passionate and pissed

So, i was a little concerned about the concert when i arrived at Lowes Landmark Theater (Jersey City). I seemed to be one of the oldest and more conservative looking persons there (even with a bright orange peacoat and converse). But on the other hand, i was there to hear good music and if i picked up some hipster fashion trends in the process...who could complain about that? the theater it self was old and ornate, partially falling apart but more like the velvetine rabbit - well loved.

We (i met my friend ryan) sat off to the left of the stage, and made it just in time to watch Feist walk out and start their set. Some bands are album good, and some are good live...and there are a select few that can pull it off on both accounts, sometimes sounding totally different but in a refreshing way...almost as if you are getting a 2fer1 deal.

and this is Feist. the girl can ROCK IT OUT! Leslie Feist, as i mentioned before, is one of the lead singers in the canadian band Broken Social Scene. she has this indie mod-chic look to her. the album (Let it Die - which i command you to buy ((esp. if you are a girl)) is very calculated mellow and moody,...retro yet really green. textured and melodic, it stands alone. . their live performance was much more blues/jazz improv with sum punk rock and folk mixed in...sounds weird, but trust me soooo good! the song Mushaboom (which was featured in Paste Magazine a few issues back) was one of the last songs in the set, and Conor Oberst came out and helped sing.

on to Bright Eyes.

i was given a little warning by a friend that Conor - lead singer- is this "hipster heart throb". so, when girls (and guys) stared screaming for him right off the bat (begging him to take off his shirt hmmmmm) i wasn't really surprised. he milks it and loves it.

but all that isn't important! the band, which was a good 8 heads strong, was amazing. the lyrics which i consider the best part of bright eyes, are sung with such passion and fire, that even if one doesn't agree with what is said, value and appreciation can still be found. (i must admit i find myself agreeing with more these days - without compromising my faith of course). The occational screaming (by the band) didn't bother me b/c there is purpose behind it...there are no words wailed for the sake of wailing- he is pissed for a reason and i can appreciate that...

it happened to be the final night of the tour, so the encore was a riot on sage - not a riot "ha ha" but a riot "out of control". people, musicians, crew members, managers were coming out of the wood work and playing instruments and dancing. the sound was still constant, and it made for one of the best finale's i have ever seen! there was no stink of production. it was all out of shear excitement and celebration!!

(big breath...shew!)

so there you have it! a proper review of a concert. hope it wasn't to boring. i included some great lyrics below to redeem myself.

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"...And I'm not sure what the trouble was that started all of this

The reasons all have run away but the feeling never did

It's not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live

Cause what is simple in the moonlight, by the morning never is

What's so simple in the moonlight, now is so complicated

What's so simple in the moonlight, so simple in the moonlight."

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"...We must hang up in the belfry

Where the bats and moonlight laugh

We must stare into a crystal ball and only see the past

And in the caverns of tomorrow

With just our flashlights and our love

We must plunge, we must plunge, we must plunge

And then we'll get down there, way down to the very bottom of everything

And then we'll see it, oh we'll see it, we'll see it, we'll see it

Oh my morning's coming back

The whole world's waking up

All the city buses swimming past

I'm happy just becauseI found out I am really no one"

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next week's review: iron and wine with colexico!