bubblebath soundtrack.

Sometimes I need to write to know how I feel.  Only after I have typed or written words down in a tangible, coherent form am I able to process and really celebrate or cope. Other times I need to just listen and let the music feel for me and my mind can catch up later. Today is the latter.


Seether-- Breakdown

 

Chris Cornell-- Call Me a Dog

 

 

John Mayer-- Slow Dancing in a Burning Room 

Candlebox-- Cover Me

This is the best version of this song I could find on youtube, but if you have spotify, check out the Alive in Seattle version. It's amazing. 


update: At the brilliant recommendation of Andrew, the most perfect bubble bath song:

  I am ashamed to have overlooked such a gem.

"Look at it this way- You could live in Cambodia"

I may have shared this song before, but as people* are actually reading my blog now (though I have still yet to figure out why), I thought I'd feature it again. 

Seether-- Fine Again (From One Cold Night)

*I'm unsure of who these "people" are, they may just be creepy stalkery murderers who read my blogs in hopes of gathering enough intel about me so that they can track me down and then wear my skin as a jacket, but, hey, who am I to judge. A page view is a page view and page views sure do make me happy. Also, I realize that went to a very dark place, but I watched "Requiem for a Dream" last night and am still slightly traumatized. One thing's for sure though- I'm never doing hard core drugs. If the movie version of that reminder wasn't enough, the real life version of an addict that I got to deal with post-movie easily pushed me over the edge. And just when I was about to begin a crippling cocaine addiction- shew, that was a close one.   

 If you're a Seether fan (or just a fan of good music in general) then you must check out One Cold Night. It's an acoustic performance that the band did back in 2006 that features some of their best songs, as well as a great Pearl Jam cover. The awesome quality of the show with the additional flair that comes from their live acoustic versions of the songs make it one of my favorite albums. Definitely worth buy, especially since it comes with the cd and a dvd of the performance as well. And it's never a bad thing to get to stare for a while at Shaun Morgan and his guitar. (Is it strange that he's at the very top of my rockstars I'd love to be best friends with and eventually trick into marrying list? Because he totally is. Shaun, if you're reading this like I'm so sure you are, call me, no 'maybe' about it. And please don't hate me for the "Call Me Maybe" reference. I totally don't know all the words to that song.)    

      

"Fine Again" is a staple on my sad day playlist. It's always the last song, put there purposely to serve as the kick in the ass to get me out of the "my life is terrible, I hate everyone and they hate me back, I'm going to be alone forever and my poor little heart is broken because I need too much and can't just be complacent and even worse I can't even get started on my life as a lonely crazy cat lady because I don't have my own apartment to fill with cats" phase and into the "seriously, you've let yourself cry for at least an hour listening to this ridiculous music that's only making you cry more and now it's time to pick yourself up off the floor and move on" phase. 

My exact feelings about not just this day but this entire week. Apparently breaking a mirror really is serious business.

The sad day playlist had been getting quite a few spins the last few days; they'd been some of the worst I've had in a while. Then last night happened, and I wanted to kick myself in the face for thinking it couldn't get worse. Because it did, in fact get terribly, terribly worse.  (And what's most unfortunate is that I wasted a lazy, yoga pants day yesterday when a makeup-less, homeless-haired, ugly day today would have been much better used today. Ok, that's actually far from the most unfortunate part, but if I don't pretend that my life is as manageable as the pants I'm wearing, then I'm really going to lose it. And ain't nobody got time for that.) 

But, playing "Fine Again" on repeat and looking at my "LOLing all over the floor" Pinterest Board made me feel a little better today. Take a peek at it if you need a reason to smile. It worked for me. (I'd also like to share with you my "because one day, i will be a crazy cat lady" board as well because it's also quite amusing, , but that would require me admitting that I have an entire Pinterest board full of nothing but pictures of cats and cat related things. And that would clearly make me a loser, which I am not. I mean, really, I'm pretty sure I'm the exact opposite of a loser, sitting here blogging (non-loser quality number 1) about how no good/very bad/terrible/horrible my life is (non-loser quality number 2) while lying about my obsession of looking at funny pictures of felines (non-loser quality 3, and 4, simply because I used the word "feline"). 

