OT: Art, Music, Literature, Media, and More! Part 1

KJandHondo35 · Post #201 » by **KJandHondo35** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 5:22 pm

I can't stop listening to "Often" by The Weeknd, I just love saying "do this often". Pretty hyped for this whole album tbh.

Spoiler:

Also "Ballers" is amazing... Rob Corddry and and The Rock 8-)

But my favorite show right now is "Mr.Robot", you gotta check it out.

15th overall · Post #202 » by **15th overall** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 11:40 am

Been without regular internet access for about two weeks now (phone isn't smart, isht still flips). Couple of early morning thoughts on a sleepless, IPA-fueled Sunday morn in Baltimore:

--How is J Geils Band not WIDELY recognized as a better Boston band than Aerosmith? Did "Centerfold" do them in? Am I mistaken in believing that "Blow Your Face Out" is one of the better live albums ever recorded? (here it is in full btw)

Not from the same recording, but prob my favorite song by them and pretty much any version will do:

Spoiler:

---"Singles" is a fairly awful movie, but it's soundtrack may be the best non-Tarantino-related 90's OST. Tell me I'm wrong with evidence/recommendations... I will try to follow it up once back in The Best State.

---I haven't completely finished "Jurassic World" yet, but what a steaming pile that they've dropped on a great franchise. Slart did a nice job of summing it up a few pages back.

---Re: GZA--- seen The Wu twice live... once at Rock The Bells and once @ the Worcester Palladium. GZA didn't come to The Woo Show, so went and saw his solo act at Pearl Street in Northampton---- plenty of substances playing roles here, bunches of chemical reactions but IMO GZA's solo show was better than either Wu appearance. Could just be the intimate venue (Pearl St is highly recommended), but the Palladium's pretty quaint itself.

SuperDeluxe · Post #203 » by **SuperDeluxe** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:34 pm

The new Veruca Salt album is excellent, which was a surprise to me. It's not quite as good as "American Thighs" but better than anything that came after that.

I don't mind the new Wilco album either, but I enjoyed "Sukierae" (the album Jeff Tweedy recorded last year with his son) much more.

I feel the same way about Shelby Lynne's latest: "I Can't Imagine" is fine stuff, but "Revelation Road" (where she played every instrument and produced) was kickass and right up there with "Suit Yourself" as her best work.

truth18 · Post #204 » by **truth18** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:55 pm

15th overall wrote:
--How is J Geils Band not WIDELY recognized as a better Boston band than Aerosmith? Did "Centerfold" do them in? Am I mistaken in believing that "Blow Your Face Out" is one of the better live albums ever recorded? (here it is in full btw)

---Re: GZA--- seen The Wu twice live... once at Rock The Bells and once @ the Worcester Palladium. GZA didn't come to The Woo Show, so went and saw his solo act at Pearl Street in Northampton---- plenty of substances playing roles here, bunches of chemical reactions but IMO GZA's solo show was better than either Wu appearance. Could just be the intimate venue (Pearl St is highly recommended), but the Palladium's pretty quaint itself.

J Geils band is **** awesome. Even Centerfold, lol. I actually used to see Peter Wolf at least once a month in Cambridge, usually more. I never had the balls to introduce myself as he is always walking really quickly in a straight line to wherever he is going (he doesn't come across as a guy who you could walk up to, haha).

Ridiculously dressed guy, didn't matter whether it was freezing cold or 90+ degrees, the dude was always wearing the tightest leather pants with a tight black top and dark sunglasses. Rarely, he would have a hat on, but I imagine his closet is just full of those clothes lol. Never saw him wearing anything different.

Aerosmith sucks. J Geils should really be the "Boston Band". All Aerosmith have done is embarrass us time and time again. Plus, Steven Tyler is from NYC, haha. I actually used to run in to Joe Perry when he lived in Cambridge as well. Dude looked 70 years old. Was always buying 50 dollars cheese varieties in a local store.

