A few comments about Anaheim 3/9/08 show Options

[edstipe]

Hey everyone, I meant to post a longer review of the show, but I simply don't have the time/motivation to sit down and do all that. So, I thought I'd post a few observations/opinions about the show at The Grove of Anaheim that I attended on March 9.

I realize that some people are going to disagree with me on these things, and I welcome discussion, but please remember that these are simply my opinions.

a) The opening band -- Carney -- was fucking awesome. Seriously! I know it's kind of blasphemous to say, but the lead singer reminded me quite a bit of Jeff Buckley. Not just in appearance, but also in style and voice. That's a HUGE compliment, and one I don't take lightly, but I couldn't help having that thought when watching his performance. I've actually done some research on the band and especially the lead singer (Reeve Carney) since the show and learned that: 1) the guy is somewhat of a protege, having learned how to play piano before he could walk; 2) he recorded an album with Peter, Paul and Mary when he was 8 years old; 3) Michael Jackson asked him to sing a part in a track on his HIStory album; and 4) he played the part of a young Ethan Hawke in Snow Falling on Cedars. Oh, and they have a live album already out and a studio album coming out in August, I think. Anybody who didn't catch them should definitely check them out!

On to the LIVE show:

b) Chad Taylor is getting fat. I know that's a random observation, but he seriously looked like he is letting himself go. Then again, I hadn't seen the band for a few years, so maybe the suddenness of his weight gain isn't as dramatic as I thought...

c) The band just seems to be going through the motions now. As has been brought up often recently, the setlist was stale and the songs sounded exactly the same as they have the last 5 or 6 times I have seen them. Not getting Operation Spirit, Turn My Head, or ANYTHING that would be a "surprise" addition to the setlist was incredibly disappointing.

d) There were a FEW decent moments in the set. Ed bringing out his daughter(s)? during "Heaven" was cute, and "Waitress" was done pretty well. "Wings" was also a pretty good performance. But that's really it.

e) For the first time ever at a LIVE show, I didn't have the urge to sing along or even rock out. I just kind of stood along the back of the front section dumbfounded at how little emotion I felt during the show. It was a pretty sad experience, actually -- for the first time in my 13 LIVE shows, I thought that it might be my last. I don't know if that's going to be the case or not, but I know for sure that if they played another show next week or next month, I wouldn't be buying a ticket for it.


Anyhow, that's it. Just thought I'd share my experience with the rest of the board. If anyone has any specific questions or comments about the show, feel free to shoot them my way.