The Indie Thread

[MoreInSorrow]

Sufjan last night was amazing. I'm just waking up, and can't put together a cohesive thought, so I'll contribute more later.

 

[blackwasp]

Sufjan last night was amazing. I'm just waking up, and can't put together a cohesive thought, so I'll contribute more later.

Yeah, it was pretty wild. The cheers were great, and the harmonies were impressive as well. I didn't realize until last night that the trumpet is pretty much the lead instrument. It sounded great last night, except for a few sour notes. I was bummed to no end that Sufjan didn't play "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." though. I'm wondering why he's been passing on that tune live. After a night of Sufjan though, Chase and I had to rock out to Nirvana and Modest Mouse on the way back to campus.

 

[MoreInSorrow]

Yeah, it was pretty wild. The cheers were great, and the harmonies were impressive as well. I didn't realize until last night that the trumpet is pretty much the lead instrument. It sounded great last night, except for a few sour notes. I was bummed to no end that Sufjan didn't play "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." though. I'm wondering why he's been passing on that tune live. After a night of Sufjan though, Chase and I had to rock out to Nirvana and Modest Mouse on the way back to campus.

Jacob, where were you guys standing for the show? I looked for you, but I realized after getting there that without a pic, it was damn near impossible to find you in that crowd. I was standing in front of the soundboard all night.

The show was amazing. I was bummed about the lack of playing JWG as well. But they were spot-on musically, and sounded great. Those cheers cracked me up. "Hey guys, a little more spirit this time, ok?" Awesome. That was definately one of my favorite shows.

 

[blackwasp]

Jacob, where were you guys standing for the show? I looked for you, but I realized after getting there that without a pic, it was damn near impossible to find you in that crowd. I was standing in front of the soundboard all night.

The show was amazing. I was bummed about the lack of playing JWG as well. But they were spot-on musically, and sounded great. Those cheers cracked me up. "Hey guys, a little more spirit this time, ok?" Awesome. That was definately one of my favorite shows.

We were towards the back right (as you face the stage). We about had to throw some 'bows due to all of the late comers squeezing in front of us.

And yeah, I agree. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen.

 

[cjedick]

Yeah, it was pretty wild. The cheers were great, and the harmonies were impressive as well. I didn't realize until last night that the trumpet is pretty much the lead instrument. It sounded great last night, except for a few sour notes. I was bummed to no end that Sufjan didn't play "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." though. I'm wondering why he's been passing on that tune live. After a night of Sufjan though, Chase and I had to rock out to Nirvana and Modest Mouse on the way back to campus.

Excellent show. The vocals were tight!

MMMMMMmmmmm Nirvana and Modest Moussssssssssse.

 

[philN]

I was bummed, but I can understand why he would not play John Wayne Gacy, Jr. Because the song doesn't really have much of a resolution lyrically, it would definitely bring a gloomy tone to an otherwise pretty upbeat set of songs. Part of me wanted him to play it at the end, and another part of me was happy when he played a more upbeat song like The Man From Metropolis instead.

One of my friends at Moody's roommate went to that show and said it was amazing. Did he play an encore material? He played "Happy Birthday" (and I was surprised he was still playing A Sun Came era stuff live) and "The Trees In the Field..." when he played in Boston.

I just order a tour poster and the Michigan t-shirt from Asthmatic Kitty, both of which should arrive on Monday or Tuesday. I picked up an Illinoise shirt at the show I went to (if he makes a shirt for each state as well as an album, I think that would be a really cool collector item too).

 

[theFijian]

While I hate to break up this Sufjan love-in (sycophants!) if anyone wants to listen to the new Sigur Ros album, the BBC have it available here.

 

[cjedick]

(if he makes a shirt for each state as well as an album, I think that would be a really cool collector item too).

I bet he thought the same thing too, Phil. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[blackwasp]

I was bummed, but I can understand why he would not play John Wayne Gacy, Jr. Because the song doesn't really have much of a resolution lyrically, it would definitely bring a gloomy tone to an otherwise pretty upbeat set of songs. Part of me wanted him to play it at the end, and another part of me was happy when he played a more upbeat song like The Man From Metropolis instead.

One of my friends at Moody's roommate went to that show and said it was amazing. Did he play an encore material? He played "Happy Birthday" (and I was surprised he was still playing A Sun Came era stuff live) and "The Trees In the Field..." when he played in Boston.

