Music-Live-Reviews

Every once in a blue moon, Metallica makes its way to the Twin Cities.  That’s the closest they, and most large acts, get to the La Crosse area.  All worth the 2.5 hour drive for a couple hours of the best show in town.  Tuesday night, of all nights for a concert, Metallica made its way to the Target Center in Minneapolis.  The first time I saw Metallica was at the Metrodome for the Summer Sanitarium Concert Tour in 2003.  However, the concert setting at the Metrodome was the traditional stadium concert set up (one large stage at one end of the stadium).  But on this tour, there was a center stage, which allowed for one amazing show.

Me and the rest of the ’society’ got to the concert just before the 2nd opening band, Lamb of God, came on.  I’ve heard some Lamb of God in the past, but nothing that made me a huge fan.  They played a pretty good set, and there were some fans there that were really into them, so they must have put on a good show.  My seat was on the lower level of the Target Center and on one of the sides.  I was 5 rows up from the edge on the side where the bands walked to and from the stage.  In other words, I paid pretty good coin to get that seat.  I also had decent fans sitting around me, which if you’ve ever been to a concert with a rowdy fan sitting around you, it kind of ruins your concert experience.  Lamb of God played for about 45 minutes, or maybe longer, I didn’t check my watch.

Set change was much different for this Metallica concert than the first one I went to.  For the first one, each band playing had their own concert backdrop and props, so it would take an hour to tear down and set up.  This time, they just had to pull the sheet off the drumset and wait for Metallica to take the stage.

A little after 9:00, the lights when dark and sounds of “Ecstasy Of Gold” were in the air.  With all the concerts I’ve been to, nothing gets my blood pumping more than that song.  If you haven’t heard of it, it’s from the score of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and Metallica’s been opening with it since they started.  James, Kirk, Lars and Robert all ran out to the stage and hit that first note.  At that point, the 25,000+ in attendance wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than with Metallica.

The set list was a mix of new and old, but I’m more of an oldie fan when it comes to Metallica.  Check out what they played….

1. “That Was Just Your Life” off Death Magnetic - New
2. “The End of the Line” off Death Magnetic - New
3. “Ride The Lightning” off Ride The Lighting - Old
4. “Holier Than Thou” off the Black Album - Old
5. “One” off …And Justice for All - Old
6. “Broken, Beat And Scarred” off Death Magnetic -New
7. “Cyanide” off Death Magnetic -New
8. “Sad But True” off the Black Album - Old
9. “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” off Master of Puppets - Old
10. “All Nightmare Long” off Death Magnetic - New
11. “The Day That Never Comes” off Death Magnetic - New
12. “Master of Puppets” off Master of Puppets - Old
13. “Fight Fire With Fire” off Ride The Lightning - Old
14. “Nothing Else Matters” off the Black Album - Old
15. “Enter Sandman” off the Black Album - Old

I was surprised they played six songs from their latest album.  The first time I saw them, they tried to played a couple songs off each album to spread it around.  I guess the reviews and popularity for Death Magnetic were so good that they had to play most of the album on tour.  The entire first song of the concert was played mostly in the dark.  Not so the crowd couldn’t see the band, but because there was an intense laser show going on.  The entire concert had an amazing lights display.  With spotlights on James, Kirk and Robert, they all roamed around the center stage making sure that they took in cheers from ever fan in the arena.  At times, there was also a spotlight on Lars, their drummer, which then displayed a huge shadow of Lars on sides of the Target Center.  Click here to see a picture of it.

I was impressed with the sound system at the Center.  When I saw them at the Metrodome, I remember not being able to hear Kirk’s guitar solos very well because the sound all blended together.  But on Tuesday night, Kirk’s solos were clear as the albums.  I’ve only seen them twice now, so I still get floored when I hear Kirk live.  And at that point, nothing gets better than to see Kirk raise his hands and nod to the crowd.

My favorite song from the concert at this point was “Master of Puppets.”  They play it at every show and everyone knows the song.  But hearing it live, with 25,000+ other fans….oh man!  The crowd cheers with adrenaline and sings at the top of their lungs.  At that point, I realized I was losing my voice.  I always sing at shows, but I had to sing loud at this one.  The second half of the show also introduced a new flash to the entertainment, pyrotechnics.  They had huge flares of fire on the stage, along with colored flames in the center of the stage.  You know you’re close when you can feel heat from the flames.