Seen a bunch of Wu shows as well, most underwhelming. Chef/Ghost at Rock the Bells was amazing. Chef at the Middle East was easily one of the best shows I've ever been to.

SuperDeluxe wrote:The new Veruca Salt album is excellent, which was a surprise to me. It's not quite as good as "American Thighs" but better than anything that came after that.

That is a surprise. Most 90s reunions have led to garbage albums recently.

Interesting fact about Veruca Salt, Nicole Fiorentino, who briefly toured with the Smashing Pumpkins from 2011-13 (iirc), also toured with Veruca Salt from 2006-08. Why does any of this matter? She is from Ludlow, pretty cool local girl. I believe she currently records music with her wife in NE. Caught her pick at a Pumpkins show a while back.

KJandHondo: Mr. Robot is **** legit. Best show on TV right now if I'm being honest. Great rec, man.

True Detective needs to do something big in the next few episodes. Season has been mediocre as ****.

And speaking of 90s music, I am going to see the Pumpkins in Boston next week. Some foolish MC, Cage, and Marilyn Manson are the openers. I'm going to end up fighting someone (though people have been telling me MM is amazing live or something, we'll see. Not a fan of his music at all)

Green89 · Post #205 » by **Green89** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:06 pm

Very good 90s album:

CeltsfanSinceBirth · Post #206 » by **CeltsfanSinceBirth** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:47 pm

Anyone checking out The Brink with Tim Robbins and Jack Black? Pretty funny show thus far.

Cyclical · Post #207 » by **Cyclical** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:54 pm

15th overall wrote:--How is J Geils Band not WIDELY recognized as a better Boston band than Aerosmith? Did "Centerfold" do them in? Am I mistaken in believing that "Blow Your Face Out" is one of the better live albums ever recorded? (here it is in full btw)

Not from the same recording, but prob my favorite song by them and pretty much any version will do:

Spoiler:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgoKlB5TZtE[/youtube]

Absolutely. And while we're at it, The Cars. My favorite Boston band. Used to see Peter Wolf and Rick Ocasek around town every now and then as a child growing up in the 80's. The music still holds up. Fun, smart, rockin.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTtJqaVnAeU[/youtube]

Pacino62 · Post #208 » by **Pacino62** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:52 am

Ray Frigging Donavan!!!

Writebloc · Post #209 » by **Writebloc** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:45 am

I went to the Newport Folk Festival this past weekend, very talented individuals across multiple stages. A great outdoor venue, right on the water huge beautiful sailboats coasting by. Got a hell of a sunburn.

Three groups I saw a complete set from were: James Taylor, a secret surprise guest, he had some technical difficulties but his voice was pure. It was fitting as my old man, rest his soul, was a huge JT fan. "I've seen fire and I've seen rain" is some poetic noise.

Sufjan Stevens played a sick set. He was mixing in the EDM, kept the Fort jumping. His voice is hypnotic. Briefly checked out Brandy Carlise, she had some pipes. She blew the Quad stage away.

Finally, The Decemberists were the headliners. I hadn't heard much by them in the past, but they rocked live. The finale was "This Land is my Land," total folk classic. Bela Fleck came out and picked a banjo solo. Awesome ending, especially for the 50 year anniversary of Bob Dylan plugging in his amp.

Also on Mr. Robot, strange show, but very good.

Love that song by the Weeknd - "I can't feel my face when I'm with you." Reminds me of a younger period of my life.

KJandHondo35 · Post #210 » by **KJandHondo35** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:20 pm

Writebloc wrote:I went to the Newport Folk Festival this past weekend, very talented individuals across multiple stages. A great outdoor venue, right on the water huge beautiful sailboats coasting by. Got a hell of a sunburn.

Three groups I saw a complete set from were: James Taylor, a secret surprise guest, he had some technical difficulties but his voice was pure. It was fitting as my old man, rest his soul, was a huge JT fan. "I've seen fire and I've seen rain" is some poetic noise.

