great review Kosmo. anyone have the setlist they played? i cant wait to see em in NYC on Friday.
Soundtrack of our Lives
Kosmo: The dj'ing last night was a perfect compliment to the show. Was that you at the controls, or were you a civilian last night?
I agree with your review totally. The Dears sound engineer spent the TSOOL set right down front, center, and later was dancin' like a maniac at DC9; me thinks he LOVES the music scene.
I missed the openers, but heard a few people say later they really liked 'em, despite the retro hairdos. I was not familiar with TSOOL, but list me as their "newest" fan - I'm going to try to make their late show in NYC on Thurs. For the record, their early show Thurs. is supporting Robert Plant…I heard he likes Mathias' geetar playin' too.
I agree with your review totally. The Dears sound engineer spent the TSOOL set right down front, center, and later was dancin' like a maniac at DC9; me thinks he LOVES the music scene.
I missed the openers, but heard a few people say later they really liked 'em, despite the retro hairdos. I was not familiar with TSOOL, but list me as their "newest" fan - I'm going to try to make their late show in NYC on Thurs. For the record, their early show Thurs. is supporting Robert Plant…I heard he likes Mathias' geetar playin' too.
Funny, my review would be nearly the opposite of Darth Ed's. I didn't love The Dears – two songs were really good, but I was VERY put off by how loud it was. Because I had to have earplugs, I think I missed the full effect, and overall it kind of bothered me. Also, while the last song and maybe the fourth to last were really good, I thought the others were marginal – a lot like many bands I've seen of late (Hope of the States, etc).
I loved TSOOL – the rock was there and really rockin', and they enjoy playing. It helps that I've listened to "Behind the Music" a gazillion times, and they played a lot off that album.
I think there were certainly stoned, but I thought it was cute. I hate Monday shows – I'm nearly always cranky, and last night in particular I worked just about up to the time I had to get to the club, so for me to have enjoyed it so much (and only checked my watch once), is a pretty big deal and indicative of a happy camper.
Did anyone else notice that the bass player looked and 'head-bobbed' a LOT like Markie??
I loved TSOOL – the rock was there and really rockin', and they enjoy playing. It helps that I've listened to "Behind the Music" a gazillion times, and they played a lot off that album.
I think there were certainly stoned, but I thought it was cute. I hate Monday shows – I'm nearly always cranky, and last night in particular I worked just about up to the time I had to get to the club, so for me to have enjoyed it so much (and only checked my watch once), is a pretty big deal and indicative of a happy camper.
Did anyone else notice that the bass player looked and 'head-bobbed' a LOT like Markie??
Did anyone notice the guy in the audience who was a dead ringer for Billy Bragg?
American Minor get an A for effort. I hope they sold some merch, because they must spend a small fortune on detangler.
I didn't find The Dears as bad as some of the reviews on this board would lead me to believe. That said, I'm not terribly eager to see them again.
TSOOL were great. Definitely more sloppy than they were last time and the sound was subpar and muddy, but I'm not complaining. Lots of new stuff, several from Behind the Music, and 1 or 2 from Infant Freebase. I thought the new stuff sounded pretty good live, although the guitars got buried in the mix, especially early in the show. Ebbot definitely dropped the shaman act in favor of the laid-back act last night.
Thanks again Kosmo.
American Minor get an A for effort. I hope they sold some merch, because they must spend a small fortune on detangler.
I didn't find The Dears as bad as some of the reviews on this board would lead me to believe. That said, I'm not terribly eager to see them again.
TSOOL were great. Definitely more sloppy than they were last time and the sound was subpar and muddy, but I'm not complaining. Lots of new stuff, several from Behind the Music, and 1 or 2 from Infant Freebase. I thought the new stuff sounded pretty good live, although the guitars got buried in the mix, especially early in the show. Ebbot definitely dropped the shaman act in favor of the laid-back act last night.
Thanks again Kosmo.
I'm bummed about missing this show…I luv the Dears record and was thinking of going until jetlag and fatigue got the best of me early in the night..here's to hoping they make the rounds soon..how was the attendance for this show?
Great show. Pretty much what I expected.
