I know I can always refer to Wilco when I want to make a point about what an idiot I actually am. Not that it isn’t obvious to most people. Wilco is one of those bands that I’ve avoided most of my life. First because they weren’t aggressive enough, second because I associated them with my ex, and third because I thought they were washed up at this point. Like I said, I’m an idiot. Another reason for me to...
By Jim Harrington [email protected] Van Morrison seemed intent on proving a point. It began when he first took the stage on Monday night at the Fox Theater, promptly — as is his wont — at the scheduled set time of 8 p.m. His first notes of the evening weren’t sung, but rather blown thrown an alto saxophone. He followed that brief instrumental with a vibrant take on “Close Enough for Jazz,” from his 22nd studio album, 1993’s “Too Long in...
Perhaps someone forgot to tell members of the National that they don’t always have to try so hard. That, like a string on a guitar, any performance will eventually snap after being wound tighter and tighter. But maybe the band is used to the snap after years of touring, because they seem to do it once every other song or so. The trying so hard is second nature now. And it’s only getting better, proved by the evening’s show with...
What a strange bill. It’s not surprising to see the Morning After Girls playing with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, but it certainly is odd to throw Elefant in the mix. Australia’s Morning After Girls were a stunning wall of sound as usual. The band seem to be putting on a more charismatic stage show with the more touring they do. Compared to last year’s gig at Spaceland, the Girls came off as more confident and more commanding. And then there’s...