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Bergie22
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Name: Jeff
State: Illinois
Metro: Rockford
Gender: Male
Interests: Writing, Jeff Tweedy and all things Wilco, Chicago (greatest city in the world), all things Chicago sports, coffee (black), reading (The Times, the Trib, and many many books), community, solitude, Top 40 radio (including Ryan Cabrera, Ashlee Simpson and others--I'm serious), running (stupid shin splints), NPR (except for Diane Rehm...it's not her voice that bothers me it's that she made fun of me once), psychology, movies, my cell phone, yogurt, the India House lunch buffett, the Thai Hut anytime, acting, learning, loving the greatest friends in the history of the world, great teaching, the power of the local church, and, most of all, learning more about in order to become more like the wisest man who ever lived, Jesus
Occupation: Retired
Industry: Government
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
7/1/2005
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| So I have heard the new Wilco, set to be
released in mid May, in its entirety. And it's great. But of course I
think it is, I am definitely a superfan. But here are my early
thoughts: if A Ghost is Born was Jeff Tweedy's drug album, then Sky
Blue Sky is his serenity album, or at least his road-to-serenity album.
The album is overall, in a word, chill. It is peaceful. Craig laughed
when I said this, but it makes me want to fall asleep in a field on a
bright Summer day.
I think that some might (mistakenly) dismiss it as
boring, and I suspect some critics will mock the uplifting tone of his
lyrics (esp. 'What Light'), but they too would be wrong. Tweedy has
taken his listeners on quite the sonic and lyrical journey the last few
years. It's good to hear him seemingly at peace with himself and the
world around him. As Corbyn put it so well: "This album sounds like a
big exhale, like Tweedy is finally being himself."
To listen to 'What Light' and/or download it, go here:
http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/41529/Wilco_New_Music_Wilco | | |
| So I haven't posted (or, I admit, read) here in quite some time. I have become one of those xanga folks. The ones that let their xanga sit unattended for weeks and weeks and then suddenly pops up and posts something like "hey, I haven't posted here in quite some time" and expects everyone to leave all kinds of comments about how glad they are to see them back. They promise to be more faithful in posting. Maybe three days later they post something like, "really busy right now, but I promise to post something later" or, "I don't really know what to write right now". And then that 's it. It sits like that for months and months. And they aren't coming back.
Yep, I guess I've become one of them.
But I just wanted to say that I love that there is still a community here, of such good people. I've just been reading such great, authentic, witty, beautiful, sweet and honest posts. And I like that you all are still here, doing that. It's just good to know that Jen Birkett and Sarah Tyson and Mike Hoekstra and Jen Seuring and Josh Cooke and Jon Kelly and Cari-hatianlovesong and Rachel Ashley (my sweetheart) and Andrew Linker (with his abstract posts, for your commenting pleasure) and Ryley with his Tribe love and Bill and all the rest of you, are all still here, writing great, honest things.
Thanks.
Keep it up.
