totally unimpressed. I picked up the album for the sheer reason that At the Drive-In is/was one of my favorite bands. And I think the album is good, although a little spastic and not quite even as far as songs and quality go. But I figured they had to put on a ridiculous live show...
Well, the show was ridiculous, but in the worst way it could've been. There was never any chance to get a groove on any songs, since they seemed to stress the fast-slow tempo a little too much live. It's hard to really start digging a song when it's a minute and a half of fast tempo, then 6 minutes of slow noodling. Dont' get me wrong; I'm all for extended jams. I wouldn't dig Ween if I didn't. But it just seemed to be complex and different for the sake of being so.
You could still see some of the greatness that made ATDI such a powerhouse live act, but it seemed wasted on these absurd displays of self-importance. Yes, I know the songs are ultra serious, and the whole concept-album theme of your friend's suicide is something to keep in mind, but at least make the show a little fun. All it seemed to me was a huge example of thinking yourself over-important.
And really, it's one thing if the singer is doing jerky robot dances to his own songs (which didn't fit either, since he only seemed to do it during the solo tempo or ridiculous noodling/noise sessions), but seeing a whole crowd of kids doing the same moves was really pathetic. Sorry for the long, possibly rambling post. I'm just sorely disappointed, and super tired, as I drove to NYC after the show to visit my little brother.