Things will eventually be fine again, no matter how they turn out. I must resist my urge to just lay down and die (because Megan said so, thanks again Best Bia) and just hope that the decisions I make are the right ones. And if not, I'll just try and remember this quote from Jason's dad that he shared at work with us today: "Look at it this way- you could live in Cambodia." Amen, Eddie. Amen.

Seether/ My Darkest Days/ Red Jumpsuit Apparatus [review]

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Buster's Billiards & Backroom

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus  opened the show with a less than stellar performance. Even their most recognizable hit, "Face Down", was a disappointment with singer Ronnie Winter giving disappointing performance vocally.

More interesting than the show was my analysis of wardrobe. The drummer must have know about Lexington's love for 'jorts' because he was rocking a pair. Well, rocking implies that they looked good on him, and they most certainly did not. Let's just say he was attempting to wear them. I understand, drumming gets hot, with all the physical activity and such, but some people just aren't meant to go shirtless on stage. And the way he was licking his drumsticks was uncomfortable, and just unsanitary...and really just freaked me out, to be honest. Overall, the performance was pretty unenjoyable and not something I ever plan to take part of again. 

My Darkest Days

My Darkest Days swept in and saved the show from the downward spiral that RJA had sent the night into. Playing what are sure to be hits from their self-titled album, the band blew the audience away with one of the best live shows I have seen from a new band in a very, very long time. When I initially heard "Porn Star Dancing" on the radio, I admit I was not a fan, especially when I heard about their Chad Kroeger connection. Here's another Nickelback, I assumed, with songs about strippers and general debauchary that seem to be the theme of a majority of Kroeger's lyrics. I listened to their other songs online, though, and realized I was right about the Nickelback similarity, but in a completely different way. MDD has that radio-friendly, catchy-as-hell quality that will likely boost them to a level of popularity close to that of their Canadian brethren.

        Playing songs like "Move Your Body" and "Set It On Fire" led the crowd to do both of those things, in a almost uncontrollably way. People were moving to the beat, swaying hips and nodding heads, and all the friction from the movement and heat radiating off the bodies really made it feel like the room was truly in flames.

MDD had some of the greatest crowd interaction I've seen, ever, and are now on the list of best live bands I've seen, just because of the simple little things they did to draw the audience in. They were there to entertain the people and gain new fans, and it was literally almost impossible not to fall in love with them and their music. It's rare these days to find a band that not only has high-quality musicians who can actually sing and play live, but who also can put on a kick-ass concert that showcases their well written and just all around really good songs. It's hard not to get a little jaded or complacent with the bands out today who all sound similar and play a set that is just another unmemorable 45 minutes of your life. My Darkest Days re-energized me and my love for live shows, reminding me that there actually are new bands out there that are worth getting behind. They gained at least one new fan that night, but I'd say there are a lot more than me that crossed over to the MDD side.      

Seether

Seether has a live show is the antithesis of My Darkest Days. Gone from the stage was the fun, party atmosphere, conversations with the crowd, and leading of chants and those sometimes distracting frills. For Seether, the show was truly all about the music.

 

"Country Song"

They kicked off their set with "Fur Cue", the first song from their latest album, Holding On to Stings Better Left to Fray. Though the song hadn't even been released at the time of the show, it was a perfect start to their set. More familiar songs, like "Needles" and "Fine Again" came next, and the latter song had the walls of Buster's echoing not just with the sound from the band but from almost every member of the audience singing the words. It was one of those moments that gives you chills and makes your heart flutter a little. It took my mind back to what Brent Smith always says at the beginning of a Shinedown show, that while that particular concert is happening, nothing else in the world matters. It's just you, the music, and the other people in the room. That night, everyone in the sold-out crowd was truly connected by the words of the song and the sounds of the instruments. It was a moment that can only happen at a concert, a piece of time when, even if you've come to the concert completely alone, you find that you are still intertwined with a room full of people you don't even know. It's an amazing feeling, and one of the best parts of a live show. Seether is a master at this type of production. 

