Oh, Look Out You Rock N’ Rollers
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes. Turn to face the stranger. Ch-ch-changes.
Things might even change here at the A-List. Maybe a new email (so you can unsubscribe without offending). Maybe that long rumored website (is it a rumor if you start it yourself?) to replace atlantasalist.blogspot.com. Maybe even more content on records and show reviews (how long have I been promising that?).
One thing won’t change though – every week, once a week you’ll get the A-List. You’ll know about Of Montreal (and their Tabernacle show) before the band is featured on the cover of that free paper that you might pick up on Thursday or Friday night (before it changed the cover anyway – no wonder they’re in bankruptcy). You’ll get moments of honesty when a drunk and delirious Manchester Orchestra disappoints us here in town right before launching a semi-national tour. You’ll get moments of awe when Gnarls Barkley proves that the short round man with the tall skinny guy are indeed deserving of the hype. You’ll even find out about events off the beaten path and outside the realm of live music like the The Garbageman and his gang supershort story readers. For all the change, the A-List will stay the same: arbitrary, alternative and almost annoyingly regular.
This Week in New Atlanta
On Friday night Conor Oberst will be at my favorite Euclid Ave haunt…The Variety Playhouse. So much has been written about this guy there isn’t a whole lot for me to add here. He emerged on the scene as a high schooler and is probably best known for his work with the band Bright Eyes. At 28, he has released his first “solo” record despite being the driving force behind every band he has been in. He is in the traditional singer-songwriter mold, not the modern version of that type, which is to say he is not over produced drivel like John Mayer or Gavin Degraw, but something closer to Paul Westerberg or even Bob Dylan. He’s a darling of the critics, if not Dave FM. I will be in Manhattan on Friday, but that is the only reason I will be missing this show.
Another show that I will be missing this week due to the demands of the job that pays the bills, is The Del McCoury Band at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center on Saturday night. This is a sit down in your assigned seat kind of venue (which is usually not my style) but this is also one of the best bluegrass acts that I’ve heard, so you take it as you get it. If you need an indication of the cred they have among the traditionalists they will be coming off a show at the Grand Ole Opry when they hit Atlanta. My first exposure to this North Carolina born and Pennsyltuckey bred gentleman was 1999′s The Family but my favorite is 2003′s It’s Just the Night and the single off that record “My Love Will Not Change.” Described by some as the bridge between traditional bluegrass and the future of the genre, he is firmly rooted in fiddles and banjos but can entertain with the best of them.
Saturday night, 90′s indie rock holdovers Local H will be at Lenny’s. I find this show remarkable in a number of ways. First, this Chicago duo have been making records on a fairly frequent basis in the 12 years since their huge alternative radio hit “Bound for the Floor” (who knew?) with its undeniable hook and near perfect angst (note also that this myspace clip has been played almost half a million times). Second, despite that huge hit, the best gig they can get in this town is a Saturday night at Lenny’s (sorry Lenny’s fans, but while I love our Decatur street dive it is not where I expect to see a band that had a top 10 single!). Third, I actually heard a review of the new album Twelve Angry Months (maybe from a Chicago radio show I listen to) that said this may be their best effort since 1997′s Pack Up the Cats. Seems like it might be worth 12 bucks at the door. Finally, they are not even headlining – that will be Electric Six. From headlining arenas to a venue with more pool tables than fixed seats, how’s that for change?
Pocket Change
A few locals who will be playing locally (duh) this week. Yelawolf is rappin’ (does anybody call it that anymore?) at Smith’s Olde Bar on Saturday night. Selmanaires will be crashing the Star Bar on Friday. The Earl will be featuring the Carbonas on Friday and Gentleman Jesse on Saturday.
That’s another A-List and my love will not change, it’s as steady the rhythm of the pouring rain.
