Saturday, June 27, 2009

Don't Stop ('til You Get Enough)


Wednesday night, we had our department graduation dinner. The DJ only played 2 songs after dinner before we were turned loose into the night - "Bille Jean" and "Thriller". We danced about like the undead of Thriller. The next day, he died. I couldn't even write about this until now. I still can't grasp that Michael Jackson is gone. I guess he's been gone since 1992 in actuality. All of Wacko's lifestyle aside, he made some of my favorite music and was the artist of most of our childhoods. "Oh, what a cliche' post", a "Michael Jackson" trib. Who cares. He's gone like Presley and Lennon. Sadly, MJ didn't burn out. He had long faded away. I'm going to go put on the Off the Wall vinyl (that now, I wouldn't be able to afford off Ebay...). MJ, we're gonna rock with you (aaaaaall night) this weekend and on and on....


Goodnight sweet Prince...


Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Official Music Video)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

You, Me and the 'Dise Makes 3

I've only been to 2 concerts in 2009. What a shame. At least both shows were worth the trip. One was back in March (NME) and the other was this past Wednesday (Phoenix). Thought I'd share some thoughts, stories, and horrible cellphone pictures....

This past Wednesday, I had a wonderful time at the (locally) infamous Paradise Lounge with the wife in tow. She goes to shows with me against her will sometimes. I hope she enjoyed this one (thank you, Whit for coming with me!). The French band, Phoenix, had a sold out gig just a mile from our house. I have long loved Phoenix's Hall & Oates meets the Strokes flavor ("Strokes & Oates" is patented to Ryan Doyle). They found their way onto a mixtape of mine in the fall of 2004 with "Run Run Run", but they stole my heart in 2006 with their album, It's Never Been Like That. After the Strokes' album had fallen flat months before, Phoenix filled the gap in my musical soul as they had gone less synth and more stroke. Earlier this year, Phoenix made a surprising appearance as the musical guest on SNL when their new album wasn't due for months. In even rarer fashion, they got to play 3 songs rather than the normal 2 - solid! Their new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, came out last month and despite my reluctance to put it above INBLT, it may be their best album as critics the world 'round sing its praise. Check out "1901", "Listomania", and "Lasso".

Back on point - we had dinner a couple doors down from the club at Brown Sugar, a local thai restaurant. 10 minutes into our meal, I nearly knocked over my Singha as Thomas Mars walked in the door right in front of me (he's the lead singer for Phoenix and Sofia Coppola's baby's daddy) followed by the rest of the band. Pretty sure he could feel me staring bullets through him and was confirmed as Whitney turned to see him. I have nothing good to say to famous people, so Whit welcomed them/thanked them for coming to Boston when we left. "They were nice", she said. The show was good as they ran a tight ship. They have no accent to speak of and have NO fans in France, b/c they sing in English. People were packed in like sardines, and I'm pretty sure the fire marshal disapproved. They played all you could want hear with highlights from previous albums ("Consolation Prizes", "Long Distance Call", "Napolean Says") and the entirety of the new album.

The night was finished of with a 6 min version of "1901" (here's the 1st half) that had them stop and then pick back up their instruments for one last chorus clapping along with the crowd and coming into the crowd (security nightmare...). I was an old man with my ear plugs, but I took them off for that encore. What a show.

Friday, June 19, 2009

You, Me and the 'Dise Make 3 - Part II (but really part I)

At the end of March, I made my debut at the 'Dise. I went to see a pretty great rock show. What a bill of buzz! It was the NME tour, so you'd expect nothing less (NME is the "new music" rag from the UK that basically overhypes anything and everything - and backlash ensues). I went for the opening act. I knew the other 2 bands but had little interest other than 2 songs I knew by each of them. Regardless, it's rare that you get to see 3 bands like this for $20 bucks anymore.

The former group, The Muslims (now the Soft Pack), were the opening band. The San Diego quartet rocked out in all their minimalist glory. Their entire "Muslims" EP was basically performed. 2 things that made me even love them more: 1) the lead singer plays an old Fender Bronco guitar (which is awesomely awesome), 2) the drummer plays standing up (nice....).


The second group was White Lies (who represent all that NME stands for - HYPE). They were fine and forgettable (I largely don't remember anything noteworthy). They're supposed to be the next Joy Division (sorry that was Interpol). I did laugh a lot during their set, because they were wearing all black and had this over dramatic light show and were WAY too somber/serious. Oh, and they sounded like the Dracula musical from Forgetting Sarah Marshall ("Van Helsing!!! Die! DIE! Die......I Can't"). Basically, I leaned against the wall with the people I came with singing vampire songs and laughing...

Rounding out the night was the Friendly Fires. Now, I'll admit that I did previously bash them on here back in August or September as a group that Zach Braff would tout. Their live set made me a fan. If not for their music (which is nothing too groundbreaking), I had to respect the energy. The lead singer was moving like a pinball. The club responded en suite. If you have never heard their song, "Skeleton Boy", check it out. It was their 2nd single that came out around the beginning of the year. You can't help but wiggle when you hear it. I was full on noodling to it live.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

I'm On a Boat - Part II

Look at me on that ___ ____ boat!!!
I'm the king of the world
On a boat like Leo
If you're on the shore,
then you're sure not me-oh
I'm riding on a dolphin, doing flips and ___
The dolphin's splashing, getting everybody all wet

But this ain't Seaworld, this is real as it gets

I'm on a boat, don't you ever forget!
Hey ma, if you could see me now
Arms spread wide on the starboard bow
Gonna fly this boat to the moon somehow
Like Kevin Garnett, anything is possible!!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I'm On A Boat


I was - all day Sunday. Me, W, Sawyer, Claire and T-Pain along with 20 something Humpback whales and the cast of Slumdog Millionaire....stinky!
The whales....not the Indians...

yes, that is my picture
it's rare that I post a pic that is not
from google
more to come!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Walcott, Don't You Wanna Get Out of Cape Cod?


VACATION! Albeit, just for the weekend but VACATION nonetheless! We are headed to the Cape with team Sawyer this weekend, and I am fired up! Going to the Sox game tonight and Cape tomorrow! After the whale watching excursion on Sunday, expect the customary "I'm On a Boat" post. Time to get my seersucker on, grab a cotton cardigan, my Sperry boat shoes (no socks), and an ascott (chuck bass, what?!?). I'm going to be killing the Vampire Weekend all weekend and noodle dancing like there's no tomorrow!

"I'm on a boat and
It's going fast and
I got a nautical themed
pashmina afghan...."