Quick Ocular Displacement....

Last night was R.E.M. at Lakewood. I was really looking forward to the show and was glad we went.

We missed the 1st opening act - The National, and caught all of the 2nd - Modest Mouse. Johnny Marr (ex-Smith's guitarist) has been with the band for almost 2 years and you could definitely tell his influence on their songs. What I didn't understand is why they wanted to add rock & roll banjo to their music - it didn't work. I have blogged many times that R&R banjo can be a very important and decisive instrument - when used correctly. This guy could not get off his "Johnny Reb" plucking and he never melded into the song. Sorry to be critical but leave the banjo home and your show will be more concised and flow. Back on Johnny Marr, is he part of the band or not? It was like the 5-6 members of Modest Mouse were all clustered together in a tight bunch of guitar, bass, keyboard, 2 drummers and singer; then, 30 feet away, was Johnny Marr, by himself, doing his thing. No drawn out solos, no true spotlight riffs, just him by himself. Weird... (I did like the 2 drummer concept, reminded me of old Adam Ant, Bow Wow Wow)

Michael and the boys came out and absolutely ROCKED... I will quickly admit that I was ashamed of myself for allowing REM's catalogue to have surpassed my memory... After Automatic for the People, I haven't bought a disc until their current Accelerate... They played alot I was unaware of, and alot of the old standbys and as always, what they didn't play stands out moreso than what they did.... They were good at mixing the old and the new... I had originally stated this was my 11th show but I actually think it was my 7th since I have not seen them live in 5 yrs. Yep, 7th. I missed Superman, Radio Free Europe, Finest Work Song, Everybody Hurts, Bang and Blame, and Catapult.

But, as always, during the encore Michael decided to give us his views on the upcoming election and bla, bla, bla. I could not believe the Boo's that were hurled his way... I didn't come here for to hear a lecture but I wasn't going to Boo... (I don't boo at Clemson games so I try not to boo at concerts). Anyhow The National have a T-Shirt with Obamma on it saying Mr. November and he wanted everyone to buy it... Whatever.... BUT Michael missed a golden opportunity to play "It's the End of the World As We Know It" after he told us all to vote for Obamma. That would have been Funny and True... We not all feel fine if this happens...

Good Show boys... I just hope they give The Modern Skirts they kind of props they gave Modest Mouse and The National when they are in Europe... This is The Modern Skirts big break.... Hopefully they will come home with a Record Deal and many many thousands of new fans... That would be good for those guys.... Kick Ass - Phillip, Jay, and the rest...