I did just pay $20 to see them in the city. But now? Now they are playing in the town I have to drive to tomorrow morning for free. In a not so advertized show. OH! MY! GOD! And I have to work. A lot. But I could go to the show and work tomorrow. Or I can stay here and work. Which is the responsible thing. But they are playing outside so it won’t be so hot and there won’t be as many people. I hate trying to be responsible. It isn’t like I am getting any work done anyway. I am sitting here trying to decide if I should stay or if I should go!

Regardless, you can trek their bike progress here on their blog. Did I mention that they are doing a cross country tour on their bicycles? How cool are they?

p.s. There will be a review of their SF show shortly.

We are now an SBC internet household and we should have the pleasures of Luanchcast. But we can’t tell the program which songs we like, what artists we like, etc. That is, of course, unless we are logged on as the administrator. And we don’t play that way in this household. What gives SBC?

Last Wednesday Porter and I indulged in a little NIN. Only recently did I find out that she too was obsessed with Trent Reznor. The opening bands were alright. I don’t even know the first band’s name as they mumbled it at the end of their set. The second band was Queens of the Stone Age. But honestly, I was there for a little Nine Inch Nails. And it was awesome. He must have played the whole new album, but he certainly got in a few of my old favorites.

The crowd was such a mix of people. I couldn’t help but laugh at the people in front of me who were about 50 and only knew his new stuff. It was crazy. And to see people there who were probably my age with their children. And of course all of the goths roaming around. It was great.

This review isn’t as detailed as the WhiteStripes. Mostly because… well… these guys are superstars. And they have been playing this new set over a million concerts. They seemed more rehearsed and everything was more planned. But that didn’t make it a bad show, just less personal. Plus the venue was a little bigger. I feel like it was a good $45 spent. Thanks NIN.

I needed it. And I got it. And here is what I think:

1. When did he start sounding like U2? Particularly in “It’s Still Happening” featuring Hamilton Leithauser. I don’t know who this Hamilton person is, but look out Bono.
2. Many more vocals than The Attraction to All Things Uncertain (his first solo album, which is awesome and I will probably review that next…)
3. “Truth Is”, featuring Robert PlantSmith, fairly Nine Inch Nails in sound. Pretty good. (thank you RPF for the correction!)
4. I can hear a Tool inspired sound in the first few songs on the CD.

All in all, I really liked his first CD, The Attraction to All Things Uncertain. His sound on that album was genuinely original in my book. I bought it because of my obsession to NIN and because B (or the S&B) played it one night and I loved it. I half expected to hear some NIN, Marilyn Manson, Nothing Record sounding music, but there was no of it. Just this funky electronic goodness.

On the second album you can hear the featured artists’ contributions and I could also hear other musical influences (i.e. Tool, U2, etc.). This album is good, and it could be just me and weird attraction to the first album I hear from any given artist, but I love the electronic sounds and smooth vocals of TATATU.

I also purchased the soundtrack to American Magee’s Alice, which ia a first person shooter game that Chris Vrenna (a.k.a. tweaker) made. I have not had a chance to listen to all of it, but so far it is deliciously creepy and dark.