We skipped this Saturday night show in this week’s update. Not on purpose but wholly by mistake. Which has us thinking that we need to post when we think of it and not rely on our miserable record keeping system (which consists largely of scribbled notes on the back of credit card envelopes and torn corners of Creative Loafing) to help us keep you up to date.

Will the weekly update/email cease? Hmmm…not yet, but we’re thinking about going strictly bloggy style. Which means you should watch this space and follow us on Twitter for total coverage. While we’re considering that (or is it you considering it?), check out this clip by TV on the Radio from last year’s Dear Science.

Yes, there will be another band at the Tabernacle on Saturday night. Yes, that band is the buzz band of the moment. Yes, if you must listen to and own everything that gets rated higher than 8.0 on Pitchfork then you already have your tickets in hand.

As for us, we won’t get there early to catch Grizzly Bear with the same enthusiasm that we did to see Blind Pilot week. We dig the chamber pop thing but we tend to be a little selective about it. The bands that make that short list for us are Ra Ra Riot and the Decemberists (who also both put on a pretty decent show). Anyway, here’s a clip from the Grizz’s uber-hyped new record, Veckatimest.

Creditworthy

So I suppose it is apropos at long last to make reference to that economy thing. Hey I don’t make any money on this project, so it is both revenue neutral and credit neutral but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without risk. Rather the joy of live music is the inherent risk in it. Like certificates of deposit and credit swaps, the risks range from almost nothing to flat out gambles.

The minimal risk is that you go to see a favorite, they put on a great show, and the only let down is that they didn’t play one of the songs you hope they might. (See Grace Potter Saturday night at the Variety). The other end of the spectrum is where you see a highly touted newcomer who makes such a mess of the set you wonder why anybody might of suggested this was worth your time. (for example, last Thursday at Star Bar).

So what is the point? Well, your fearless author and former Manhattanite (though not an I-Banker) suggested both, attended both and walked away with those conclusions. Will I never again suggest a band I haven’t seen live? Nope. (So be forewarned). Will I mark my calendar three months in advance for the next Grace Potter show? Yep. We take chances. It’s life…and the last time I checked that was live too.

On that note, readers of this week’s A-List should click through to the links, check out the bands themselves, and make your own investments. I’m going minimalist…for one week anyway.

This Week

It’s short notice, but you can try to get to Smith’s Old Bar on Monday night for The Duhks. These Canadian folkies are no longer the buzz band that they were a couple a years ago but they have infused a little more soul into their sound of late and since this will support the relaunch of the great (but regrettably defunct) magazine No Depression as a website, it is worth the effort. Safe money.

Friday night TV on the Radio will be at the Tabernacle. These boys are known for live shows that are a departure from their recorded material, but almost every critic is doing back flips over the new record Dear Science (which I haven’t heard yet). I have never seen them play before and will show up on the basis of 2006′s Return to Cookie Mountain. Still taking chances.

Thursday night at the Variety Playhouse you can see The Ting Tings (which apparently is Mandarin for “bandstand”). This British duo has only been together since 2007 so there hasn’t been much of a chance for them to develop an on stage reputation or build much of a vinyl library. What I have heard, I like. Funky and fun. Other commitments may keep me away, but if I can get out I will be there. Fear nothing.

Other notes

Cowboy Mouth at the Variety on Friday. Galactic will be there on Saturday. Ben Kweller will be stopping in at the Earl on Friday.

So there you have it. That’s about as minimal as the A-List gets. Angie, where will it lead us from here?