2008/11/02, The blue note, Columbia MO
Break on through (to the other side)
Drunk Stephen Malkmus
The little bit of 'Break on through' sounds kinda excellent, kinda awesome. Right? The distorted recording adds to the knife edge fun.
'Drunk Stephen Malkmus' is actually the band introductions part of the show. Now, I didn't name this clip, and I don't know that Stephen sounds that out of it on the evidence of these two clips, but we're all familiar with the phenomenon. So I should write something about it, I guess.
He's probably not even indulging any more than in years past, he's just not used to it anymore. And a forty-year old's constitution isn't a twenty-year old's constitution, let's face it. I don't even want to talk about my own physical deterioration.
But it is noticeable some shows. I know people are divided: does it impact in a negative way on the performance? Maybe what it blunts musically, it adds in atmosphere? My own opinion is just that: sometimes I notice it and it does lessen my enjoyment.
You know, when I go and see the Jicks or when I hear a live recording, I never wonder if Joanna, or Mike or Janet or Mike are going to deliver. They've got better days and lesser days of course, but I know I can count on 'em. I do hope Stephen's gonna be into it, cause it varies.
There's a point in there – in Pavement Stephen was keeping the ship afloat most of the time on stage, amid a band of great characters who were wont to occasionaly slip up musically. Tiring of the musical waywardness was one of the reasons to flee the band, as I understood it. In the Jicks, he has the experienced musicians he wanted (to give credit where due, they're less iconic band characters too, but it's a tough act to follow) – so now he's the one messing up an all too tidy household? Be careful what you wish for?
Anyway, Stephen's got too much sense and too much flair to end up a charicature.
86
2008/11/6, Gothic theater, Englewood CO
Baltimore
Share the red
It kills
Forever 28
All over gently
I heard it through the grapevine
The year ends with another medium inspired show. The muffled sound of the recording may have something to do with my estimation. On the other hand, the whole new gameplan (see entries as far back as 2006 – briefly, do everything the way it's supposed to be done, take your time to get the right songs, record them right, make sure the promotion is all set up when you finally release it, promote and tour the hell out of it) was biting them in the ass. How many years have they been going over this material by now? Clearly some tweaking of the gameplan was in order, and some time off to get inspired. That would be 2009.
They march through this show professionaly, but it's only during the encores that inspiration hits (maybe not a full on hit, but sideways at least) – again with Blitzen Trapper. After a long, fiery 'I heard it through the grapevine' they also did 'Funk #49' but apparently I didn't keep that recording. (I regret that now.)
As to the rest, 'It kills' is always a welcome song. The long ending is very squiggly Grateful Dead-ish here. And more new songs start to fill up the setlist. 'Forever 28' and 'All over gently' show no great changes. 'All over gently' is announced as a song about a good breakup ('It's time someone wrote a good breakup song') – which makes sense. Even though the lyrics would change, that sentiment still carries the album version. Fits in with the subdued sadness of the album, even on the riff songs.
'Share the red' (original title 'Bill Fay') makes its first appearance. Though it's not a great performance, it's a wonderful song, right? About family, blood bonds, having children. I'm in the middle of toddler kids, so you can imagine how some of these lines can affect me:
You've got no idea of how to survive (the kid or the parent?)
You've got no idea what sets you apart (and still you're winning)
I'll be watching all the time
As always, Stephen focuses on the need to 'individuate from kith and kin'. He's right, you know.
'Drunk Stephen Malkmus' is actually the band introductions part of the show. Now, I didn't name this clip, and I don't know that Stephen sounds that out of it on the evidence of these two clips, but we're all familiar with the phenomenon. So I should write something about it, I guess.
He's probably not even indulging any more than in years past, he's just not used to it anymore. And a forty-year old's constitution isn't a twenty-year old's constitution, let's face it. I don't even want to talk about my own physical deterioration.
But it is noticeable some shows. I know people are divided: does it impact in a negative way on the performance? Maybe what it blunts musically, it adds in atmosphere? My own opinion is just that: sometimes I notice it and it does lessen my enjoyment.
You know, when I go and see the Jicks or when I hear a live recording, I never wonder if Joanna, or Mike or Janet or Mike are going to deliver. They've got better days and lesser days of course, but I know I can count on 'em. I do hope Stephen's gonna be into it, cause it varies.
There's a point in there – in Pavement Stephen was keeping the ship afloat most of the time on stage, amid a band of great characters who were wont to occasionaly slip up musically. Tiring of the musical waywardness was one of the reasons to flee the band, as I understood it. In the Jicks, he has the experienced musicians he wanted (to give credit where due, they're less iconic band characters too, but it's a tough act to follow) – so now he's the one messing up an all too tidy household? Be careful what you wish for?
Anyway, Stephen's got too much sense and too much flair to end up a charicature.
86
2008/11/6, Gothic theater, Englewood CO
Baltimore
Share the red
It kills
Forever 28
All over gently
I heard it through the grapevine
The year ends with another medium inspired show. The muffled sound of the recording may have something to do with my estimation. On the other hand, the whole new gameplan (see entries as far back as 2006 – briefly, do everything the way it's supposed to be done, take your time to get the right songs, record them right, make sure the promotion is all set up when you finally release it, promote and tour the hell out of it) was biting them in the ass. How many years have they been going over this material by now? Clearly some tweaking of the gameplan was in order, and some time off to get inspired. That would be 2009.
They march through this show professionaly, but it's only during the encores that inspiration hits (maybe not a full on hit, but sideways at least) – again with Blitzen Trapper. After a long, fiery 'I heard it through the grapevine' they also did 'Funk #49' but apparently I didn't keep that recording. (I regret that now.)
As to the rest, 'It kills' is always a welcome song. The long ending is very squiggly Grateful Dead-ish here. And more new songs start to fill up the setlist. 'Forever 28' and 'All over gently' show no great changes. 'All over gently' is announced as a song about a good breakup ('It's time someone wrote a good breakup song') – which makes sense. Even though the lyrics would change, that sentiment still carries the album version. Fits in with the subdued sadness of the album, even on the riff songs.
'Share the red' (original title 'Bill Fay') makes its first appearance. Though it's not a great performance, it's a wonderful song, right? About family, blood bonds, having children. I'm in the middle of toddler kids, so you can imagine how some of these lines can affect me:
You've got no idea of how to survive (the kid or the parent?)
You've got no idea what sets you apart (and still you're winning)
I'll be watching all the time
As always, Stephen focuses on the need to 'individuate from kith and kin'. He's right, you know.
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