Notes from a Genius

I've seen Grace Potter I think 6 times now, and Halloween was probably my favorite show (which is hard to estimate because each time I see her, she just gets better and better- case in point, her set at Thompson's Point with Lake Street Dive). But this show was incredible. The whole band came out dressed as a hair-metal band from the 1980s and aside from Grace Potter songs, they pulled out some old classics. I've been trying to find a setlist for the show, and that's why it's taken me so long to review the show, but I can't find one anywhere, so I just have to go off my memory. During a few of her own songs, she ripped into verses from: Paradise City Every Rose Has Its Thorn (during Stars)  November Rain I Love Rock n Roll Then, for the encore:  White Wedding Sweet Child o' Mine Since I've Been Loving You  and finally... You Shook Me All Night She also played some of her songs, of course, including: Your Girl Biggest Fan Stars Look What ...

Yup, that's right. I went to see the "Call Me, Maybe" singer at the Paradise, a small club in Boston. You would think with the success of her debut song, she would have garnered some kind of shot into superstar status, but the truth is, and she's admitted it in interviews, her marketing was handled poorly and when the song was initially released there was not any kind of plan of action, because her album was not completely finished and it was not released for a few months after the single. It never really went anywhere else. She has another album prior to the one that found her overplayed on the radio, called Tug of War which is actually a bit grittier and indie. Well, her new album Emotion, is a solid piece of '80s nostalgia. And she focused her show's setlist around the new release. The show was every bit as good as I thought it would be. Run Away With Me Play Video Making the Most of the Night Play Video Good Time Play Video E...

Last night was my 6th time seeing Circa Survive. And it was hard to believe that they were celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut album "Juturna," which for me is one of the Top 5 albums of the past 15 years. I still remember going to Bull Moose in Brunswick, ME and buying it while my buddy Corey was working behind the counter. I've listened to it non-stop in several phases of my life over the past 10 years. It still holds up, for me, 10 years later, which is a sign that it is an incredible album, when it can still resonate with you after so many listens. The band played it in its entirety, from track 1 to the last, with Anthony Green playing the last song acoustically, by himself. It's an incredibly powerful album to hear live, as well, with a bit of a new interpretation to a couple of songs, which added some flare. Juturna Holding Someone's Hair Back Play Video Act Appalled Play Video Wish Resign Play Video The Glorious Nos...

I've had Modest Mouse on my concert bucket list for at least 15 years now, ever since I found their albums while doing a radio show at Bates College, thanks to my sister. They've played several times in the Boston area, but I never got tickets. So, this time around, when I found out they were playing at the Civic Center in Portland (which is about a 5 minute walk for me), I had to go. They played an awesome set and I was so glad I finally saw them. I Came as a Rat Play Video The World at Large Play Video Be Brave Play Video Missed the Boat Play Video Dashboard Play Video Breakthrough Play Video Baby Blue Sedan Play Video Pistol (A. Cunanan, Miami, FL. 1996) Play Video Blame It on the Tetons Play Video Bukowski Play Video This Devil's Workday Play Video Lampshades on Fire Play Video Sugar Boats Play Video Float On  Play Video Broke Play Video The Tortoise and the Tourist Play Video P...