Back from Sigur Ros. And before I go on, I’d like to point out that slow, often very quiet music, a warm theatre and the threat of being blinded by spotlights if one opens one’s eyes are a dangerous combination. Cause you’re bloody likely to fall asleep.

Anyway. I don’t think I ever actually fell asleep, but anyone who was sitting around me can attest that I nodded off a few times. But I wasn’t the only one, I saw more than a few people in prone positions… But none of this was really disrespect to the band – Most of the time I was really just concentrating on the music. But sometimes, yeah, I nodded off. Sue me, I’m tired.

The show was pretty similar to last years, not least of all because last year they were already playing a significant amount of new material. Maybe three tracks from Aegtis Bryjun made the setlist – the rest I’d never heard before. I have the new disc spinning right now (I bought it at the show) and impressions would be that things seem more atmospheric than the last album, less conventionally song-structured if that’s possible. But these are very initial observations, I don’t doubt that () is an album that needs more than a few listens to fully appreciate.

The opener was a large Scandanavian fellow playing solo on classical guitar. His songs were quite pretty, if simple, but his nervousness was very apparent. Flubs in his playing, speeding up the tempo as songs went on, missing vocal notes… but the crowd was very gracious and forgiving and he got a fine ovation. Hopefully he’ll loosen up as the tour goes on. The same could actually be said for the headliners – this is the first show of the North American tour, and they were definitely showing signs of still getting the show together. Extended silences while the band and accompanying string section got themselves organised occurred more than a few times. The polish of a well-paced and well-played set will still be a few nights in coming, methinks. But still – almost two hours of beautiful, symphonic rock is a good night by any standards.

Not as life-changing as the show last year, but how many times can a single band change your life?

np – Sigur Ros / ()

It’s Like That, And That’s The Way That It Is

Okay, who the hell kills Run-DMC? They sing about their shoes for pete’s sake! Very upsetting. RIP Jason Mizell (1965-2002). Can someone tell me what kind of a world we live in where Jam Master Jay gets gunned down, yet Cher continues to exist in perpetuity?

np – Pixies / Dolittle

Footnote

And sometimes you don’t even need the pat on the back because doing what you need to can yield its own rewards.

Yes I’m being cryptic again.

np – The Pernice Brothers / Australia 2002

Ride Into The Sun

Magical Broom’s Vibrating Appeal

np – Ride / Shooting Blanks (Unreleased Recordings 1988-95)

Bacon Nation

From the Onion…

np – Elf Power / Creatures