The Year in Rock 2006...and beyond
Album reviews, shows, and fun stories.
January 8, 2006: NOW I KNOOOOOOOOOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKIN'
...I like my Kaiser Chiefs . And the only real way to describe this 1997 Hives cd (Barely Legal) is, um. Swayze's punk night.

January 25, 2006: Babyshambles
Down in Albion (2005)

I just got this 30 minutes ago, so here's what I spit out based on skipping around:
It begins like a toned down version of the Libertines meets Franz Ferdinand bass action and a bit of go go, if you'd like to call it that. Something that hints to a retro tune. Later on, there's notes of reggae specifically on "Pentonville" (which I believe is some random old rastafarian man reciting poetically over someone's guitar), "What Katy Did Next", and "Sticks and Stones", the last two shines through with help of producer Mick Jones of Clash fame. Pete's vocals on the tracks could pass for Joe Strummer if Joe and Bob Marley had a mutant child.
"Fuck Forever" had a cleaner, smoother sound than the version I'd slapped on my Myspace last week. It didn't have those demo tweaks to it. I like this version better. "Killamangiro" has a good steady beat, contrasting with his drawling, laidback singing. Mind you, it's not as bad as it sounds. He's merely explaining how a man got killed for his giro, or something. "Merry Go Round" is quite pleasant, I feel like I'm in a gondola in a Monet painting or having a picnic-slash-tea party on the side of the Thames.
While slowpaced for my usual tastes, it's an album I can play quite often. While stumbling for pics, I found out that Pete isn't even as old as I thought he was. I thought he'd be pushing 30 but he's only 2 years older than you. The effect that drugs'll have on ya.
His at the time girlfriend Kate Moss sounded lovely as a background singer in various songs. Who knows where she's gonna go with that. Songs I enjoyed most: "La Belle Et La Bete," "The 32nd of December," "8 Dead Boys," "Back from the Dead," "Loyalty Song." The common factor was a happy, bouncy, bass-heavy beat and that makes me give this album an A-.

February 10, 2006: ~~~*Last Nite*~~~

I went to crash with Heidi at her friend Christa's dorm in Tampa on Wednesday night. We left early the next day to go to Club TSI in Jacksonville to catch The Heart Attacks and Beat Beat Beat. We got there kinda early, and just drank and talked with the bartender for a bit. Finally all the boys came, and I was already tipsy, making a fool of myself, asking who remembered me while offering valentine's lollipops. I got pretty drunk and talked about stuff nobody cared about and danced like a retard.
March 12, 2006: Twenty Twos, The Vacation, Living Things
Tonight I went with Lynda to the Vinyl to see the Living Things. The Twenty Twos opened up for them. Lynda and I agreed that they were pretty good for a mostly-girl band. We told them so and Hannah had us say it on video. Except I sat there looking blankly with my mouth open to pretend I was drunk. HIGHlarious!


Terrah & Hannah were just adorable, and they told me the same *Blush*...Hannah had on a Heart Attacks tee and was so excited to know we knew them, and proceeded to excitedly squeal about how fun they are, and we replying, "I know, I know."
The Vacation was a band I'd never heard of before but sounded familiar. They really put on a good display and some crowd interaction. The singer was almost teetering on the line of insane, but entertainingly insane. Definitely made me feel like I went back into the late 60s or early 70s.


I was pretty wasted by the time the Living Things came on. Lynda was hoping to get a hold of Bosh before we got there so we could get on the guest list but to no avail. However, it was worth it, in my opinion.

Eve, Bosh, Lillian, Cory.

We all went to the Drunken Unicorn for an afterparty. It kinda sucked, but it was fun attempting to dance with Bosh and giggling with Terrah and Hannah and taking drunken pics with the Vacation and various asundries of people that had been at the Vinyl. About an hour or so later, after no return contact from a majority of friends texted, Lynda and I drove the Living Things to Steak and Shake in Marietta. We sat around making fun of fat black ladies and joking about the tight ride in the car (incredibly misquoted): "Lillian, how are you enjoying your seat? Feels nice doesn't it?" After the late night dinner, they walked across the street to their hotel and Lynda dropped me home, which was about half an hour ago.
Might go see Pink Spiders.
All the bands were actually good this time. Definitely worth a listen.