instrumental tracks, I come really close to liking them... but whenever the vocals start, I run for cover. I don't know why, but I REALLY hate Dave Matthews' voice.

On the flip side, I could probably listen to Stephin Merritt sing over a background of cats screeching and fingernails on chalkboards. (luckily I don't have to, since he always tends to work with brilliant musicians, heh)

In general, vocals are typically the main deal-breaker for me. I suppose it's because I'm a vocalist. I'll pay close attention to other aspects of a band or song (particularly the drums) but I can't think of any instances where a single factor besides voice turned me off of a band completely.

What are your best examples of this phenomenon??]]> http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/02/22/fkzi2_blah-bitty-blah%253B_or%252C_another_meme_bites_the_dust Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:46:50 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/02/22/fkzi2_blah-bitty-blah%253B_or%252C_another_meme_bites_the_dust I really need to buy some new cds so this blog can be something more than an enabler for my meme addiction...

Some Craps about my Top 30

1. How did you get into 29?
Sunset Rubdown: When my boyfriend moved in, he listened to Shut Up I am Dreaming... a lot. He made me a copy of it to take along when I went to visit my husband at school, and I must've played it every freakin' day. I fell hard!

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22?
Meat Puppets: Hah, that's easy (but embarrassing) - wasn't it Plateau that they played w/ Nirvana on MTv Unplugged? Or did Lake Of Fire come first in the set? I hate admitting that now, since Meat Puppets are SO DAMN MUCH BETTER than Nirvana ever was (most recent album excluded.)

3. How many albums by 13 do you own?
Anuna: Sadly, only 1 (Anuna.) I need to rectify that situation...

4. What is your favorite song by 15?
KMFDM: Hrm, I usually listen to them when I'm either cleaning or pissed off haha... maybe Bullets, Bombs and Bigotry off of WWIII?

5. What is your favorite song by 5?
Donovan: Ooooh, tough one! I've always said that if I'm ever lame enough to kill myself, it'll be to Writer In The Sun (off MELLOW YELLOW)... and that is a brilliant track... but Jennifer Juniper ALWAYS makes me smile... of course, when I was a kid, my favorite was always the Intergalactic Laxative from Cosmic Wheels :D

6. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy?
Grateful Dead: Ok, again, as a fan this is very embarrassing, but I've got to go with Touch of Grey. (**hides head in mainstream hippie shame**)

7. What is your favorite song by 10?
New York Dolls: Damn near impossible... but as a good little poly girl, I'll have to lay claim to We're All in Love off the newest.

8. What is a good memory you have involving 30?
Ooops, I'm doubled up on 29! I don't particularly have any "good memories" of Black Sabbath so I'll use Sunset Rubdown again: I have a wonderful memory of listening to Random Spirit Lover repeatedly on a looong-ass walk from my home to my church in the wee hours of a very cold Saturday morning. It's about a 2hr walk, and I just kept loving that album more and more with each step!

9. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy?
Soft Cell: Haha, Soft Cell doesn't really make people HAPPY haha! I'd say they're about as dark as New Wave gets... maybe they're secretly proto-emo? Heh. I really love Together Alone though.

10. How many times have you seen 25 live?
The Flaming Lips: NEVER! **pout**

11. What is the first song you ever heard by 23?
Cherish the Ladies: I really have no idea. Sorry.

12. What is your favorite album by 11?
R.E.M.: Ooh, it's gotta be Life's Rich Pageant... although New Adventures In Hifi is so Prog it makes me tingle.

13. Who is a favorite member of 1?
Rush: Duh. Neil Peart. Duh.

14. Have you ever seen 14 live?
The Ramones: Dude, I am SO BITTER about this. I never got to see them!! A bunch of my friends went in high school, and didn't invite me because they "didn't think I liked them." Bastards. I've never quite forgiven them.

15. What is a good memory involving 27?
Echo & The Bunnymen: I got nothin', sorry.

16. What is your favorite song by 16?
Pet Shop Boys: Tough. I'll go with Was That What It Was?.

17. What is your favorite album by 18?
Radiohead: Stupid Radiohead. They have magic powers for infiltrating people's top 20. I guess I'll be obvious & go with OK Computer.

18. What is your favorite song by 21?
Arlo Guthrie: Easy. Highway in the Wind. It's one of my top 3 favorite songs EVER.

19. What is the first song you ever heard by 26?
Pulp: Probably Weeds.

20. What is your favorite album by 2?
Magnetic Fields: I guess I have to go with i. It's brilliant.

21. What is you favorite song by 3?
Dinosaur Jr: I'll say Mind Glow from Without a Sound.

22. What is your favorite song by 8?
The Zombies: Their version of Summertime.

23. How many times have you seen 17 live?
Beck: I really HAVE been to concerts, people! Just... not any of the artists this dumbass meme asks me about!! Damn, I'd love to see Beck.

24. What is the worst song by 12?
Ladytron: Oh, come on. If they have a "worst song" I sure haven't heard it!

25. What was the first song you ever heard by 28?
Lamb of God: Probably Laid To Rest.

26. What is your favorite album by 7?
Fu Manchu: I guess King Of The Road. After all, it's got Weird Beard!

27. What is your favorite song by 24?
Drowning Pool: Hrm, maybe Tear Away?

28. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy?
They Might Be Giants: Crap, so many! I'll choose Rhythm Section Want Ad.

29. What is your favorite album by 4?
Ani Difranco: I'll go with Imperfectly.

30. How many albums do you own by 20?
The Psychedelic Furs: Actually, they're all my boyfriend's... but 3.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/02/20/fkz90_why_the_fuck_not%3F__a-z_fun... Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:37:18 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/JokersGirl/journal/2008/02/20/fkz90_why_the_fuck_not%3F__a-z_fun... I haven't journaled here yet, so I figured I'd start off easy, with one of those lame memes that goes around. So, if seeing my freaking charts weren't enough of a clue as to what artists I like, here's my...

A-Z Favorites
Anuna
Beck
Chad & Jeremy
Dinosaur Jr
Echo & The Bunnymen
The Flaming Lips
G. Love & Special Sauce
Hot Tuna
Indigo Girls
Joni Mitchell
King Crimson
Ladytron
Magnetic Fields
New York Dolls

Pink Floyd
Quiet Riot
Rush
Sunset Rubdown
Tenacious D

Vashti Bunyan
White Zombie
X
Yes
The Zombies

(damn those choices were harder than I thought!! why are there so many good "M"s??)

Your mission, should you choose to accept it (should "you" as in my mystery readership even exist) is to suggest to me some bands that don't suck beginning with the letters "O" and "U."]]>