Theyve been around awhile and you can definitely tell as they are very tight musically. Their new songs were fantastic I thought. Really fit into the set well. Definitely an older crowd than what I am used to as they lean towards the 60's Doors/The Who type of sound….
Wasnt as packed as I thought it would be for a grammy nominated band and the amount of perceived buzz that they got from their last album, but I didnt mind as I got to get a great seat. Probably because it was a Monday as well.
Overall, it was a great show. Wasnt the surreal experience of the last time I saw them, but they have written some great songs and are very talented. Great band.
Missed The Dears…..Maybe next time.
Theyve been around awhile and you can definitely tell as they are very tight musically. Their new songs were fantastic I thought. Really fit into the set well. Definitely an older crowd than what I am used to as they lean towards the 60's Doors/The Who type of sound….
Wasnt as packed as I thought it would be for a grammy nominated band and the amount of perceived buzz that they got from their last album, but I didnt mind as I got to get a great seat. Probably because it was a Monday as well.
Overall, it was a great show. Wasnt the surreal experience of the last time I saw them, but they have written some great songs and are very talented. Great band.
Missed The Dears…..Maybe next time.
I didn't see American Minor so can't comment on them. But their shirts were pretty cool, so that's something.
I was looking forward to seeing the Dears, having heard a few tracks and liking them. And while there were several moments where I thought "WOW! this is great!", overall I thought it was only okay and I wouldn't go out of my way to see them again. The songs seemed a little disjointed, like they were made up of several different parts that didn't quite work together. I was also wishing that the singer would've pulled his mic stand up a bit, because he kept slouching and stooping. Stand up straight, man! I also thought it was one level too loud.
STOOL were great. They seemed a little stiff out of the gate, but once they got going with the Behind the Music material, they were on fire. Mind the Gap was just great. Was surprised that it wasn't the ear-busting set that their previous show had been. After the Dears, I raced over to get ear plugs, anticipating another explosion from Soundtrack, but I never ended up pulling them out.
Soundtrack are a great live band, and I liked how the musicians sounded and looked. There is nothing wrong with some scissor-kicking showmanship. The sound quality wasn't great, but it all came through. Ebbot was sounding somewhat Pollard-like, and in fact, I thought they sounded a bit like GBV a couple time. Very enjoyable set and I'll see them every time they come to town. I'm liking the new album too.
And I really appreciated hearing The Who's "Bargain" right before Soundtrack. Such a great song.
I was looking forward to seeing the Dears, having heard a few tracks and liking them. And while there were several moments where I thought "WOW! this is great!", overall I thought it was only okay and I wouldn't go out of my way to see them again. The songs seemed a little disjointed, like they were made up of several different parts that didn't quite work together. I was also wishing that the singer would've pulled his mic stand up a bit, because he kept slouching and stooping. Stand up straight, man! I also thought it was one level too loud.
STOOL were great. They seemed a little stiff out of the gate, but once they got going with the Behind the Music material, they were on fire. Mind the Gap was just great. Was surprised that it wasn't the ear-busting set that their previous show had been. After the Dears, I raced over to get ear plugs, anticipating another explosion from Soundtrack, but I never ended up pulling them out.
Soundtrack are a great live band, and I liked how the musicians sounded and looked. There is nothing wrong with some scissor-kicking showmanship. The sound quality wasn't great, but it all came through. Ebbot was sounding somewhat Pollard-like, and in fact, I thought they sounded a bit like GBV a couple time. Very enjoyable set and I'll see them every time they come to town. I'm liking the new album too.
And I really appreciated hearing The Who's "Bargain" right before Soundtrack. Such a great song.
i was not djing and the TSOOL sound guy had his iPod plugged before thier set…
great review koz …
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:Was it this song ?
Wish I knew the song title, but about the third song from the end, The Dear delivered one of the best Ziggy Stardust era inspired tunes Iâ??ve heard.
Kosmo's review put it better than I did.
I think I was put off by what I maintain was really poor sound quality during the TSOOL set. I was standing ten feet from stage, right in front, and I couldn't understand a word Ebbot said all night. Perhaps if I had been more familiar with TSOOL's music, then I would have understood the lyrics better and the poor sound quality wouldn't have bothered me so much, but I had a hard time getting into their set because of it. They had some really rocking songs though and I enjoyed TSOOL for the most part.
