yet another great evening at the club. forgive me, bboard, for i know not what i am about to write... corrections to follow in the morning no doubt.
i got there in time for the second half of rice's set, and other than the aforementioned "we're all stuck", he didn't do much for me. i was surrounded by peeps who wouldn't STFU, so that had a detrimental effect. beyond that, i just didn't feel he connected with me (definitely didn't connect with the crowd). there were some pretty songs under all that noise, but didn't come through.
Bazan was a little better for me, personally. he totally floored the place, from where i was standing (right balcony) when he explained why he was enuciating slowly between songs. "i was upstairs during jonathan (rice's) set, and i couldn't understand anything he was saying... not that i'm complaining (about the noise), it's a gift to be playing here tonight, so to those who can hear me (over the chatter) i hope you enjoy" (my paraphrasing). that managed to get a few folks to STFU. awesome.
ben was simply great. had the place eating out of his palm, and he played to us like a pro. "glove compartement" on the piano was an absolute treat. "all apologies" sounded much better than i was expecting, fit in to the set perfectly. overall, his voice was in top shape. lots of people mouthing words without it being an annoying sing-along.
i left the show on a total high. so high, in fact, that the lady and i drove back home, i had a quick bite to eat... and returned to the club for the second show, bought a ticket for face out front. yes, that good.
first show: crowd = 9/10, ben = 8. second show: reverse. at the second show, there were two groups of frat boys who wouldn't STFU ("GIBBARD, YOU RULE!!! YEAH MAAAAN, WOOOOO!!!!"). ben remarked as much during a quiet passage of "we looked like giants" (he made a similar remark during the first show, although less cutting - more along the lines of "wow, what a weird reaction" - different song, can't remember which one at the moment). despite this, another way-above-average performance. during ben's second set, somebody from The Office (supposedly) came out with a guitar and got some banter going... i've never seen the american series (yes, seriously) so i'm only going on what people around me were saying.
only rice opened for the second show, and ben came out to duet on the opening song - definitely lent some cred to rice. much better audience reception, overall.
the club did indeed sound amazing, again - that's two nights in a row. has something been done/changed to the PA? whatever it is, please keep it up.
zzz... tomorrow is going to suck, yet again.