Sufjan Stevens played a sick set. He was mixing in the EDM, kept the Fort jumping. His voice is hypnotic. Briefly checked out Brandy Carlise, she had some pipes. She blew the Quad stage away.

Finally, The Decemberists were the headliners. I hadn't heard much by them in the past, but they rocked live. The finale was "This Land is my Land," total folk classic. Bela Fleck came out and picked a banjo solo. Awesome ending, especially for the 50 year anniversary of Bob Dylan plugging in his amp.

Also on Mr. Robot, strange show, but very good.

Love that song by the Weeknd - "I can't feel my face when I'm with you." Reminds me of a younger period of my life.

Saw JT on July 4th at Tanglewood (Lenox, MA aka far west) as we do every year, such a good live performer. That's quite an awesome lineup at Newport, pretty bummed I missed that.

Writebloc · Post #211 » by **Writebloc** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:24 pm

^^I've gone to the Jazz fest many years but this was my first Folk fest. Always a great time. Been meaning to hit Tanglewood, aside from the fourth any suggestions?

KJandHondo35 · Post #212 » by **KJandHondo35** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 3:05 pm

Writebloc wrote:^^I've gone to the Jazz fest many years but this was my first Folk fest. Always a great time. Been meaning to hit Tanglewood, aside from the fourth any suggestions?

Well the Boston Pops (Aug 21) at Tanglewood is always a good time, all their concerts are BYOB so you can bring like a cooler/wagon stocked with whatever you like (food, booze, folding tables... it's all good to go). This year I guess they are playing with some Cirque de la people so that’s interesting, then the next day (Aug 22) John Williams is conducting the Pops Orchestra to do his film music. In between on and the end of August there's mostly a lot of Classical Mozart, Beethoven by various performers and usually to start the season (mid June) they have a more contemporary artist, this year was Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, previous years they had people like Bearnaked ladies, Wilco, Jackson Brown…

But yeah, you have to see at least 1 concert there someday, it’s super tranquil and the ability to openly picnic on the lawn is rare if not unique to Tangle.

greenroom31 · Post #213 » by **greenroom31** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:43 pm

Say what you will about Miley Cyrus (I don't know much) but she can sing:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiqcNNixgM[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93CZ6oFR8Q0[/youtube]

Green89 · Post #214 » by **Green89** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:23 am

Writebloc wrote:^^I've gone to the Jazz fest many years but this was my first Folk fest. Always a great time. Been meaning to hit Tanglewood, aside from the fourth any suggestions?

Jazz fest is this weekend, right? How was traffic for the folk festival?

Writebloc · Post #215 » by **Writebloc** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:33 am

Green89 wrote:
Writebloc wrote:^^I've gone to the Jazz fest many years but this was my first Folk fest. Always a great time. Been meaning to hit Tanglewood, aside from the fourth any suggestions?

Jazz fest is this weekend, right? How was traffic for the folk festival?

Jazz fest is this weekend. Traffic wasn't horrible on the way in, but getting out of the parking lot was a **** show...

Captain_Caveman · Post #216 » by **Captain_Caveman** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:34 am

+1 on Peter Wolf. Not approachable at all. Looks shy and kind of strung out.

Another guy I used to see everywhere was Black Francis. He is a weird, weird cat. Love his music, though. Probably my favorite Boston band, at least.

Spoiler:

As to J. Geils vs Aerosmith... well, first, my mom took me to see J. Geils at Storyville in Kenmore when I was a baby. More people on in the band than in the crowd. More to the point, yeah... underrated, but as much as I would like to toss post-1977 Aerosmith into the sea, it doesn't change the fact that Early Aerosmith is all-time great rock and roll. Not my favorite band or anything, but they were grimy as **** and had higher heights than any other Boston band, IMO.

Like this...

