To be in nyc in 2011is to be the definition of battered brainless through one storm after another. And for music to not be its saving grace.
I missed show after show, hiding in my bed and eventually got so tired of writing about music I began to retreat completely.
Well, there wasn’t much to write about -just the usual gossip and some fair to middling music. Plus the good stuff, a friend of mine sent me the demo for his new album. Great stuff but it won’t be released for months..
The Decemberists had the succes estimate, though except for “January Hymn” I was a little lost than thrilled. Vanity Theft’s newbie sounds pretty good… but that’s a Feb album (or an October EP). Cold War Kids disappointed. Gang Of Four disappointed. Lael Neale and Mike Ogletree were excellent but not really 2011. Smith Western were a huge disappointment.
For me, a coupla live shows, Twin Tigers and the Queers were good enough to make the live show experience not a total disaster!!
So what was good?
Bright Eyes.
After sneering at Conor for two weeks, the album caught my ear and has maintained. For everything that irritates me about the album, there is much more I have grown to love?
And the Most fun? Hanging out with Mike Ogletree and Karen Anne in the middle of a snowstorm!!
Next month?
Lots of shows… especially excited about Robyn, Titus and Eliza Doolittle!!