Still think The Dears were just awesome though. Too bad their album doesn't sound like how they performed live last night.
I think I was put off by what I maintain was really poor sound quality during the TSOOL set. I was standing ten feet from stage, right in front, and I couldn't understand a word Ebbot said all night. Perhaps if I had been more familiar with TSOOL's music, then I would have understood the lyrics better and the poor sound quality wouldn't have bothered me so much, but I had a hard time getting into their set because of it. They had some really rocking songs though and I enjoyed TSOOL for the most part.
Still think The Dears were just awesome though. Too bad their album doesn't sound like how they performed live last night.
POP MUSIC
Wednesday, March 23, 2005; Page C05
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Mention current Swedish rock singers and the name that's likely to pop into most heads is Pelle Almqvist of the Hives. But Ebbot Lundberg is the Scandinavian howler most worthy of household-name status. First with Stooges-worshiping maniacs Union Carbide Productions and for the past decade as frontman for Soundtrack of Our Lives, his DNA is woven into one of Swede-rock's most diverse and enduring bodies of work. TSOOL drew a modest crowd to the 9:30 club Monday night, but the sextet leaped, strutted and stomped like it was entertaining an arena.
The group's latest disc, "Origin, Vol. 1," is a typical Soundtrack creation: rooted in the glory of late-'60s British rock, dusted with psychedelia and strewn with both boring duds and thrilling rockers. But also true to form, the band's live act puts its records to shame. Guitarists Ian Person and Mattias Baerjed wrapped Pete Townshend riffs around Lundberg's vocals on "Transcendental Suicide" and "Mother One Track Mind," while drummer Fredrik Sandsten (amusingly clad as a football referee) thumped out a pure Charlie Watts heartbeat.
The 90-minute show's main focus was "Origin" highlights – its single, "Bigtime," was given a much-needed butt-kicking – but Lundberg sounded sharp when reaching back for "Instant Repeater '99" and "Sister Surround." What TSOOL showed again Monday was that it is an outstanding live act, simply because it does what so many other rock bands can't: squeeze and shake every ounce of energy from its songs without ever falling prey to sloppiness.
– Patrick Foster
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58508-2005Mar22.html
Wednesday, March 23, 2005; Page C05
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Mention current Swedish rock singers and the name that's likely to pop into most heads is Pelle Almqvist of the Hives. But Ebbot Lundberg is the Scandinavian howler most worthy of household-name status. First with Stooges-worshiping maniacs Union Carbide Productions and for the past decade as frontman for Soundtrack of Our Lives, his DNA is woven into one of Swede-rock's most diverse and enduring bodies of work. TSOOL drew a modest crowd to the 9:30 club Monday night, but the sextet leaped, strutted and stomped like it was entertaining an arena.
The group's latest disc, "Origin, Vol. 1," is a typical Soundtrack creation: rooted in the glory of late-'60s British rock, dusted with psychedelia and strewn with both boring duds and thrilling rockers. But also true to form, the band's live act puts its records to shame. Guitarists Ian Person and Mattias Baerjed wrapped Pete Townshend riffs around Lundberg's vocals on "Transcendental Suicide" and "Mother One Track Mind," while drummer Fredrik Sandsten (amusingly clad as a football referee) thumped out a pure Charlie Watts heartbeat.
The 90-minute show's main focus was "Origin" highlights – its single, "Bigtime," was given a much-needed butt-kicking – but Lundberg sounded sharp when reaching back for "Instant Repeater '99" and "Sister Surround." What TSOOL showed again Monday was that it is an outstanding live act, simply because it does what so many other rock bands can't: squeeze and shake every ounce of energy from its songs without ever falling prey to sloppiness.
