| Kris Roe (the Ataris) seen as he says "Forgotten Thanks is way sweet." Scot Ehrhardt and I, post awesome show at the old Void, are just along for the ride. |
| The*Ataris |
| Hailing out of Santa Barbara, CA, the Ataris are best described as a power pop/punk band, with a hint of emo, and occasional flourishes of hardcore. I have seen them four times, and never once have I been disappointed. Definitely worth seeing if you ever get the chance. One of the group's strongest assets is Kris Roe's lyrics, as they are readily relatable to anyone who has grown up wishing any aspect of his life was different. Nostalgic, emotionally accessible, and rich with images, Roe's words are worth listening to because they capture and effectively convey real experience.. The Ataris are also the most fan-driven band I have ever heard of. They worked their own merch table at Warped Tour, and sat around and hung out for over an hour with the forty people who saw them play in the hole-in-the-wall that is the old Void on short Vine in Cincinnati. For their current US tour, the band is letting their fans vote to select their setlist. I would recommend checking out "Lately," "Summer Wind Was Always Our Song," and "Your Boyfriend Sucks" if you are interested in hearing this band. Also, you ought to listen to their self-proclaimed 'Ataris Anthem' "San Dimas HS Football Rules" which I "almost" got to play with them at the Warped Tour (check stories). |
| ENTERTAINMENT |
| | The finest idle diversions this side of the Styx |
| Forgotten Thanks |
| If it sounds emo, it's because it is... |
| MUSIC entertainment home |
| Ben Folds |
| There is very little that I can write to do justice to Folds' music. All I can say is that he has a gift for songwriting that is something special, and direct you to examples. I recommend (with his old band, Ben Folds Five) "One Angry Dwarf and 100 Solemn Faces," Evaporated" (listen closely right after he sings the title), and from his solo work "Zak and Sara" and "The Luckiest." An example of his lyrics, from "The Luckiest"-- "What if I'd been born, fifty years before you, in a house, on a street where you lived. / Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike, / Would I know?" The brilliant thing about this bit is that throughout the song, he admits to fumbling for his words to describe this relationship, and here it seems he'd plagued again, trailing off and unable to complete the sentence. But the fact is, by not saying anything, he says everything: literally. By simply saying, "would I know?" he asks if this alternate self would know everything that would have existed between himself and this girl (as it does as he writes the song) if time didn't separate them? Folds plays the piano. |
| Michael Jackson |
| Dashboard Confessional |
| Jimmy Eat World |
| Much is said about Dashboard, now that he has become popular, therefore, I'm not going to labor over talking about his music, because I'm sure the teen magazined have described him this or that. I say "him" because although it is a band, it began as just Chris Carrabba (formerly of Further Seems Forever, another excellent group), and even with other instruments, Chris is still the driving force. His lyrics are certainly one-dimensional (embodies "emo") but they are written with care and remarkable insight. His poetry is nothing short of magnificent. Another fantastic live performer, if you don't know the words to all (or at least most) of his songs, don't go. Even as a solo act Carrabba titled his act "Dashboard Confessional" because he wanted it to be more than just himself: he wanted the audience to participate and be a part of the show. The shows are powerful though, because everyone DOES know the words (even now) and everyone DOES sing along. Last time I saw him, "Ender Will Save Us All," alone, was worth the cost of the ticket. Songs to check out: "The Brilliant Dance," "Ender Will Save Us All" (Summer's Kiss version), "Again I Go Unnoticed." Dashboard is acoustic-driven, emo rock. |
| Eva Cassidy |
| Eva Cassidy maybe be the most versatile vocalist ever. Having died young, as well as performing underappreciated styles of music, she is terrible unknown. Seriously, not familiarizing yourself with her is criminal. Cassidy performs covers, but generally songs she has arranged and put a personal stamp on. Playing guitar along with singing, she can sing jazz, blues, gospel, folk, even pop. (snicker, snicker) Get a taste of her with the songs "Over the Rainbow," "I Can Only Be Me," as well as "Imagine." |
| Say what you will about his personal life. Nothing can change the fact that he is one of the greatest performers in history, whose music (and dance) is among the most influential in our time. His fusion of funk, soul, disco and rock is unique, catchy and full of energy. Do I really need to make recommendations? Just go out and buy Bad, or Thriller, and you are set. |
| Jimmy Eat World hates being classified as emo, and rightfully so. Certainly the lyrics are great, candid, emotional. But the music is what really sets this band apart. Plenty of bands today can turn a good hook, and write a hit. But few so-called "artists" today manage to produce such a holistically expressive and artistic product as Jimmy Eat World. Every part of their recording contributes to a final product that says something. Although even a songwriter as talented as Carraba can make me marvel at his work, and make me feel something by listening, only at the end of a Jimmy Eat World album, do you feel like you've been somewhere with a band and are different for it. Their musicianship is impeccable, with every note thoughtfully placed. As much as I love the Ataris, I felt their newest album lost a little of the bounce and energy that made their previous power-pop offerings awesome, and I compared So Long, Astoria to a friend as "trying to be Jimmy Eat World. But who can pull that off?" You must listen to them to understand. Get Clarity. Get their self-titled. Get Static Prevails. If you don't trust me, check out "If You Don't Don't" or "Lucky Denver Mint" or "Table for Glasses." |
| U2 |
| Let's put it this way: two friends and I argue over which of us gets to be Bono (U2's front-man, for those who don't know...but should). These guys are straight rock, with lyrics ranging from love to social justice/awareness. You will tear up at "With or Without You." You'll feel a sense of loss and injustice after listening to "Sunday Bloody Sunday." These guys can't miss. (I am operating under the assumption there that "Stuck in a Moment" was not actually written by them, as I suspect. But maybe I'm just prejudiced against that one because of the cheesy video...the Edge... catching a football?) U2, along with Jimmy Eat World and Ben Folds, are, in my un-humble opinion, the three best musical acts still operating in earnest these days. Which brings me to: |
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| Ever since CDNow sold out, its been hard to find a good, reliable, easy source for music info. Well if you want to slog through the Amazon crap, here's that link: www.cdnow.com But I recommend if you're in search of band, album or track info. Here you are: Barnes and Noble (for Music) The best source of tour info I've stumbled across: Pollstar For punk rockers: InterPunk Finally, in case you hadn't figured it out, click the pictures in the sidebar if you want to go to the artists' sites. |
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| the Music page as it appeared up to July 20th is archived. Visit it here. |