howmanytimes wrote:YoYoMan wrote:I believe I will be going to the 3 shows in Texas. I've never seen them before. I don't have super high expectations, since they are 30+ years past their prime. Still, I listen to them probably more than any other band, so I have to go. I am sure they'll be good, and I also want to show my appreciation.
YoYoMan wrote: Basically, I expect a real good time, just not life changing. That's big for me.
I hope you will enjoy seeing them and won’t be disappointed. You seem to have an optimistic outlook planning to go to 3 shows
Please post your review of how it went afterwards.
I didn’t expect a life-changing experience going to my first EATB concert last year, but that’s exactly what I got. I’m not an impressionable teen (or even a twenty-something person) and I don’t say that about every new artist/band I see. I understand that EATB nowadays is very different from the original line-up and their special chemistry, and I envy people who were there to witness the original magic, but somehow the current vibe still shook me to the core. Now I’m looking forward to seeing the band for the 2nd and 3rd time in November to check if that was a one-off accident or a real thing.
I bought tickets to shows in three cities. Then, I wussed out and just went to one (Houston). Reasons being the other shows would have been by myself, would have been quite a drive, and their set lists don't seem to change (very lame).
I thought they sounded very good. I was especially impressed with Mac. I was so surprised Mac could still pull off The Cutter. Just seems like a serious pro. The chords and notes and all that were perfect, but no spiritual moments for me. :( Could be me just as much as them. Just didn't feel a lot of magic - and this was the first time I've seen them and I've listened to them more than any other band in the last 2 decades. May also have been that my favorite songs were not played, which was expected. But for example - I have always thought there is no better song to make an entrance to than Going Up. It's perfect. I get chills listening to the build-up on the record for the millionth time. This was my FIRST time live, and no chills. I don't think they exploited the drama right. The grand entrance was 4 dudes with bad posture walking out and picking up their instruments. You're not 4 dudes - you're the f'g Bunnymen!!!!!!!!
One valid bit of critical feedback is they would have sort of these mid-song breaks where Mac would be mumbling stuff -sometimes other bands' songs. It would ruin the momentum. Lips Like Sugar suffered from this. Second that song started, it got at least twice the reaction of any other song. People LOVED it. Not because it was their all time favorite, but because it's an amazing f'g song!!!! Then, in the middle of it, back to the mumbling for a bit. People go from dancing around to checking their watches. They need to quit that. If they want to extend the song, they should do a medley of actual songs. Not mumbling.
I went with 3 millennials who just wanted to hear the Donnie Darko song. Did not know any other stuff. So, it was interesting to see their reactions - which ones they liked. They seemed to like Over The Wall the best. One liked Zimbo. All the Ocean Rain songs except the closer got thumbs up - they sound really good loud live. One person liked The Cutter - I thought they pulled that off great myself. None of the Crocodiles stuff got any reaction, and they played a bunch of it. I thought Never Stop sounded really great. The crowd did not seem to enjoy Nothing Ever Lasts Forever. It was a pretty hard rocking set, with the exception of Nothing Ever Lasts Forever. If people don't know songs, but they are hard rocking - people tend to still like them a lot. Nothing Ever Lasts Forever is not known here, and it is not hard rocking of course. That also applies to Ocean Rain. To a fan like me, that song means something. But instead of reaching for their lighters when that song came on, seemed a noticeable portion of the crowd headed to the exits.
Now, this review is probably way too critical. If I saw them in college, this very show might have been lifechanging. But I'm cranky now, and I don't even go to concerts. The big takeaway I want to impart is they sounded they GREAT! To me, Mac's voice exceeded every expectation. And they made me proud as such a big fan. I hope they keep it up!!!