Metallica finished with “Enter Sandman.”  But when does Metallica ever finish with just one set?  The crowd cheers with the house lights on until they go dark once more.  They came back on stage playing the intro to “The Frayed Ends Of Sanity” off …And Justice For All, which is a simple rhythm.  But without saying a word, the entire crowd starts chanting the notes.  T’was a moment to remember.  James came back on and acknowledged what the crowd was doing.  He said, “That tells me you still have energy left.”  He goes on to say that they try to play a cover song at each show and that tonight was, “…the Misfits!”  They broke into “Die, Die My Darling” and rolled that into “Motorbreath” off Kill ‘Em All.  James spoke one more time, encouraging the crowd to sing as load as they could to the final song, “Seek & Destroy.”  During the final song of all their concerts, they drop these huge beach balls, that are all black, from the rafters of the stadium or arena.  Apparently these are hot commodities, so when they fall, people try to get their hands on them.  Of course they’re huge, so it’s hard to catch them with people trying to hit them around.  In one of the pictures my friend took, you can see a bunch of the balls on stage that James, Kirk and Robert were kicking back into the crowd.  It was pretty funny to watch, especially seeing Kirk play the solo to “Seek & Destroy,” all while being trapped in a corner of beach balls.

After the concert, they stayed on stage to acknowledge the crowd and throw out picks and drum sticks.  They all gave a final message to the crowd and headed off stage.  After that, you spend the next few hours trying to comprehend what you just saw.  Of course, it’s tough to head back to work on such short rest, not to mention the ringing in your ears, but that’s truly the fun of these concerts.  They give you stories to tell, and memories to reminisce.  What could you want more from a concert?  Metallica always puts on a great show and Tuesday night in Minneapolis was nothing short of phenomenal.  They couldn’t have put it better than the first song they played, “That Was Just Your Life.”  So it was, my friend.  So it was.

-BC

For reasons unknown to me, any kind of music that is re-recorded or played with acoustic instruments always seems better to me.  Maybe for the fact that the music can be more calm and smooth, or just easier to listen to.  Whatever the reason, I enjoy acoustic music.  On a side note, but somewhat on topic, I also like any kind of music that is re-recorded with an orchestra.  Close to acoustic, I guess.

With some of my earlier posts like, Myles Kennedy, Hallelujah and Kenny Wayne and the Family, I spoke about some songs re-done acoustically, or in those cases, played live acoustically.  No need for over-powering speakers and flashy stage lights, just music.  But for that same reason, when recording acoustically, each instrument can enhance the flavor of their original concepts.  The vocal lines can add more dynamics and pitch changes since the instruments underneath are played more loosely then originally intended.  Then the instruments underneath can add lines to the middle of phrases, where before were filled with effects.  But in the end, that’s what make acoustic songs good.  They’re just like the originals, but the sounds and feel of the songs are new.

This is way I can’t wait for the newest release from Within Temptation.  If you don’t know anything about them, you can read my introduction post called The Temptation Within.  Their new album, called An Acoustic Night At The Theatre, which will be released on November 2nd, is a collaboration of songs played live acoustically from their latest tour.  Basically a greatest hits album done live, the 12-song album also adds a new song to their catalog.

As for other bands who regularly release re-recorded acoustic versions of their original songs, there is always a highlight to re-ignite the once popular songs.  But instead of trying to bring those songs, poorly phrased, back from the dead, I think it just solidifies songs as the greatest hits from that band.  It’s a way to honor those fan favorites and immortalize them.  So if you know of any songs that were re-recorded acoustically, let me know and I’ll check them out.  But I’ll leave you with the newest song from Within Temptation (featuring Chris Jones), and their acoustic version of “Utopia.”

I am pleased to announce that Music-Live-Reviews has been ranked in the top 10 of forums and blogs from the La Crosse area!  In fact, it was #4 on the list and the #2 blog!

Why you should follow: The Music-Live-Reviews blog is more than music reviews and upcoming concerts.  There are also posts about musicians you have never heard of and thought provoking music theories.  It promises to expand your music library, and it delivers.