– Patrick Foster
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58508-2005Mar22.html
POP MUSIC
Wednesday, March 23, 2005; Page C05
The Washington Post
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Mention current Swedish rock singers and the name that's likely to pop into most heads is Pelle Almqvist of the Hives. But Ebbot Lundberg is the Scandinavian howler most worthy of household-name status. First with Stooges-worshiping maniacs Union Carbide Productions and for the past decade as frontman for Soundtrack of Our Lives, his DNA is woven into one of Swede-rock's most diverse and enduring bodies of work. TSOOL drew a modest crowd to the 9:30 club Monday night, but the sextet leaped, strutted and stomped like it was entertaining an arena.
The group's latest disc, "Origin, Vol. 1," is a typical Soundtrack creation: rooted in the glory of late-'60s British rock, dusted with psychedelia and strewn with both boring duds and thrilling rockers. But also true to form, the band's live act puts its records to shame. Guitarists Ian Person and Mattias Baerjed wrapped Pete Townshend riffs around Lundberg's vocals on "Transcendental Suicide" and "Mother One Track Mind," while drummer Fredrik Sandsten (amusingly clad as a football referee) thumped out a pure Charlie Watts heartbeat.
The 90-minute show's main focus was "Origin" highlights – its single, "Bigtime," was given a much-needed butt-kicking – but Lundberg sounded sharp when reaching back for "Instant Repeater '99" and "Sister Surround." What TSOOL showed again Monday was that it is an outstanding live act, simply because it does what so many other rock bands can't: squeeze and shake every ounce of energy from its songs without ever falling prey to sloppiness.
– Patrick Foster
Wednesday, March 23, 2005; Page C05
The Washington Post
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Mention current Swedish rock singers and the name that's likely to pop into most heads is Pelle Almqvist of the Hives. But Ebbot Lundberg is the Scandinavian howler most worthy of household-name status. First with Stooges-worshiping maniacs Union Carbide Productions and for the past decade as frontman for Soundtrack of Our Lives, his DNA is woven into one of Swede-rock's most diverse and enduring bodies of work. TSOOL drew a modest crowd to the 9:30 club Monday night, but the sextet leaped, strutted and stomped like it was entertaining an arena.
The group's latest disc, "Origin, Vol. 1," is a typical Soundtrack creation: rooted in the glory of late-'60s British rock, dusted with psychedelia and strewn with both boring duds and thrilling rockers. But also true to form, the band's live act puts its records to shame. Guitarists Ian Person and Mattias Baerjed wrapped Pete Townshend riffs around Lundberg's vocals on "Transcendental Suicide" and "Mother One Track Mind," while drummer Fredrik Sandsten (amusingly clad as a football referee) thumped out a pure Charlie Watts heartbeat.
The 90-minute show's main focus was "Origin" highlights – its single, "Bigtime," was given a much-needed butt-kicking – but Lundberg sounded sharp when reaching back for "Instant Repeater '99" and "Sister Surround." What TSOOL showed again Monday was that it is an outstanding live act, simply because it does what so many other rock bands can't: squeeze and shake every ounce of energy from its songs without ever falling prey to sloppiness.
– Patrick Foster
hmmm whose post shall i edit :p
I was first!
Man, that damn ggw, must have beaten my by seconds. Go ahead, edit me, ggw added a link to the story (not like there's a photo or anything, though). :p
when i said edit it would be along the lines of changing all the reference from TSOOL to The Dears….
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:Ha! Kosmo, which Dears EP do you have? Is it "Thank You Good Night Sold Out"? I auditioned that on iTunes yesterday, and it sounded a lot more like how they performed live than their "No Cities Left" album.
when i said edit it would be along the lines of changing all the reference from TSOOL to The Dears….
I have two… At the show I got "Orchestral Pop Noir Romantique" which was one of the early Canadian releases.
The other is "Protest" which includes the song "Summer of Protest" which is what sparked interest in the band in the first place. It can be found at eMusic
Also got "No Cities Left" yesteday while buying up the rest of the store… It's on as I type
The other is "Protest" which includes the song "Summer of Protest" which is what sparked interest in the band in the first place. It can be found at eMusic
Also got "No Cities Left" yesteday while buying up the rest of the store… It's on as I type
I bought "No Cities Left" yesterday. Wish I had picked up "Orchestral Pop Noir Romantique" at the show. I thought the price way too expensive, so I passed. Didn't realize it was a Canadian import…