11 July 2016

11 July 2016 - Regina Spektor - Us

By the end of this post, no matter what your political leaning, you will love Regina Spektor.

I wanted to post this for the very cool looking video.  And it is cool.  Watch it.  It was her very first video.

But then listen.

Strings and piano.  And Regina Spektor's voice.  And very deep, meaningful lyrics that you won't hear from any other songwriter.  "The sculptor's marble sends regards."  It's a cool song, full of deep meaning.  And her delivery is so genuine and heartfelt.



But now watch it live.   EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE.  That's just whatever piano Barnes and Noble had lying around.   And she's cramming a lot of piano notes in along with those very complex lyrics.



But what about something more impressive?

How about at the White House, in front of the President and Vice President, without the strings, and she screws up because even SHE gets nervous!!???  And recovers BEAUTIFULLY,  in a self-effacing way.  How awesome and genuine is that?!



And now you love her.

08 July 2016

8 July 2016 - Everclear - Santa Monica

Let me put this right out there.  Art Alexakis wrote a brilliant song here.

The song starts off kind of quiet, but grows angrier as it continues.  Even in its anger, this three-minute masterpiece still stays controlled, and, dare I say, fun.  But back to that buildup.  The band is a three-piece.  They get a lot of sound out of that three-piece.

But that's not why I think it's brilliant.

The lyrics are powerful and heartfelt and angry and poignant and eloquent.  And, for a three-minute song, there are a lot of lyrics.

But that's not why I think it's brilliant.

It's all of it together. And even more than twenty years later, this is a song that sticks with me.  It's a song I enjoy more with every listen. Which isn't something I would have thought in the mid 90's.  It's a surprising piece of genius.