I just order a tour poster and the Michigan t-shirt from Asthmatic Kitty, both of which should arrive on Monday or Tuesday. I picked up an Illinoise shirt at the show I went to (if he makes a shirt for each state as well as an album, I think that would be a really cool collector item too).

Yeah, his first encore was "All the Trees of the Field...", and of course ending the night with "Chicago". I intended to buy a shirt, but we were in a hurry to get out. I'm sure I'll get one eventually.

As far as "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.", Chase thought that he probably passed on it b/c it's somewhat of a darker tune, even though I think the last line in that song rivals any lyric Sufjan has written.

 

[blackwasp]

if anyone wants to listen to the new Sigur Ros album, the BBC have it available here.

I still haven't received it in the mail yet. I think I'm going to wait, even though I'm antsy. Thanks for the link though.

 

[MoreInSorrow]

As far as "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.", Chase thought that he probably passed on it b/c it's somewhat of a darker tune, even though I think the last line in that song rivals any lyric Sufjan has written.

I agree, on both counts.

 

[cjedick]

I agree, on both counts.

That tune is definitely Sufjan's best work, at least from all that I've heard.

 

[philN]

I don't know about that. I think it's a powerful song, but I was pretty moved by much of his Seven Swans album and I think the lyrics and vocals on Casmir Pulaski Day are just as well done. I just think there is an inherent eerieness to any song that objectively deals with something as disturbing as a man who raped little boys and buried their rotting corpses in the floorboards of his home and that's what makes that song stand out more than others.

 

[blackwasp]

I don't know about that. I think it's a powerful song, but I was pretty moved by much of his Seven Swans album and I think the lyrics and vocals on Casmir Pulaski Day are just as well done. I just think there is an inherent eerieness to any song that objectively deals with something as disturbing as a man who raped little boys and buried their rotting corpses in the floorboards of his home and that's what makes that song stand out more than others.

Meh. I think there's a lot to that song. Other than the story behind it, the guitar part and falsettos are haunting. I'm not trying to sell him short though...I do agree that Seven Swans has many brilliant moments, and I certainly agree that "Casimir Pulaski Day" is one of his best (second best IMO), particularly the line, "Tuesday night at the bible study, we lift our hands and pray over your body, but nothing ever happens".

 

[JaelWasWickedCool]

i might go see sufjan this upcoming friday in nashville. here's hoping..

 

[theFijian]

I still haven't received it in the mail yet. I think I'm going to wait, even though I'm antsy. Thanks for the link though.

I've been fiscally restricted of late so I'm going to stick with the free streaming for just now

Editted to add: It's pretty goood too!

 

[eutychus]

I don't know about that. I think it's a powerful song, but I was pretty moved by much of his Seven Swans album and I think the lyrics and vocals on Casmir Pulaski Day are just as well done. I just think there is an inherent eerieness to any song that objectively deals with something as disturbing as a man who raped little boys and buried their rotting corpses in the floorboards of his home and that's what makes that song stand out more than others.

Good point, but I think I thought the song was beautiful before I even tried to listen to the lyrics, as the music (as stated above) is pretty hauntingly dreamy in itself. Still though, I think you're right; the provocative content is a large part of the song's attractiveness.

While I hate to break up this Sufjan love-in (sycophants!) if anyone wants to listen to the new Sigur Ros album, the BBC have it available here.

Is it no longer streaming at MySpace?

i might go see sufjan this upcoming friday in nashville. here's hoping..

Yeah, I was thinking of making the trip to see him there (I saw him last Wednesday as well), but unfortunately I have another appointment that night.

 

[MoreInSorrow]

While I hate to break up this Sufjan love-in (sycophants!) if anyone wants to listen to the new Sigur Ros album, the BBC have it available here.

Listening now. This is really good.

 

[theFijian]

Is it no longer streaming at MySpace?

Yes, but don't you find the player quite annoying? Mind you there's also loads of cool stuff to download on their website

 

[The Theory]

am i the only one not totally infatuated with that John Wayne Gacy Jr song?

I was quite relieved he didn't play that live.

When I saw him I wanted to shout out a request for "Year of the Boar" but didn't want to sound like an ass. Maybe on the 29th when he comes to my hometown.