If you're at a Seether show, then you know you're going to hear the song "Broken". As a way of mixing up what has to be one of the millionth times the boys have played the song, they turned it into 'Uncle Dalington's Story Hour' named after guitarist Dale Stewart, where a table was rolled out, complete with red tablecloth, fine leather-bound books, and lit candles. It was a fun change to hearing the song, and it was obvious that the band was enjoying themselves.

I had heard talk of the illusive Seether cover of Nirvana and just how much Shaun Morgan could sound just like Kurt Cobain. Not until that night at Buster's, though, did i have the privilege of hearing it for myself. When the first notes of "Heart Shaped Box" rang out, the audience came alive like a shock had simultaneously rang through everyone. The similarity in the vocals was uncanny. It's probably the closest to hearing Nirvana live I'll ever get, unless I see the Foo Fighters and they do a cover, but the voice still won't be that similar. It was a serious moment for me, and an awesome one at that.

"Heart Shaped Box" 

Later the band jammed into "Fake It," with an extended intro that had such a strong and fun groove the even Morgan and Stewart couldn't resist having fun with it. They broke into grins that covered their entire faces. It was proof that they absolutely love what they are doing.

Seether isn't a band that's going to talk a lot to the audience and really try to pump them up like My Darkest Days. For Morgan and the boys, it's all about the music and their fans appreciate that. They have mind-blowing musical talent, and even though they aren't leading the crowd to wave their hands in the air or to simultaneously jump up and down, the show is still intense and amazing. They are an unforgettable band to watch play live, and a must- see if you are a rock fan. Buster's was a perfect venue for them, with the smaller size making the audience feel close and a really connected to the band.

 

Aside from the rocky start, it was yet another great evening of rock at the best place to see live music in Lexington. 

Ramble On - March 9

I've been a little absent from here lately (being an over-committed over-achiever can have that effect on you) but some huge musical things have been happening that I felt I must comment on. So here's to hoping that my absence has only made your heart grow fonder and your ears opener, or something like that :)

  Alice in Chains- Nutshell-- Most everyone has heard the news this week of the tragic passing of former Alice in Chains bassist, Mike Starr. So as my little homage to him and the entire band that was so influential to the music of the nineties (and still today in their new reincarnation) I give you my favorite AIC song, and quite possibly my most favorite song of all time, "Nutshell." (And before you get your panties in a wad, I do know that Starr is not playing bass in this video as he had already left the band at this point. But I feel like the words and the emotion of the song can relate really well to the situation.) This is seriously such a painfully beautiful song, and I adore everything about it, from the guitars to that undeniably beautiful and unmistakable voice of Layne Staley. Also, if you like this song, there are some really great covers of it, including one by Staind and, my favorite, by Brent Smith of Shinedown and Shaun Morgan of Seether. I'll plug that video in for you, too, because it is seriously glorious. Oh yes, it's that good. But, back to the point: RIP, Mike Starr, and Layne, too, while we're on the subject. You both did amazing things for music, and now can serve as lessons for young musicians of the path not to follow. Drugs are bad, m'kay?
 
   

 Foo Fighters- Rope-- It has been a while since the Foo Fighters have put out a new album (Four years, actually, not counting their 2009 greatest hits album). With the release of "Rope," the first single off the new record "Wasting Light" that is due out April 12, Dave Grohl and the boys have stirred up quite a bit of interest from fans old and new alike. The song is very reminiscent of old school Foo, while still being different and fresh. Really interestingly, the band recorded "Wasting Light" in Grohl's garage without using digital recording equipment. Maybe that's part of the reason it has that vintage vibe. No matter, this "atomic beast of a single," as so aptly Rolling Stone calls it, has that awesome Foo Fighters sound that you've been craving. (Also, as a side note, if you love that classic Foo-style video where the boys are dressing up and acting a fool (go watch "Learn to Fly RIGHT NOW if you haven't seen it), check out "White Limo." It's got some great cameos and is seriously funny. Oh, and the song's n0t bad either! Also, Taylor, if you're reading this, I love you and think you're beautiful and you play drums real pretty and we should get married. That is all.) Official site: http://www.foofighters.com/us     