Edit: and Sarah Axelrod Axelson (sorry A-Rod, it was late)
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| Lollapalooza Recap: Hits, Misses, and Mass 'Prenup'
Well, it was quite a weekend. Long story short, it was an absolute blast. I would do it over again in a second. Grant Park is such a beautiful setting for a weekend of first class music. Truly, Chicago was a wonderful host. I didn't realize how many people didn't know that Lolla has reinvented itself. When I told people that I was going this weekend, a lot of people sort of laughed. They are missing it. It is no longer the touring show that got so tired that it actually played at the Winnebago Fairgrounds in Pecatonica. It is now a one time a year three day festival only in Chicago that now truly rivals Austin City Limits, Bonaroo, and Cochella as the music destination of the summer. Anyhow, here's my recap:
Day 1
By the time Craig and I check in and take the blue line into the loop and meet up with Rachel and Sarah, it's late afternoon and we arrive in the middle of Stars set. It's rather forgettable. I have the Stars cd, and it's good. But this was not the right setting for them, and it was rather boring. Next, we head to one of my more anticipated artists of the whole weekend, Ryan Adams. He turned out to be the biggest disappointment. He played nothing that wasn't found on his two newest releases, which, in my opinion, at best make up one good album between the two of them. He plays a set that is just boring. He is in big time space out heroin rock mode. And it was just very sleepy. The Cardinals seem like great musicians, but every single song ended the same: an overly long space out jam. Honestly, if we were on smack, it probably would have sounded great. But we weren't, and it didn't. He also lived up to his reputation as pretentious: when he finally got around to addressing the crowd he rambled on with some nonsense about eggs, which prompted his bassist to step to the mic and say, "I think what Ryan means to say is thanks for coming out in the sun and sweating your asses off to see us". After that, we decided to stay put at that stage b/c we wanted to have a good spot for the next artist (a reoccurring strategy over the weekend), but from where we were we watched Iron and Wine on the jumbo screen and listened from a distance, and from what I could tell they put on a very nice set. Then it was time for My Morning Jacket who just absolutely, totally rocked. Their set ended up being one of mine and Craig's favorite of the entire weekend. These guys are just on top of their game, and if you aren't listening to them then you are missing out (but I think their fanbase is only going to continue growing--I honestly think we are dealing with the next Wilco here). Also, lead singer Jim James was very generous, a stark contrast to Adams' self-importance.
After that highlight, Craig and Sarah left to check out Violent Femmes, who, they later reported, put on a decent greatest hit set that was still fun to sing along to. Rachel and I stayed put and listened to a little of Sleater-Kinney (sorry, just don't get the fuss) because we had an awesome, up front spot for the headliner of Day 1, her very favorite band, Death Cab for Cutie. I had always considered myself a casual fan of this band, but they truly put on a very entertaining, fun, and great sounding set. It was interesting to see the way hordes of youngsters sing so passionately along to every lyric. The Chicago Tribune later called lead singer Ben Gibbard the 'pinup for the MySpace generation'. They were great, and I would say that I am a true fan now. My only criticism is that it seemed like the Ben Gibbard show. He was running around playing different instruments which seemed only to serve the purpose of drawing attention to himself. He honestly came across as a bit of a show off. Still, honestly, it was great. The stars were out, there was a cool lakefront breeze, the beautiful Chicago skyline provided an awesome backdrop, and it was great to watch my girlfriend's favorite band with her. Great Day 1.
Day 2
Day 2 started at noon with Nada Surf, who put on a tight, fun set that sounded great. They seemed to be having a blast, and it was contagious. And, yes, they played Popular. Next, Craig and I made really the only mistake of the weekend: seeing The Go! Team while Sarah and Rachel stayed for Feist. The Go! Team was okay, but just got to be too much after about three songs. It got gimmicky and annoying. Meanwhile, the girls reported that Feist put on a great, surprisingly hard, set. We then left the grounds to get some food before returning for another of the weekend's highlights: Gnarles Barkley. What a great, great time. They are so much more than just 'Crazy'. Danger Mouse is cool as all get out, and C-Low is a total blast. They had a 13 member band and were all dressed as tennis players, causing C-Low to announce that Gnarles Barkley couldn't make it, but that they were a Gnarles cover band by the name of '40 Love'. And, yes, we all danced to 'Crazy'. Next, yet another of the highlights, the Flaming Lips, complete with dancing santas, robots, and aliens. Despite some criticism that the spectacle and production of their shows overshadows the music, I thought they sounded great. And, besides, what's wrong with a weird, over the top, colorful production? It's like a happy-go-lucky Pink Floyd. Lead singer Wayne Coyne first admonished the crowd to sing along so loud that they stop traffic on Lake Shore Drive and, then, on the next song, upped the ante to singing so loud that "Israel stops bombing the f--- out of Lebanon", which garnered huge cheers. Next, the long walk to the other side of the grounds where we got a great spot for Day 2 headliner, all while listening from a distance to The New Pornographers. Then it was time for the big party, Kanye West. What a blast!!! Rachel and Sarah didn't want to deal with the masses, so they stayed to watch Manu Chao, a move they later regretted, with good reason. As cool as it would have been to see Manu, West was the place to be. It was the biggest crowd of the weekend. It was an unbelievable sea of people. Twista, Lupe Fiasco, and Common, who we unfortunately missed in order to see the Lips, made cameos. Despite an early sound problem, which got the crowd chanting 'Sound Board, Sound Board' and caused West to say, "We come to my hometown and ya'll f--- up the sound", it was a great set. A total party atmosphere. Yelling, 'we want prenup!' with 50,000 other people is a rare treat.