Spoiler:

Captain_Caveman · Post #217 » by **Captain_Caveman** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:48 am

truth18 wrote:Anyone listen to the Brian Jonestown Massacre? Been listening to Take it from the Man again recently and it's as good as ever. Especially "B.S.A" and "Cabin Fever".

Reluctant to admit that they might be my favorite band. Well... maybe the Stones, but BJM's catalog is incredible and deep. When that movie came out, I downloaded all of it, and got to say, you could do a double album's worth of greatest hits that could hang with all but a very few in rock history. Even limited to stuff that came out after DiG!, you can come up with a good 15-20 songs that would blow away all but a few rock bands over the last 20 years or so. Saw them in Vancouver in 2006 and they blew the doors off the place.

Guy is still releasing the occasional gem even today, like this one.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsd9-mqb0R4[/youtube]

truth18 · Post #218 » by **truth18** » Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:11 pm

Marilyn Manson was weird. Satanic Nazi 80s pop music would probably be the most apt description. His fans were pretty funny. Lots of attractive goth girls. Didn't know any of the songs other than Beautiful people.

Pumpkins rocked it as usual. Amazing show from them.

jmr07019 · Post #219 » by **jmr07019** » Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:39 pm

Writebloc wrote:I went to the Newport Folk Festival this past weekend, very talented individuals across multiple stages. A great outdoor venue, right on the water huge beautiful sailboats coasting by. Got a hell of a sunburn.

Three groups I saw a complete set from were: James Taylor, a secret surprise guest, he had some technical difficulties but his voice was pure. It was fitting as my old man, rest his soul, was a huge JT fan. "I've seen fire and I've seen rain" is some poetic noise.

Sufjan Stevens played a sick set. He was mixing in the EDM, kept the Fort jumping. His voice is hypnotic. Briefly checked out Brandy Carlise, she had some pipes. She blew the Quad stage away.

Finally, The Decemberists were the headliners. I hadn't heard much by them in the past, but they rocked live. The finale was "This Land is my Land," total folk classic. Bela Fleck came out and picked a banjo solo. Awesome ending, especially for the 50 year anniversary of Bob Dylan plugging in his amp.

Also on Mr. Robot, strange show, but very good.

Love that song by the Weeknd - "I can't feel my face when I'm with you." Reminds me of a younger period of my life.

Bela Fleck RIPS. never saw him live, jealous you got to

jmr07019 · Post #220 » by **jmr07019** » Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:55 pm

RJD2 is playing Boston Thursday night, dude is a legend, absolutely worth checking out if you have never seen him.

Let's talk venues. What is everybody's opinion on the different places:

HOB - great infrastructure and it's always fun when performers make use of the disco ball. Almost every concert I've been to at HOB, there is an extremely long line to get in. In excusable for a concert venue. I've had friends miss the whole first set of a show because of this. I also find there employees to be a bit rude

Paradise - really cool to see your favorite acts so close and in an intimate setting. They sell waaaaay too many tix and the place is always over crowded

Middle East - don't go here as often but a solid little venue

Brighton Music Hall - good spot

The Sinclair - favorite venue in the Boston area

Blue hills Pavillion (formerly B of A Pavillion) - an outdoor venue that doesn't allow smoking? won't understand that one. Had a bitch of a time trying to smoke an L in there. Their shows start at 7 which really sucks when you live in Worcester and work till 5. And it's all seats and no dance floor. not really a fan of this places but I will say the giant tent makes the light shows better.

The Spot Underground (Providence)- loved the old location but the new one is even better. The bartenders are always SMOKIN hot and the staff is really chill. They also have LED's in the floor which is awesome. Surprised more places don't do that.

State Theatre (Portland, ME) - great place to see a show and Portland is a nice city to visit. hotel's are usually reasonable around there and it seems safer than most cities. have had some fuuun nights raging in Portland

Electric Haze (Worcester) - they book really good acts for such a small place.