Every single day during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college I would drive down 270 screaming every word to The Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About on my way to and from work. Last night, I got to scream along to every word with 200 of TGUK’s closest friends and family.

That’s right, The Get Up Kids are back.  It seems time heals all wounds.  There was ridiculous banter between songs and everyone seemed happy to be there. Go watch Matt Pryor fumble a romantic memory of his marriage proposal into a story about about his “3 ass kids” just before “I’ll Catch You.” I wish I could find a recording of James Dewees quoting Highlander after Jim told him he looked like a dark lord from Dungeons and Dragons.

I don’t know that I’ve ever been to a concert where literally every person knew every word to the songs before. When Matt let the crowd sing to “Mass Pike,” I think it was louder than when he had the mic.  “Holiday,” “I’m a Loner Dottie…,” and “10 Minutes” probably got the biggest reactions from the crowd. It was insane for all of them.

The band seemed to appreciate that their fanbase had “finally broken the age barrier,” noting that now they tipped their bottles instead of forming circle pits during the anthems. I was a little unsure of how an older crowd would react to music so obviously written for (and by) teenagers, but the great thing about music is how it can immediately throw a listener back to a specific time or place. For last night, we were all ten years younger, remembering what it was like to sing every one of the words with conviction.

As far as the set goes, TGUK played straight through STWHA in its entirely, then played “Campfire Kansas,” “The One You Want,” “On the Roof,” “Mass Pike,” “No Love,” and “Walking on a Wire” for their encore. I would have enjoyed “Shorty” or “Don’t Hate Me” off of Four Minute Mile, but I won’t complain. I’ll just have to wait until Spring 2009 : ).

I had quite the scare this morning. I awoke at around 6am to the sound of my computer’s USB port doing that beeping noise it makes when it recognizes new hardware has been plugged in. I was moderately annoyed, mostly because it woke me up. However, when I actually got up for church, I found I had a nice error message on my iTunes. It informed me that my iPod’s harddrive could not be read from or written to. I then noticed that the clock on my iPod read 6:37, and it was in a frozen state. No buttons functioned at all.

I almost embarked on the long saga of how I returned my friend to a working condition, but I realize that would be boring (essentially you just need to charge it up via the wall adapter and restart iTunes a few times). On the other hand, this event did cause me to think. My iPod is probably my second most valued possession (behind my computer). Before you start railing on me claiming I have no sense of priorities, understand this: I walk to classes every day– and those walks are not short. We are talking at least forty minutes of my day is spent hiking around campus. If I were to lose my music for these trips, it would be devastating. Then comes the issue of price. I can’t afford to buy a new iPod right now, I could buy a new Bible (for some reason somebody always brings this up, when I claim non-spiritual things as being more valuable). So as far as replacement cost + utility goes, I’m reasonably sure that my iPod has been undervalued in my eyes for too long.

I had a wake up call today, and Mr. iPod, I’m sorry I have neglected you for so long. Sure, you may be really old, and have more scratches and dirt than I care to admit, but you have been a loyal friend for over three years. Other people might consistently make jokes about how clunky and colorless you are compared to your newer brothers and sisters, but I see the beauty that lies beneath. If you could hang in there for another fours months or so that would be fantastic!

P.S. Thank you Ryan Zimmerman for salvaging an otherwise terrible Opening Day in America for my fantasy team with your game winning home run.

I’m currently listening to: Bob Dylan - Lily, Rosemary, And The Jack Of Hearts

I have, for a while now, respected great storytelling. A band called The Weakerthans reminded me of this last week. I am always amazed when I listen to a song and hear well thought out ideas. If I could work such imagery into my stories, I would be grateful. To fit it within the bounds of a song is even more impressive. Without the prowess of John K Sampson (The Weakerthans), Craig Finn (The Hold Steady), or Joanna Newsom modern music would be much less interesting (and intelligent).

I feel that this entry would be incomplete if I did not mention my favorite narrative song. “Lily, Rosemary, And The Jack Of Hearts” was originally sung by Bob Dylan in 1975, and to this day, people on NPR still debate its actual meaning. Before I heard this song, I thought Dylan was cool. After I listened to this, I understood the hype.

The cabaret was empty now a sign said. “Closed for repair”
Lily had already taken all of the dye out of her hair
She was thinking about her father who she was rarely saw
Thinking about Rosemary and thinking about the law
But most of all she was thinking about the Jack of Hearts.

Bob Dylan

I’m afloat. A float in a summer parade, up the street in the town that you were born in. With a girl at the top wearing tulle, and a Miss Somewhere sash, waiving like the queen. Beauty’s just another word I’m never certain how to spell.

John K Sampson, The Weakerthans

the priest just kinda laughed. the deacon caught a draft. she crashed into the Easter mass, with her hair done up in broken glass. she was limbing left on a broken heel when she said “father, can I tell your congregation how a resurrection really feels?”

Craig Finn, The Hold Steady

or: a brief tour of my room…

Spoon Poster

Ryan Adams Poster

Rose Bowl Ticket

#9 Benn Jersey

Soon to be Employer

I’m currently listening to: At The Drive-In - Alpha Centauri

Ryan Adams is prolific.  If you don’t believe me, you can ask Pitchfork.   However, a more remarkable statement is that Ryan Adams is now clean.  No cigarettes, no drunken mess.  So what does that mean for his concerts?  Are the days where he fights with the sound guy then leaves the show early gone for good?  How will this effect his reputation for highly improvised sets?

All I have to say is that Ryan Adams still puts on a fantastic show.  He constantly talks– giving us insight about Diet Coke, the Illinois vs. Iowa rivalry (straight from the mouth of a frat boy at an Iowa kegger), quitting smoking, us being smarter for going to college, and his band.  There were numerous jokes about leaving the stage, or how retarded his guitarists dance party afterwards would be.  Adams also commented that if Maroon 5 were playing tonight, the place would have been sold out.  He then proceeded to impersonate that horrible falsetto voice and sing about breaking up and getting back together with a girl three times in one song (which is, in his mind, the template to all Maroon 5 songs).  At one point, Ryan had consumed a few too many Diet Cokes.  A more professional musician might have rushed through things, remaining on stage but less animated, then taken care of his needs later.  Fortunately, Ryan Adams doesn’t care.  As a result, the audience got to take a five minute break while Adams relieved himself and grabbed a Fresca… at least we knew he was coming back.  When he did return, he was still full of energy.

The music was everything that I had expected.  The Cardinals have proven to be a wonderful supporting band, and it is clear that Adams works with them much better than the revolving cast of musicians who have joined (and left) him on other albums.  Adams is giving his fellow musicians a lot longer leash, and he’s having fun doing it.  The dueling guitar improvisations, even with his older material, were fantastic.  However, Adams’ newer material really shined, gaining more power with its live rendition.  Overall, I wish that he had played “Come Pick Me Up” or “New York, New York,” but hey, Ryan Adams is still a jerk.  He just takes himself less seriously.