little ever changes, if anything at all, just reminds ourselves how small we are
Hope you're all good. I haven't kept up with LJ very well lately.
Just got back yesterday from a little trip to Georgia to visit soultoad and see Toad the Wet Sprocket in Atlanta.
Thursday, I got to cuddle the most adorable puppy named Carmen while working a table at Save A Pet's fundraising event called Noodles For Poodles. Save A Pet raised an impressive amount of money, imho, too. So that's very cool.
Friday was one of the best Toad concerts ever. They sound as solid as they did in their so-called prime of the mid-90s. I hate the term "prime" though; it makes it sound like you only get one shot, you peak and then you're done. I don't think that's true for everyone, and it certainly does not apply to Toad. They might be heading into their second prime. The guys seem to be enjoying themselves more, and that comes through the music in ways that cannot be quantified.
Carbon Leaf opened, and they were amazing... vibrant with all their seemingly limitless energy. I only knew three of their songs, all of which they played: "Life Less Ordinary," "What About Everything?" and "Let Your Troubles Roll By." Once I balance my checkbook and figure out how my funds are, I definitely need to get at least one of their albums, though preferably all. However, I think perhaps their talents translate better in the live format, based on the studio tracks I have heard. For example, it's impossible for the studio recording of "Another Man's Woman" to stand up against their performance of it Friday night: all five guys standing in a semi-circle at the front of the stage, gathered around one microphone, as acoustic and stripped down as they could get. Watching Carbon Leaf perform, from the lead singer's restless antics to the lead guitarists quiet slipped-out smiles to the bass player's near-stoicism, is a treat. Their drummer especially impressed me - he makes a good lead-in for Toad, as his non-generic rhythms match Randy's, providing more layers to each song instead of just a boring, basic beat. Randy is still the king of that though. (Not that I'm biased.)
Anyway, we stood in the very front, against the stage. For Toad, we were directly in front of Todd, which was an exceptional view. :) Like I said, Toad were together in a noticeable way. Definitely a different - better different, much better - dynamic than the last time I saw them, two years ago. Even Dean remarked on it after the show, saying he thinks they currently sound the best they have in 10-15 years. I think so too. There was a synchronicity there that has been lacking for a while. Finally everything is clicking back into place. The trademark harmonies, the rolling drums and tumbling bass lines and crystalline guitar. Brilliant and still fresh after all these years.
My traitorous cell phone died on me (and I'd forgotten to pack my charger so had to pick up another) so I didn't get any photos. But Rosie did, and was nice enough to let me share them here. She has more pics, as well as some video of Todd singing "Inside," at her LJ.
Here's the setlist (Todd's... obviously):
Todd and his gorgeous Gretsch (*gimmehands*):
Randy hidden behind his set:
Glen (who, by the way, went barefoot like old times *g*):
Randy, Glen and a blurry Dean in the far right background:
Oh, and while we're having picture time, here's an awesome little door from the back of the Variety, about a third of the size of a normal door, leading out to the fire escape:
Back to Toad though: AMAZING. Did I mention that? 'Cause yeah. I cannot wait to hear the new record, hopefully out next year. If the two new songs they played are any indication, there will be some wonderful things to come from them. "Friendly Fire" (video of the song being performed in New York here) and "The Moment" (video from a different NY show here) both sound like classic Toad, yet not rehashed. It's like they've picked up right where they left off after Coil. If not better.
Yay, Toad is BACK! ♥
I was too nervous to talk to them afterward this time, but did get to shake Glen's hand as he left the stage and shake Dean's and mutter a "thank you" in the lobby after the show. Not that a "thank you" would ever sufficiently express what their music means to me. No words would.
Also, picked up their new record, All You Want, in which they reclaimed the rights to older songs by re-recording them. You can listen to some of the tracks and/or buy the album here. /pimping
Saturday, there was music and a fire outside and Rosie's boyfriend treating us to banana daiquiris and grilled pork, and I was totally wasted. Good times. Also got to love on the doggies and at least see the skittish kitties (Toby a bit less and at a greater distance than Leslie).
Other things:
• I've still not watched Friday's episode of Supernatural. If you spoil me, I will cut you.
• 9 Things The Rich Don't Want You To Know About Taxes.
• Duran Duran and Beth Ditto performing "Notorious" live. \m/
• New Jeffrey Foucault record in my mailbox today! Plus, Iron & Wine concert this Thursday!
• David Tennant is 40 and beautiful and adorable.
• Still obsessed with Noel Fielding and The Mighty Boosh. Come on, someone else be into this! If you're not familiar with the Boosh, try: Tundra or The Legend of Old Gregg. All you need to know is that there are two guys, named Howard and Vince, who live/work together along with a shaman called Naboo and a talking gorilla called Bollo. It's weird and silly and hilarious and gets better with each viewing. Maybe like, say, Flight of the Conchords on acid... if FOTC had more stuff like Albi the racist dragon... and if they all tumbled down the rabbit hole.
