Concert Goodness!!

I have been a real slacker lately. My posts on this blog have been few and far between, not good. Especially when I am such a spoiled boy. Earlier this month in May, I attended two outstanding concerts in the same week that in my opinion (yes, my opinion means something, this is my blog), were the greatest pairs of shows I have ever been to. Period. Dare I say better than a U2 concert? Gasp! Possibly.

Concert #1

May 2, first show of the week. A friend and I went up to Salt Lake City to go to the venue early. Mogwai, easily one of my favorite post-rock bands were to play at The Depot. If you know nothing of this band let me tell you this: if you want to hear some serious guitar, I mean the kind of guitar that shakes your very soul, listen to this band. The sad thing is that to hear one of their albums through even a good pair of earphones does not even come close to doing this band justice. This music is MEANT to be heard live.

It has been a couple of weeks since the concert, I have had a hard time remembering the set list, so I'll do my best and only mention songs I felt were the best of the best. Don't get me wrong though, the entire show from beginning to end was outstanding.

The show kicked off with Glasgow Mega-Snake found on the new Mr. Beast album. This album has received a lot of grief when it came out. Critics referred to it as a shortened version of the capabilities of Mogwai. That Mogwai stunted their growth. The album is only 43 minutes long, their shortest by far. But you see, Mogwai proves a point with the songs found on this album. I had no idea that Glasgow Mega-Snake was meant to sound like that. Ear-splitting guitar combined with bass and pounding drums. Amazing. Short song, yes. But who else can combine that kind of power in such a short time? Point proven.

Mogwai continued to play songs from Mr. Beast. All sounded unbelievable. I cannot underestimate this enough. Sound for Mogwai is what makes the concert so enjoyable. It’s the lifeblood of the show. Without it, Mogwai sounds like any other band. See there is loud, louder and loudest but Mogwai takes loudest and do it in a way that isn't meant to be annoying but it honestly sounds good. Sure other bands might be just as loud but Mogwai combines loud and power in such a way that simply cannot be explained. You WANT it to be loud.

The song that stood out to me was without any question. New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1. This was without a doubt one of the best live songs I have heard, ever. The guitars and drums slowly came together at the end to form one of the loudest, ear-piercing, beautiful songs that I have ever heard. It was as close to a musical religious experience that I think I will ever get to. Towards the end of the song, there is a part where the music quiets down and the guitars come back pounding. I was anticipating this part. The music quieted down and the guitars screamed back. It shook my body and literally scared me. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. I honestly yelled out loud, but no one could here my muffled cry though over the unseemingly loud music. I felt as if I was going to fall over.

That is exactly what Mogwai wants to have happen. They want their toys to bring you to your knees. They want the sound to penetrate through your body into your soul. I know that sounds crazy but if you were there, you would understand. They could have ended the show there but they quickly followed up with Mogwai Fear Satan. Another great song. There were a couple of times during this song that both my friend and I looked over at each other at exactly the same time and smiled. We both knew we were witnessing something special.

The show ended too soon. Two hours passes by quickly. It took at least 24 hours before the ringing left my ears and my hearing returned to normal. I will never listen to another Mogwai album the same ever again.

Concert #2

Sigur Ros. Period.

Sometimes that is all that needs to be said. Quite honestly, I cannot think of another band who's music has compltely changed the way in which I listen to music. Sure, some may call their music obscure and hard to listen to. Admittedly, I couldn't stand them the first time I listened to them. However, after multiple listens I began to appreciate the hidden talents of Sigur Ros.

For those who do not know, Sigur Ros (and Mogwai for that matter) are part of a genre of music that I have really enjoyed listening to lately called Post-Rock. This genre uses atmoshperic sounds, instruments and voices to create music that will almost likely reshape the way in which most people listen to music (for those of us who take the time to listen anyway). Mogwai, mostly concentrate on loud guitars and deep, brooding bass. Sigur Ros on the other hand, are on the opposite side of the spectrum. By using violins, drums, guitars (by the way, the lead guitarist plays with a violin bow. I know, it blew my mind too.), horns, etc, etc. A Sigur Ros track is simply amazing. This band has easily become one of my favorites within the past few years. No wonder, I was over estatic when I learned this Icelandic horde was coming to the far reaches of the world to the like of Salt Lake City.

I was somewhat curious to see what types of people would show up to a show like this and needless to say, I was suprsied. I found people of all ages, from early twenties to, honestly, a couple who looked to be in their mid-60's. The crowd made the experience that much more enjoyable. No one acting like a fool, tossing around their body, shouting idiotic phrases, or causing any distractions. This is the kind of music you listen to after a long day, slipping on headphones and lying on the couch. The concert, which I am gald to comment, was no different (except for the couch.....and the earphones......oh, and lying down...). Everyone was respectful and only wanted to sit back and enjoy the show so the music could be heard in its purest form; without any interuptions.

I only wish that I would have written this review a lot sooner. Seeing as how it has been a couple of months, I've forgotten the set list and other specifics that I wanted to mention. So I'll keep it short and say this: Sigur Ros was one of the greatest sounding concerts I have ever been to. The crowning moment of the show was the ending song, Hafsol, a track redone from Sigur Ros' first album Von.

The song opens with the lead guitarist/singer rythmically pounding his guitar with what looks like to be a drumstick. The crux of the song is an explosion of sound; drums, violins, horns, and singing all intertwine into one to form a sound that is uttelry hard to describe. Towards the end of the song, the lead guitarist is soley hitting his guitar with a violin bow in constant rythm with a drum and flute. It may sound crazy but it was far above amazing.

Bottom line, in reference to an old adage: "You have to hear it, to believe it." Sigur Ros has definite talent and that talent shines through in their shows. Only complaint is that it ended way toon soon.