Ok, so i went to the show last night...and whoever thought the show was boring and uninspired just must not have been a fan. which makes sense, seeing that its not the quickest music to fall in love with!
Anyway, Jesse Sykes was as billed, very good, nice voice, good mix of songs, kept it interesting, definintely worth getting there early! (she's also a sweetheart...after talking to her after her set)
Sparklehorse is just awesome. The one word that you CANNOT use to describe Mark Linkous is uninspired. in a world of faux-indie attitude and artists strutting around pretending to be weird, and more important than the songs they sing...Mark is probably the most geniune guy out there. He's not handsome, he dresses like hes in the late 1800s and he's kinda old....but the guy can play the guitar, can write a song...and the whole "lo-fi" genre owes him the world.
So the set was short, yes..i think 13-14 songs, started out quiet with "Spirit Ditch" and "Heart of Darkness", but then sped it up, playing "Hammering the Cramps", "Tears on Fresh Fruit" and "Pig". "Dont take my sunshine away" is probably the best song on the new disc...and it was great to hear live. I was surprised by the large turnout (being in baltimore AND at Rams head where shows like these rarely happen and when they do are never really advertised) and Mark was getting into it. "You're the coolest Baltimore crowd we've ever had" he said near the end...and he's so genuine, i think he might have meant it.
Bottom Line: If you love Sparklehorse, you will not be disappointed, other than the short 70 minute-ness of the show. If you are looking to get won over, you have a 70-30 shot (the two friends i took were won over).
and yes, "Gold Days" was the closing song...and its the most beautiful song he's written.
