The Weekend of Wonderful Sounds

As summer finds itself in full swing, I've seemed to have upped my concert repertoire over the recent months, and rather swiftly, I might add.

I've headed to shows all throughout the city [and a few burbs] that include: Tool, Rhiannon Giddens, Gary Clark Jr., Air, The B-52's, Gorillaz, and Natalie Merchant [Phish is on deck for Sunday]. All of these were fantastic shows. I'm going to delve into a few details about two of them, which is particularly easy because I saw both artists this past weekend.

Gorillaz

I'll take you over to Northerly Island where I saw Gorillaz on Saturday, July 8th. Now this was a band I had been quite enthused with over the past decade and then some. I remember being 18 [yeah, I was late to the party] and running into the Jamba Juice I was working at, only to Zach Braff my co-workers by putting my headphones in their ears and playing 'The Sounder', insisting that they needed to hear it. I remember hearing that for the first time and it being a song I had to listen to over and over.'Ghosttrain' was another favorite at that point in time.

I'm pretty amped on their latest album, as it possess a glorious hype and overall different vibe from their former work. Saying that, Gorillaz always tend to do their own thing and it's rather difficult to compare songs as they vary significantly, as do their albums. Please, let us not forget 'M1 A1' which always enthusiastically scares the hell out of me, but gains a groovy rock ability mid-way. Their concert delivered for new fans and those who have been there since the beginning. They kicked it off with 'Ascension' where I thoroughly lost my shit. There are so many great songs to dance to on Humanz that it really accentuated my hype. I believe I danced the entire concert. You couldn't not.

When they slid gloriously into 'Last Living Souls', it warranted another mind-losing session as I've loved that song for too long not to see it played live. 'Charger' was a serious shock to my system because I didn't even see that coming and it's one of my favorites off the latest. I fell in love with 'Out of Body', which I had heard before, but apparently not thoroughly enough. That was a song that required some righteous grooves. Everything continued to be outstanding all the way until they closed it up with 'Demon Days', which could not have been more appropriate. Such a beautiful song and a great way to send us off. It's always fun being the first U.S. show, we were the fun experiment for the new setlist, which is pretty lovely.

discombobulated!

Aloha

There are currently 3 good songs I'm really enjoying at this very point in time (they change ALL the time) Click to hear the song.

1) Starlight by MUSE (on their harp album especially)

2) L'amour est un Oiseau Rebelle remixed by Gorillaz by Gorillaz (this is bizarre-I love it)

3) Grey Street by Dave Matthews Band. I feel this band is odd because it is almost cool to either hate them or love them.  I think they are really talented as a whole and produce good work. I really think this song was written about/for me sometimes, ha ha. I love when a song is so relative. But then again, Everything is relative. I love it. This is a GREAT version.

& one more song I will love until the day I die..I've loved it for years and years:

OPHELIA by NATALIE MERCHANT. The link to the first is the original recorded song found on the album Ophelia recorded in 1998. The second link is to her performing it live, which she does so well. I would kill to see Natalie Merchant-she is so talented and her voice is so unique. If Natalie Merchant and Radiohead toured together, I'd cut off my limbs to see that show. But I mind as well cut of an arm to go see Phish considering the tickets are $150 dollars. They are very talented though. I am not sure why they are that expensive, of course it's their reunion show, but The Grateful Dead was only $90 even. Go figure. But even then so we are going to be camping out in Indiana for three days. It should be a really great time. I am so excited that Matthew is coming. Full of friendly people! --what a great environment.

So Mother's Day went really well. I got up early, cleaned up the house, headed to Trader Joes and got 3 different bouquets of flowers, Callalilly (mom's fave), a normal arrangement, and some yellow tulips. I had gotten her some unique  chocolate bars at Le Chocolat last night and a chocolate mousse truffle. Then I put flowers in different rooms and chocolates everywhere.I also made her favorite dinner which consisted of cilantro/lime rice (same as you'd find at chipotle),  honey/cilantro/jalapeño chicken and spinach sauteed with nutttmeeggg (ha ha Matt). It was good. Everyone was happy. Then for dessert I had prepared chocolate chip cookies with a tad of peppermint extract and lemon zest. They were fab. I took a long bike ride after we had an early dinner at 3:45. Linner? I realized I never think about riding a bike when I'm riding it. Same as driving. I asked my mom to go bike  riding and she said "No, then I'd have to mentally prepare myself." ha ha. I am always aware that I am operating a car/bike, but my mind wanders a lot. I'm sure this happens to everyone. Needless to say I thought of a bike clip... Ah..the old days. I used to love that movie. When I came home, I watched Gossip Girl with my mom. That show is so juicy and sneaky. I love it. I fell in love with the books in high school though. I told everyone to read them. They are so easy to get into and a quick read, plus it was a great way to learn more about designers.

I am going to have to buckle down and start studying for sociology. I have no motivation considering I could fail this test and it wouldn't even matter since he drops our lowest test grade and I've gotten good grades on both the other ones, but whatever, I shall attempt for the A and get even higher points. Managable. 50 questions. 50 points. Easy Cheezy

Last night ended up to be great. We hit up Red Mango (It's that mochi, I'm telling you!--it hooks you in) after our phenom chipotle. It's remarkable, I didn't actually finish it this time. It was ginormous! Then we went to the hookah bar for awhile, but I was just not in the mood to be out and about anymore so we headed home, grabbed another bottle of champagne, and watched South Park. Ha ha. I enjoyed it though. I love coming home from a nice night out and just relaxing. However, I should be starting sociology. Have a delightful night and have yourself a laugh.

 Funny movie clip! (includes my fave bike clip ever!) ha ha ha ha!

-Tessaroobop