Monday, April 20, 2009
The Spin T.I., Santigold and More: Rites of Spring Friday 4/17/09
Posted by The Spin on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 10:52 AM
See the slideshows for more photos: Santigold/Okkervil River; T.I./Q-Tip.
The Spin is going to blame a certain telecommunications monopoly for forcing us into a situation where we had to watch Blueskyreality, one of the worst bands we've ever seen. See, if said monopoly (rhymes with Dumb-Assed) hadn't interfered with our regularly scheduled viewing of Growing Up... on Animal Planet, we would have shown up on the Vandy campus on Friday night just in time to see the artists we actually wanted to see instead of showing up two hours early.
Catching locals Southerners Without Shirts (not their real name, sadly) and Blueskyreality (their real name, sadly) made it more than a little painful that we weren't at home watching fuzzy animals do cute, fuzzy animal things--watching douchey dudes do douchey dude things leaves a lot to be desired.
Southerners Without Shirts, who actually have the far worse name of "Run With Bulls," were only notable because their singer wasn't wearing a shirt while there were cops and teevee cameras present. Anybody that watches cable knows that Southerners without shirts in the presence of videographers and law enforcement will automatically end up in custody and TV coverage--which, in hindsight, might have been the plan cuz music that weak sure ain't gonna get the job done. But they were a lot better than Blueskyreality by a lot.
As a rule, there are a few things that should never leave a frontman's mouth while introducing a song, like, say, "We've never played this before," or "I hope this doesn't suck" or most especially "Third Eye Blind are, like, our favorite band ever." The first two we expect from entry-level New Face Night-type acts and we can write off as an amateur mistake, but the last one represents a character flaw so egregious it's unforgivable. It's one thing to like Third Eye Blind a lot (we don't understand why you would do that, but whatever), it's another thing to tell us about it right out the gate and ruin any hope we had for seeing you play even one decent song.
Seriously--Third Eye Blind? Were Dishwalla and The Verve Pipe too edgy for you? How does Third Eye Blind become anyone's favorite band? Is that what happens when you're too cool for Richard Marx but not cool enough for Semisonic? And how do come up with a band name worse than Third Eye Blind? How is that even possible?
Fortunately, the bludgeoning mediocrity was followed by K'naan, one of the most innovative artists on today's global music scene. The Somali-born rapper's blend of hip hop, Afro-folk/funk and, well, guitar pop was a perfect fit for a beautiful, sun-drenched afternoon. At first we were a little disappointed that he skipped the darker, more horrific songs from his album, but a whole lot of hope, optimism and sing-alongs is never a bad thing. Also, seeing a bunch of pasty-ass Vandy kids freakin' out to "This Is Africa" made us think that humanity might not be totally fucked--despite how hard Blueskyreality are trying to prove otherwise.
After a beer run (sorry, Okkervil River), we staked out a spot and got ready for some Santigold. Talk about a smile you could feel from 150 feet away--it was like she was beaming feel-good directly into our brain. Her set was badass and a lot of fun, which doesn't happen often enough. Santi dropped some Wu-Tang just for the hell of it, gave us the hits ("L.E.S. Artistes" and "Shove It" both killed extra hard) and had the crowd grinding like pepper mills. Is she the perfect woman? Maybe. Do we want to have her babies? Probably. Oh, and the sexy S-1Ws that flanked Santi on either side: awesome +1.
Q-Tip managed to make it through his set despite some incredibly awkward problems with the sound system--as in no sound at all, then sound again, then no sound at all. Eesh. By the time T.I. came out, Alumni Lawn was so jammed with cotton and flip-flops, and everyone worked up into such a froth, that ol' boy could have just spit and slurred through a sloppy, meandering, pointless set full of unnecessary talk breaks and monotonous jams, and everyone probably would have eaten that shit right up.
Comments (21)
Showing 1-21 of 21
Q-Tip completely owed T.I. that night. It was one of the better rap shows I've ever seen. Of course, all the Spin says about Q-Tip is that he had sound problems. Typical.
Oh please tell me again when you left to go get beer...
Pathetic!
like
dislike
You skipped out on one of the most barn burning sets I've seen by an indie band in a long long time to go on a fucking beer run? Really? Like your life is so miserable that you must drink incessantly to wash away your problems? Well, this time it cost you big time. I share the previous posters sentiment:
Pathetic
Your coverage of this event does not coincide with my personal tastes, which are objectively correct!
Pathetic!
This article is what is wrong with music. Some snobby music critic who is stuck in nashville making around 25k at best a year to write about music. Go fuck yourself and stop trying to act like you know what you are talking about. Part of being a critic is looking at things from an objective perspective. Tell everyone at Fox News I said hello.