Seether- Country Song--  Don't panic y'all, Seether hasn't pulled a Hootie or an Aaron Lewis and gone country. The title of the first single from "Holding on to Strings Better Left to Fray" definitely has a country groove to it, but is still very much rocking (and the lyrics don't even say a word about losing a wife or dog or a preferred color of transportation while plowing a field). Shaun Morgan, the man with the voice, says, "It's basically a feel good song, musically, with a lyrical contrast dealing with the realization that a relationship has reached it's conclusion." And, as for the southern-fried-flavor of it, he accredits that to the city I  (and it sounds like he) loves so much: "It's definitely not country, but we recorded the album in Nashville, and felt like it was a small homage to such a wonderful city. The release of this first single and their upcoming tour dates in a city near you (Who's gonna be at Busters?!) makes me and the hoards of other enthusiastic Seether fans very excited about what's to come from Seether. The new album is set to drop in May. It's gonna be a long couple of months waiting for this one.  Official site: http://www.seether.com/   

buzzfest 2010- A Kick in the Teeth

Buzzfest 2010 ~ Sept 10 2010 ~ Nashville, Tennessee

Buzzfest, the annual outdoor music festival hosted by Nashville's 102.9 The Buzz, returned again September 10 to Music City, bringing with it some of the biggest names in rock to the town known for it's country roots.   

Lesser known bands Janus and Seven Day Binge kicked off the show, but when faced with driving through rainstorms and potentially standing outside in said rainstorms for bands I that didn't pass my "instant fan test" when I sampled their music online, I chose to skip out on their sets. Sick Puppies was a band I hadn't seen before but enjoyed, though, so I made sure to get to the stadium (well, technically outside of the stadium where the main stage was set up) just in time for their part of the show to start, but still rockin' the rain boots, just in case.

Sick Puppies put on a good show, playing the songs that had made them popular, but many of the songs were unfamiliar to me, and just didn't draw me in. (And, for the purpose of full disclosure, at the beginning of Sick Puppies set, Shinedown was in the autograph tent, so i'll honestly admit that I listened and watched from a distance as I nervously planned to finally get a picture with my favorite band ever, only to realize once I got to them that no pics were allowed, as usual. But, I think my addiction to their shows and my name dropping boyfriend finally made an impression on their memory, and Eric, Zach, Barry and Brent FINALLY recognized us. At least Eric did, because he said "Nice to see you guys again." If that ain't proof, then i don't know what is.) Back to the point, though: Overall, Sick Puppies put on a good show and were great musicians, especially with the awesome girl bass player, but they would have been much more appreciated later in the day.    

Next up on the stage was Drowning Pool. This was the point in the day where the entire feel of the show changed. Excitement levels went up (right along side many people's drunken levels) and the crowd started to pack closer and closer to the stage. The combination of all these elements led to one of the first big blood-shedding fights of the day, and once that happens, you know a real rock show is about to begin.

After resurfacing a few years ago from relative obscurity with the release of "Full Circle," Drowning Pool brought a strong mix of their new jams along with the older ones that put them on the map. The audience loved every second of their latest single "Feel Like I Do," and also "37 Stitches," but the real reaction came as they finally played the one song we all had been waiting for: "Bodies." Hands shot to the air as they counted down the "nothing wrong with me's" and "something's got to give's" and collectively screamed the chorus to the song. As their set closed, the crowd was pumped up and ready for the rest of the lineup.       

As the sun started its decent down through the Nashville skyline, the stage lit up as Papa Roach kicked off their set. By this point, the crowd was just a lit up as the stage (but what else would you expect when a beer brand is the sponsor of a show?) and that was just the energy that was perfect for Papa Roach to feed off of.  They didn't play a bad song. Hit after hit, the new residents of Indie label Eleven Seven Music only played one song that the fans didn't know all the words to, but it was obvious that"Burn," off their newly released "Time for Annihilation" is destined to join the ranks of "Scars" and "Getting Away with Murder."

