Grammy Schmammy….
I watched the 51st Grammy Awards late last night. It really was a cringe-worthy affair. I jotted down some random thoughts on proceedings with the intention of putting a post together today. But fuck it, here are those very thoughts instead…
The new U2 song is really really pants. And there’s no saving it live. In fact it’s probably even worse live than on record. Oh dear.
They could well have jumped the shark those four Northside boys. Surely Adam and Larry are getting embarassed at this stage?
Why bother giving Whitney Houston a standing ovation? Fuck her. Mad cow.
Jennifer Hudson looks like she had an accident involving a photocopier.
Why is Morgan Freeman begloved on his left hand only?
Kid Rock is a cock.
Does Samuel L Jackson ever get sick of being Samuel L Jackson?
Shame Guantanamo Bay is being decommissioned. They could’ve forced inmates to listen to Miley Cyrus murdering some song about being fifteen. Eardrum massacre.
The Jonas Brothers are no longer virgins. They just gang raped Stevie Wonder. Ill-advised Stevie, ill-advised.
Katy Perry is neither raunchy or particularly sexy it must be said.
Coldplay really do look silly in those outfits. Enough lads, enough already. Still the Grammy’s could well be the point where they stepped out of U2’s shadow and left them for dead.
Lil Wayne looks like he had an accident involving a typewriter.
I didn’t know Blink 182 had split up. Nor did I care.
Radiohead are still geniuses. Great performance. Shame it’s lost on the Grammy folk.
The Grammy people sure do love the Dullsville affair that is Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
The Kings of Leon look extremely bored.
Leona Lewis was born a man right?
Adele must be sick of that song. What’s it all about anyway? Chasing bleedin pavements.
Who is Justin Timberlake trying to kid sitting at that grand piano? C’mon JT, we’re not stupid.
Paul McCartney, fresh from selling out Buddy Holly, is really enjoying having his ass licked by Jack Black and Chris Martin.
Live and Dangerous…
In an otherwise excellent post Positive Boredom recently had a rant about certain band’s live reputations. He/She particularly refers to The Killers and the Kings of Leon, and states they don’t cut the mustard live. I beg to differ. I’ve seen both bands on a number of occasions (both at festivals and at smaller venues) and have never been let down. On the other hand I’ve seen Bob Dylan (someone praised for live performance in the post) and been seriously disappointed. Even a band capable of live brilliance are capable of the odd sub-par performance (nb Arcade Fire @ the Phoenix Park last Autumn).
Also mentioned in the rant are the Flaming Lips who, admittedly, put on a unique and brilliant live show. However, I feel, they punch well above their recorded weight. Their albums are sub-par but live they rock. In my own experience, particularly of bands/acts I’ve seen multiple gigs of, only Sigur Ros nailed it every time and raised the bar for themselves only to scale it significantly.
And it must be said that festival sets (particularly main stage ones) are often lower in standard than indoor gigs for a variety of reasons (time constraints and technical issues being the main factors). A band’s own tour is where they should be judged.
I was at The Killers gig on Wednesday night in The Academy. There were only a few hundred tickets and it was a real opportunity to see such a huge band in a small, intimate setting. And I really must say they didn’t disappoint. There wasn’t a dud song in their set-list (although the couple of new ones need repeat listening I’d say) and the energy and enthusiasm of the band (and particularly front man Brandon Flowers) were infectious. Their sound and playing were of an extremely high standard technically and the band really got stuck in to their performance. In fact I would wager that The Killers at times achieve higher standards live than on record. Their anthemic choruses are designed for the live setting with a willing crowd being brought along for the ride. I left the gig with adrenaline rushing and a real sense that I’d been present at something special. Miss Rocks has more on it here.
In relation to The Kings of Leon. I’ve seen them live 4 times and 3 of those 4 gigs were rockin. The RDS one last year wasn’t amazing but not necessarily disappointing. The venue wasn’t (and never is) up to scratch and the sound wasn’t top class. That said they are a great rock band who can play. Maybe not as anthemic as the Killers but they exude coolness and have a great presence. I did however catch their set from the V festival on TV last weekend and their lead singer Caleb Followill’s voice was shot to bits. There were vocal phrases from each verse that he just couldn’t reach. A once off I reckon as I’ve never had reason to doubt his voice when I’ve seen them here. Admittedly KoL don’t say a lot or prance around and there is much posturing and rockstar coolness but the music should speak for itself, and usually does.
Now I’m not suggesting that Positive Boredom should bow at the altar of these bands. I’m just stating that I feel they offer more live than he/she suggests. I also feel, in relation to KoL in particular, that they have a lot more to offer on record than the one song suggested (“On Call”). There really is more to their albums than singles and filler. And so what if they are poster boys signed to major labels? That’s surely not their fault. Music matters more.
And gigs by the likes of My Morning Jacket are better off being a well guarded secret by those in the know. Besides more intimate venues tend to suit that band’s style and sound.
