I have been listening to you guys since my sophomore year of college, right around the time when all the hipsters were getting over you due to newfound pop appeal of indie rock. Your albums make me feel things. Building Nothing Out of Something makes me more melancholy and wistful than some of the best Radiohead. The Moon and Antarctica makes me want to take an everlasting autumn roadtrip to the Northwest. I defended you for years and put you up on the same impossible-to-sell-out pedestal as the Red Hot Chili Peppers who still rock after all these years of fame and fortune. Despite all of this, you disappointed me last night. Now, boys, before you reach for that whiskey, let me explain. (Actually, fuck it. Grab the whiskey).
Opening with 3rd Planet was awesome. You were on, you were energetic, you warmed up the crowd. By the next song people were already moshing up front. Then something happened and you slipped into comfortable, leveled, practiced rock. The one song that excited me in the middle was Baby Blue Sedan, but even that didn't create that much of an atmosphere. I will say that Alone Down There was a great way to leave on an intense note.
Perhaps I've been listening to too much Phish, but you sound over-rehearsed. You knew almost every note that you were going to play and where your solos were going to go. Almost every song you played was upbeat, and while I realize that it is a live show with a very young crowd, if I want to jump around all night long, I'll go see Franz Ferdinand. Where did your downer songs go? Where are the bloodcurling screams? There were some, but they felt so planned.
I bought your awesome $10 t-shirt and I will wear it proudly to promote your albums, but I don't think I'll pay any more than $15-20 to see you live again. Thanks for a fun night anyway.
Love,
Rena Ragimova
Dear Fox Theatre,
You are a gorgeous venue and I'm glad that you are in my town, stumbling distance away from a couple of friends' houses as well as bars at which I can continue drinking after your shows. Having said that, please do something about the garbled sound on the main floor in front of the stage! You didn't do anything to make the run of the mill Modest Mouse show (to which I was psyched to get tickets) any better. kthnxbye.
Sincerely,
Rena Ragimova
1 comment:
You are am absolutely amazing writer. Seriously. And I don't give out compliments like candy. Most of your posts read like they could be in some contemporary hipster magazine, which I hope you take as a compliment.
Cut down on the smugness about 95% and you're on your way. Again, I'm being serious. Keep it up.
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