Frontman Jacoby Shaddix is widely known for his vocal abilities and front-man abilities, but the rest of the band really had a chance to show off during an extended intro into "Forever," proving that they were more than just a band with a good singer- they're an all around awesome band, with a live show that grabs you and doesn't let go.

By the time that Papa Roach had left the stage after a set cut short because of thunderstorm chances for the area, on and off sprinkles left the audience damp from the rain and sweat from the day's unexpected heat (remember, i was wearing rain boots--rubber rain boots.  rubber rain boots+no real rain+pretty outrageous heat= a slightly perturbed kelli with really hot feet. not so pleasant.) But, Seether was next on the list, so there was not time for whining, sitting, or even a much needed pee-break. I had made my way to the very front and not-quite center, so I was there to stay.

I must admit, I was a little weary of the Seether show. The last time I had seen them, it was right after the death of singer Shaun Morgan's brother. That show's mood was somber to say the least, still amazing, but Morgan had no interaction with the audience. He just sang the songs (really, really well!) and that was it. From the time the South African band took the stage, though, the feeling was different. Morgan conversated (i think i just made that word up, but i like it, so i'll keep it) with the audience, smiling and enjoying himself and, oh yeah, rocking out, too.

They plowed through favorites like "Fine Again" and their version of "Careless Whisper." We were even treated to a sneak preview of a new song from their soon to be released follow up to 2009's "Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces." A really beautiful part of their set came as Dale Stewart traded his bass for a guitar did a acoustic version of "Broken" with Morgan. Literally every voice in the audience sang along as they played a few verses.




Under a sky that had darkened from both clouds and the fading sun, the audience knew that after Seether left the stage, headliners Shinedown would soon be taking hold of the reins for the rest of the night (horse reference...the world equestrian games coming to lexington this week must be getting to me).





As you know if you've read any of my other blogs or know me at all, this was not my first Shinedown rodeo (horses? again!? ugghh!!). I had seen them about a month before at the Carnival of Madness, along side Sevendust, Chevelle, etc. I've seen them a couple other times for their Sound of Madness tour as well, so to say that I basically have the set memorized is an understatement.

 I was slightly disappointed with the set up time that it took. I don't know exactly how long it took, I didn't time it though I wish I would have, but it was slightly exorbitant. The crowd got irritated and even began throwing bottles and cans onto the stage, yelling and just becoming unruly. Eventually, the white sheet was raised up and 99 problems blasted over the speakers, and I (thanks to my extensive Shinedown experience) knew that the show was about to start.           

 

This set was basically the same as the Carnival of Madness (which varied only slightly from Sound of Madness, but I'm not complaining. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Plus, how different can you make the show with no new album?) Brent, who in case you live under a rock or are just not as obsessed as i am is the singer of Shinedown, did the whole "look to the left and to the right of you, make friends, we're the only people in the world who matter right now" and before "If You Only Knew" gave his little speech about how women are the most beautiful creatures on Earth. I enjoyed them just as much as the first time I heard them. He also did the whole "rise" element of the show, and for those of you who don't know what that is, I'll let you go to your first Shinedown show and experience that for yourself.  It's pretty sweet :)

The rest of the show was amazing, as usual, with a mix of songs from all their albums, including an acoustic version of "Simple Man" that is always a winner with the crowd. But, during "Second Chance," my heart broke a little. Now, I am not so obtuse that I believe that every sound that I hear is live during the show, but i really believed that all of Brent's singing was live. But watch the video, specifically around the 16 second mark and see if you catch what I caught.        

Overall, though, the show was great. Shinedown puts on the best show of any rock band out today, with some of the best music as well. It is highly unlikely that the people who saw them for the first time aren't big fans now. Shinedown has the power to do that to ya. 

Buzzfest is almost guaranteed to be a great show, every year. With bands like Shinedown, Seether, and Papa Roach you can know that for the cheap ticket price you get an amazing concert. This year was no different--Buzzfest 2010's verdict: Simply Amazing, with scattered sprinkles, rain boots suggested.