Sleepy Jackson / Stars / Broken Social Scene
Sorry - I meant to post this yesterday but just worked, worked, worked instead.Thursday night Jane & I hit Sleepy Jackson at Ameoba - they were great!! I was psyched to have been listening to their CD for awhile. And even as *bright* and acoustic the Ameoba setup is, they sounded fantastic. On the postcard they handed out it had a quote from Rolling Stone I hadn't seen yet - and I thought it summed it up perfectly:
"The evidence here suggests the Sleepy Jackson could make a great punk album, or a great country album, or a great psychedelic album. Instead, they've simply made a great album, and one of the best debuts of the year." ~ Rolling Stone
Here's some more reviews of their new album, if you're interested. The lead singer is really talented. Go get the album - they're awesome.
After that Jane & I couldn't muster up the energy to clack through the used CD's at Ameoba - so we went & had dinner at Asqew Grill before I dropped her off & I headed over to meet Rick for the Broken Social Scene show at GAMH.
The opener Jason Collett was pretty good - he reminded me a lot of Ryan Adams.... we were a little caught up in just taking notice to him being all about becoming someone like Ryan Adams, but he actually does have a nice voice and a fairly good stage presence - so I'm sure if we actually knew some of his songs we woulda been having fun like some of the *true* fans jammin out with him in the front row. He ended up playing w/ everyone the rest of the night through, which was cool too.
Stars went on 2nd and I thought they were great. I want that CD actually. The lead singer guy was "interesting" but harmless and I kinda liked how cooky he was coming off - but then again, I have a soft spot for freaks. And the other lead, Amy Millan has SUCH a beautiful voice (OMG!!!) just beautiful... I can't wait to hear more of her.
About this time I was starting to totally stress out - I'm on all these major deadlines and despite the great music I felt myself just totally freaking about all the work I have to do - and who was I to think I could just be here at this show and not home working!??! I tell you this for the review to come...
Broken Social Scene: Again - so happy that I had their CD for awhile before I saw them... but I am not even sure I would have needed it because I *LOVED* their set. They opened w/ the instrumental songs they have (no vocals) and I was so into it. By the 3rd song, my stress had melted away (well, for the most part - enough to let myself stay for one more hour & THEN go home & work till 2am!)... I was just loving every bit of their diversity, energy, style, horns!!!!They're all just phenominal musicians. So professional and such a family on stage - it was EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I would have gone to this show Wednesday night - so that I could have told 10 more people to go w/ me again lastnight.
Interestingly enough my friend Rick didn't get into it as much as me... Granted I think he was just in the mood for a more rockin show (which he got lastnight at The Darkness!!!!!!) But it's funny cuz it was our same experience w/ Mars Volta where I totally freaked I loved them so much - and he was like "ya, it was good, sure".
Anyway, that's the best thing about music, it moves everyone in different ways..... I personally feel HEALED by a great show. I felt great after lastnight's and was SOO happy that despite my work and stress I stayed for the experience. It was fantastic.