Day 3
The day starts with a great set by Nickel Creek, who covered both The Band and Brittany Spears. Craig and I listened and watched from a distance who Sarah and Rachel were seeing, Andrew Bird, who was his usual whistle-happy self. The Shins then put on a great, tight little set. Craig was unimpressed, but I thought they were great. Then Wilco played a set that included four new songs in front of an adoring crowd. Jeff Tweedy did seem a little freaked out by the size of the crowd, however (he said, "It's great to be home, but it's weird to be home and to see this", pointing to the human sea in front of him). We had the closest spot of the weekend, so it was fun. Rachel and Sarah left early to watch Broken Social Scene, who they were truly impressed by (Rachel so much so that she bought a shirt). Craig and I then took the first real exhale of the weekend and got a couple of beers and spread out the Bears blanket and watched from a comfortable distance Blues Traveler. Now, don't snicker. They were the perfect exit music to a long, hot, sweaty blast of an incredible music filled Chicago weekend. (We were too beat, and not big enough fans, to stay for Red Hot Chili Peppers)
The crowd was great, I didn't see anything close to aggression. The hardest drugs I saw or heard about was pot, which was around in abundance. The lines for the bathrooms, beer and food were short. It was a very well planned and managed event. The people that went with me were wonderful, and we complimented each other very well. I can't express how much of a blast it was.
We all agreed that if at all possible, we will all be back next year.
Below: the Chicago skyline while waiting for Death Cab, Death Cab on stage, and finally, Craig and I listening to Blues Traveler. I'll try to post better pics later.
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| Tonight: John Ortberg and Dewayne at Willow.
It is always great being at Willow. Such an amazing place. To me, that's a place that really, truly 'gets it'. Gets that it is love God and love people. And seeks to be constantly moving in the direction of understanding what it means to be doing those things more authentically. Really great to hear JO again, who seemed genuinely happy to be back. In my mind, he is still the greatest teacher I have ever heard. Wish I could hear him more. Still, I am happy for the people of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Dewayne was rather subtle tonight. Which is like saying it was cold in Arizona. Just doesn't happen. But its true. Dewayne Wayne was subtle. Love that guy.
Tomorrow: Cubs. Bleachers. Doubleheader.
Tonights game got rained out, so now I get two games for the price of one. And the oppressive heat and humidity is gone, leaving only hot dogs and Old Styles in its wake.
Friday-Sunday: Lollapalooza
I am very excited about this rock filled Chicago weekend. I won tickets, and Craig's dad had a voucher for a free hotel room, so the weekend is costing me next to nothing. The artist's list is incredible (the artists I am most excited to see: Kanye, Flaming Lips, Gnarles Barkley, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams, The Go! Team, and, of course, Wilco), I am going with my best friend (who is, indeed, despite contradictory reports, both a gentleman and a scholar: Craig "C-Dubb" Masbruch), my amazing girlfriend, and the one and the only, Sarah "A-Rod" Axelson/rod. This weekend is just going to be great.
Next weekend:
A little jaunt to Denver, Colorado with FutureMan to see the Cubs at Coors Field. I am really excited because I will get to see my long lost friend B-Mash (I am hoping that he will go see Clerks 2 with me, even though he has probably already seen it a dozen times). The rest of the time will be spent hiking on day trips and drinking Fat Tire, respectively.
Good little time right now. The mundane has been broken up. Routine interrupted. Good times with great people. If you are in Chicago, or Denver, please join me. I'd love to have you. For real.
Cheers.
Next time: Feeling 'Super' about the upcoming Bears season...
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