Today's Date

I've been going to some show Two weeks ago I saw Titus Andronicus, last week I saw Adam Green, and last night I saw Hot Chip, with the xx opening. I very unfortunately missed the xx, as they apparently began performing promptly at 8pm. By the time I got the venue at 8:30 they were leaving the stage. Aw, shucks. Hot Chip lifted my spirits with a surprisingly solid live show. I've never seen them live, but the deluxe edition of Made in the Dark came with a DVD of a very underwhelming live show. The addition of a live drummer filled out the sound quite well, with the band focusing primarily on material from their latest two albums. Lead vocalist Alexis Taylor did some unnecessary Dylanesque reinterpretations of the band's best melodies, and the Rivera Theater's sound was a bit muddy, but damnit I came for fun and fun I had.

My one revelation: concert highlights "Over and Over" and "And I Was a Boy from School" made me remember that The Warning is awesome.

Titus Andronicus two weeks ago at the Bottom Lounge put on a great show, making the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" rock quite credibly. The band was rounded out by a piano and violin and some songs, which suited the Civil War shtick perfectly. They were much tighter than I expected, and sometimes overwhelming way that drums are mixed in most live settings suited their faster material better than the murky drum mixes from their albums. The most satisfying live show I've seen in a while. If you haven't yet, give The Monitor a listen.

As for Adam Green, he was less cracked out then when I saw him in the fall--not necessarily a good thing. The best moment of the show came early when, after the openers Dead Trees dissed Kansas City, I yelled out a request Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" in some sort of protest. The lead singer got through about a half a verse before giving up. A rousing success!