Santigold was definitely awesome but not even covering the two best sets of the night is pretty shitty.
C'mon Third Eye Blind is a pretty sweet band. Their new CD coming in June will prove me right. Not fair to bunch them with a bunch of 90's acts that aren't around anymore.
these comments are lacking in originality and fervor. Attacking the obvious weakness of low-paying music critic job, and debriding the open wound of alcoholism.
Pathetic!
Point of the comment is don't take the anger of your life out on a band. The concept of an objective thought lacks in music. Opinions, opinions, opinions. Suck it.
"Part of being a critic is looking at things from an objective perspective."
Not really. I'd say being a good music writer requires empathy, but that doesn't necessarily require objectivity. To expect music writing or criticism to be devoid of opinion is downright silly. In my estimation, the only thing the writer really owes the reader is some sort of disclosure of his or her prejudices, either implicitly or explicitly.
Matt S. makes a good point- yes there is an undeniable part of the job description of being a music critic that calls for opinion. However my question is- isn't it also the job of a music critic to look at the band from a current and relevant perspective? Anyone who would rather be watching "cute fuzzy animals do animal things" is clearly not within Blueskyreality or the like band's demographic. Animal shows over watching a live band/any live band take the stage in a fun centered college atmosphere....really?
Blueskyreality no doubt is new to the road of touring which could account for some of the "amateur comments" but since when did it become about what the front man says instead of what it really should be about ...the music? I have seen this band(BSR) live many times and if everyone shared the opinion of this critic then obviously they wouldn't be where they are now. The music is fresh with a funky vibe and inspiring lyrics...haven't seen a drummer like theirs rock out in a long time.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion as a lover of music (as is anyone-so i encourage/challenge you to make an opinion on the bands for yourself) but to pass it off as an intelligent, current music critic's professional evaluation of these bands is a pathetic excuse for criticism. Bob Lefsetz would be ashamed as he calls for a return to a time...a better time, when music industry was simply about the music.
All I can say is that this was a lame review of music. Did you even talk about music? I'm no wiser or informed after reading this amateur blog. But how does liking third eye blind mean that you don't like semisonic. They were the shit but where are they now.?? Still swelling on completely irrelevant bands are we? I bet you
were still hung over when you wrote this.
Best of luck!
I just went and listened to that blue sky band and I must say, anyone above who is a fan of that group should be glad The Spinner did not delve further in to their musical stylings.
I will write my own review of the music since many seem upset the reviewer strayed:
Blueskyreality are a band on the rise. Out of L.A. comes this triumph of mediocrity and lyrical abomination. This band should be aborted. Each member will be given an ovarian mulligan and their present "reality" will never be spoken of again. Their guitars sound like so many others guitars sound like. Their drummer sounds like so many others sound like. But their bass player, he........well i guess he sounds like a lot of other bass players. The band seems to take most of it's lyrical inspiration from Hallmark cards and B-Sides of The Fray. Why anyone would sit through a song of this wretchedness is beyond this writer. I think it's time for them to write their autobiography now. "My Life In Gray: A Story of Musical Prowess and Personal Sacrifice".
- bryan
how is that, I feel like i touched on the music sufficiently eh? I tried to go song by song, but it made my scrotum painfully spasm.
think i could be a contributing writer?????
Sounds like you're more of a mid-west, frequently huffing, wanna be gangsta, hip hop brown nose than a music critic. Wouldn't doubt you're the type to go on a beer run during the delivery of your child, but I digress.
Chill in the double wide and step away from the computer.
Just fyi, self proclaimed anything doesn't make it true, dip shit. At least try to pretend to be well-informed about music before you waste people's time with your bullshit prose completely void of any real information at all. At least take the time to make you negative criticism original.
I guess the "Ernest Goes to Teach Music Critics School" online program with the diploma printed on ass wipe makes you feel smart. (fyi, I think you missed the punctuation class, check your work retard.)
Too many paint fumes for you brother.
We got some video reviews from audience members at this show, if anyone's interested:
http://youtellconcerts.com/?p=321
Good evening. How are you feeling. Help me! Please help find sites for: The travelers. I found only this - travelers rest nashville. Those manufacturers who are selling female pheromone perfume are not only helping women attract men but they are also helping men be more attentive, receptive and submissive to these women as well. Female pheromone perfume best pheromones blog. Best regards ;-), Sherry from Latvia.
Vote here for best Band of the Week
Slideshows
Top Commenters