The list was created by Coulee Creative who is a website and graphic design company in the area.  They have created many cool websites, including a good amount from this area.

Also in the top 10 list was WKBT’s Jeff Guin who writes for the Coulee Region Art Blog. He ranked as #5 on the top 10 list and as the #3 blog.

For the complete top 10 list, click here.

For the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States, what can be better than a 3-mile parade, over a week long of events, and the best heritage music to hit the area!  Not to mention the brats and cheese curds either, which just mentioning has made me hungry.  Friday morning marks the start of Oktoberfest in La Crosse, leading up to the opening weekend with the Maple Leaf Parade.  And to help start off the celebration, head down to hear some of the best bands from the area.

I have been a lifetime La Crosse resident, so I grew up with Oktoberfest every year.  It is definitely a different kind of celebration from when you’re 5-years-old to when you’re 24-years-old, or even 80-years-old.  There’s so much to do, but the best part is getting together with friends, family or networking your way around the Oktoberfest Marshal’s who can be found wearing lederhosen.  And apparently lederhosen can be quite expensive, who knew?

Oktoberfest music is spread out to many different styles and backgrounds.  Of course you’re going to hear the traditional music like polka and German style music.  But this is Oktoberfest in Wisconsin, so you’re going to get much more.

Headlining the opening night of entertainment on Friday will be local classic rock band, The Remainders on the South Side Main Stage at 8:00 p.m.  They’re always a get live band, especially since they have a fairly large song catalog.  But if you feel the need to start off your Oktoberfesting with traditional polka, why not check out the Jim Busta Band on the South Side Garden Stage on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.  I had the privilege to sit in with them on a few gigs this past summer, and they are definitely worth watching.  Each band member plays a number of instruments, so there’s rarely a time that they can’t play a requested song.

The next day that popped out at me for entertainment was Thursday, October 1st.  On the South Side Main Stage at 7:00 p.m., 80’s cover band Brat Pack Radio will take the stage.  You can read my review from their concert when they played at Weinerfest this past year at the Oktoberfest Grounds.  And following BPR is the one and only Pat McCurdy.  Pat’s a long time fan of the La Crosse area, and holds a pretty large fan base here.  I’ve also reviewed him the last two times I’ve seen him, which have both been this year too. The rest of the fest consists of more classic rock, country, blues and good old polka.

Don’t forget about music in the Maple Leaf Parade too.  There will be plenty of floats that have live bands, dancers, bikers, and lawnmowers.  Yes, I did say lawnmowers, we live in Wisconsin.  Also, watch out for the many marching bands from area schools.  I only say that because I had to put up with four years of marching in the parade, wearing those heavy uniforms and playing an instrument while walking.  It’s harder than it looks.

For a complete list of Oktoberfest events, click here.

-BC

Categorized as one of the top 5 indie bands in the nation, it’s no doubt that La Crosse feels like home for Arizona based Caroline’s Spine.  With having a strong college base, C’SP has made countless appearances in La Crosse since their existence.  Even with chart topping hits and tours with household named bands, Spine still treats their La Crosse fan base with new releases and great live shows.

Caroline’s Spine broke onto the national mainstream with hits like “Sullivan,” “Monsoon,” “Attention Please,” and my favorite “Wallflower.”  If first saw Caroline’s Spine in La Crosse in 2003 when they came to, what was, 324.  I’ve seen them a few times since then and they never disappoint.  C’SP music is also easy and fun to cover, if you play guitar or are in a band.

The full band, outside of just Jimmy Newquist, have been on hiatus and back together a few times in the past few years.  Newquist had made many solo appearances in La Crosse while C’SP was off and on, most of times at John’s Bar.  But to tell you the truth, it’s good to have Spine as a whole again, even if it’s not the original.  Most recent release, Work It Out, features single “The Light Inside” which is said to be the second most downloaded C’SP song since “Sullivan.”

Spine will be making their latest stop in La Crosse this weekend, Saturday, September 12th at the “End of Summer Bash” put on by local rock station 95.7 The Rock.  Held at the South Side Oktoberfest Grounds, C’SP will take the stage around 9:00 p.m. or whenever The Rock gives away the bike.  I leave you with their latest hit, “The Light Inside.”