• And fandom collision: Mark Sheppard talking about Neil Gaiman's awareness of and, most importantly, love of Supernatural. *clappy hands*
Just got back yesterday from a little trip to Georgia to visit soultoad and see Toad the Wet Sprocket in Atlanta.
Thursday, I got to cuddle the most adorable puppy named Carmen while working a table at Save A Pet's fundraising event called Noodles For Poodles. Save A Pet raised an impressive amount of money, imho, too. So that's very cool.
Friday was one of the best Toad concerts ever. They sound as solid as they did in their so-called prime of the mid-90s. I hate the term "prime" though; it makes it sound like you only get one shot, you peak and then you're done. I don't think that's true for everyone, and it certainly does not apply to Toad. They might be heading into their second prime. The guys seem to be enjoying themselves more, and that comes through the music in ways that cannot be quantified.
Carbon Leaf opened, and they were amazing... vibrant with all their seemingly limitless energy. I only knew three of their songs, all of which they played: "Life Less Ordinary," "What About Everything?" and "Let Your Troubles Roll By." Once I balance my checkbook and figure out how my funds are, I definitely need to get at least one of their albums, though preferably all. However, I think perhaps their talents translate better in the live format, based on the studio tracks I have heard. For example, it's impossible for the studio recording of "Another Man's Woman" to stand up against their performance of it Friday night: all five guys standing in a semi-circle at the front of the stage, gathered around one microphone, as acoustic and stripped down as they could get. Watching Carbon Leaf perform, from the lead singer's restless antics to the lead guitarists quiet slipped-out smiles to the bass player's near-stoicism, is a treat. Their drummer especially impressed me - he makes a good lead-in for Toad, as his non-generic rhythms match Randy's, providing more layers to each song instead of just a boring, basic beat. Randy is still the king of that though. (Not that I'm biased.)
Anyway, we stood in the very front, against the stage. For Toad, we were directly in front of Todd, which was an exceptional view. :) Like I said, Toad were together in a noticeable way. Definitely a different - better different, much better - dynamic than the last time I saw them, two years ago. Even Dean remarked on it after the show, saying he thinks they currently sound the best they have in 10-15 years. I think so too. There was a synchronicity there that has been lacking for a while. Finally everything is clicking back into place. The trademark harmonies, the rolling drums and tumbling bass lines and crystalline guitar. Brilliant and still fresh after all these years.
My traitorous cell phone died on me (and I'd forgotten to pack my charger so had to pick up another) so I didn't get any photos. But Rosie did, and was nice enough to let me share them here. She has more pics, as well as some video of Todd singing "Inside," at her LJ.
Here's the setlist (Todd's... obviously):
Todd and his gorgeous Gretsch (*gimmehands*):
Randy hidden behind his set:
Glen (who, by the way, went barefoot like old times *g*):
Randy, Glen and a blurry Dean in the far right background:
Oh, and while we're having picture time, here's an awesome little door from the back of the Variety, about a third of the size of a normal door, leading out to the fire escape:
Back to Toad though: AMAZING. Did I mention that? 'Cause yeah. I cannot wait to hear the new record, hopefully out next year. If the two new songs they played are any indication, there will be some wonderful things to come from them. "Friendly Fire" (video of the song being performed in New York here) and "The Moment" (video from a different NY show here) both sound like classic Toad, yet not rehashed. It's like they've picked up right where they left off after Coil. If not better.
Yay, Toad is BACK! ♥
I was too nervous to talk to them afterward this time, but did get to shake Glen's hand as he left the stage and shake Dean's and mutter a "thank you" in the lobby after the show. Not that a "thank you" would ever sufficiently express what their music means to me. No words would.
Also, picked up their new record, All You Want, in which they reclaimed the rights to older songs by re-recording them. You can listen to some of the tracks and/or buy the album here. /pimping
Saturday, there was music and a fire outside and Rosie's boyfriend treating us to banana daiquiris and grilled pork, and I was totally wasted. Good times. Also got to love on the doggies and at least see the skittish kitties (Toby a bit less and at a greater distance than Leslie).
Other things:
• I've still not watched Friday's episode of Supernatural. If you spoil me, I will cut you.
• 9 Things The Rich Don't Want You To Know About Taxes.
• Duran Duran and Beth Ditto performing "Notorious" live. \m/
• New Jeffrey Foucault record in my mailbox today! Plus, Iron & Wine concert this Thursday!
• David Tennant is 40 and beautiful and adorable.
• Still obsessed with Noel Fielding and The Mighty Boosh. Come on, someone else be into this! If you're not familiar with the Boosh, try: Tundra or The Legend of Old Gregg. All you need to know is that there are two guys, named Howard and Vince, who live/work together along with a shaman called Naboo and a talking gorilla called Bollo. It's weird and silly and hilarious and gets better with each viewing. Maybe like, say, Flight of the Conchords on acid... if FOTC had more stuff like Albi the racist dragon... and if they all tumbled down the rabbit hole.
• And fandom collision: Mark Sheppard talking about Neil Gaiman's awareness of and, most importantly, love of Supernatural. *clappy hands*