Warped Tour was wicked. Every year I go, I think, "I'm too old for this shit," but my Danny Glover mentality leaves me as soon as I get next to the stage. I mainly went for one band in particular (the others were an afterthought), and my dreams came true. Cue Alexisonfire pictures.
To summarize the Alexisonfire show, the first word that comes to mind is WIN. Chris the bassist appeared to be foaming at the mouth and generated so much power and hype that my mind was blown. Wade brought the heat, Jordan was on point, George was brilliant, and Dallas was beyond glorious (even better live than on record, if that's possible).
#2 Highlight: Less Than Jake. I wasn't a fan of their music until this show; they had moms crowd-surfing and an old couple making out on stage. They were hilarious, and they played well, too.
Lowlight: BrokeNCYDE was on the tour. End of story.
I'm not sure if I'll go to Warped next year (and I know I've said that before), but if I never go again, this was a way to end the streak. The sunburn, ringing ears and exhaustion was more than worth it.
This year, my heart is aflutter with excitement for all the delicious music that will be/has been released this month. Allow me to enlighten you in alphabetical order:
Alexisonfire - "Old Crows/Young Cardinals" The Dear Hunter - "Act III: Life and Death" *Dredg - "The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion" *Emery - "...In Shallow Seas We Sail" Killswitch Engage - "Killswitch Engage" The Mars Volta - "Octahedron" *I has it
Oh my GOD. You don't even know how much this makes me J in my P. And this is just the rock(ish) genre.
If Maynard was releasing something new this month, or if I found out that Daft Punk is playing at my house, the conclusion of June would probably make my heart and eardrums simultaneously explode with delight and satisfaction.
Two brief reviews, for those of you who value my musical expertise:
Dredg's "The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion" is more creative than their last fresh album (as in, not their "Live at the Fillmore"). Grittier bass, a little more electronic, a little more adventurous, with a few sexy instrumental tracks that are reminiscent of their older stuff. In general, it's uppity in pace and in tonality (especially compared to the "Leitmotif" era). The hooks are stronger, and the instrumentals have evolved in positive ways. The layered sound is here, but the melodies are unexpected. Highly recommended. Here's the single, complete with a random homemade YouTube picture slideshow.
The new Emery is still sinking in, in a good way. While nothing can touch the power of their debut "The Weak's End," this one comes damn close. It combines the creative compositions and boldness of their first album with the catchiness of their second. Compared to their previous release (which seemed to be all hook, some folk, and very little substance), "...In Shallow Seas We Sail" is leaps ahead. Emery has continued to evolve, yet they've managed to retrace their steps back to what they're best at (and what I love). Solid A in my book. Here's a taste.
Music trumps art, forever and ever. The. End. I'd make a career out of it if I didn't love it so much.
Now watch my lover Dallas Green and the other Alexisonfire boyz.
To summarize the Alexisonfire show, the first word that comes to mind is WIN. Chris the bassist appeared to be foaming at the mouth and generated so much power and hype that my mind was blown. Wade brought the heat, Jordan was on point, George was brilliant, and Dallas was beyond glorious (even better live than on record, if that's possible).
