Columbus Very Good But Not Great

[atdawn42]

I don't intend on starting some forum war here.  After reflecting on the show last night, I must say the  boys were good but they have set the bar too high.  After epic show after epic show it is hard to live up to everyones expectations.  The setlist left a lot to be desired.  Very standard and no surprises.  I love this band and they sounded great as usual.  I think I just expect too much of them and when they don't deliver a knockout punch it seems like something was missing.  Highlights for me was the killer jam on Dondante and Touch me Part 2 is always cool.  Anyhow, I will continue to support the band and look forward to maybe going to NYC for New Years.

[BH]

Thanks for the review!  Just so you know, there are a couple of other threads on the Columbus show where a lot of others are posting there thoughts in case you want to read about some of those.  

[ycartrob]

so what's the scale?

I left___sucked___average___good___very good___great__face melt

is that the scale you're using?

[atdawn42]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

[ycartrob]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

OK, you're all over the place here; FOCUS! Now, which was it?

A) Very Good But Not Great
B) Average to very Average
C) short of disappointed but short of impressed

get back to me once you figure that out...

[baSSiStiSt]

Saw the show last night, was actually my first MMJ show ever (yeah, I know...I'm lame...sorry).

I've been a pretty big fan since Z caught my attention, and made me go back and get all the older albums. I missed them on the Z tour (going thru a divorce at the time, yuck), to my eternal regret. Like EU but don't love it like I did Z. Anyways...

The band has a pretty fearsome live reputation, so I went in with high expectations. I'm an old dude (42) and I've seen a few hundred different bands over the years and it's always nice to get really excited to see one I haven't seen yet!

Suffice to say, the tag line for this thread is spot on IMO. There were a couple of momentum problems, a couple of sound problems, and a couple of songs off the new album that just don't do it for me. But there were moments when the band shook it all off and just LIFTED OFF into a whole 'nother realm...probably predictably, these moments were pretty much all on songs from Z. Maybe personal bias.

Whatever, it definitely gave me a sense of just how formidable these guys can be when firing on all cylinders. I absolutely LOVED their performance values (lighting, set, etc.) and it was great to be close enough to see Jim do his thing, what a hidden asset Two Tone Tommy is, and what a rock (and sax!) god Carl is.

"Dondante" is probably going to end up filed in my top 10 concert moments ever.

Was a shame that the crowd was so annoying...this was what kept drawing me out of the concert and back to the annoying real world. Shoulda been down front but I was with my girl and that's not her thing. The people in the back needed to SHUT THE F*CK UP and put away their goddamn cell phones. I don't wanna hear your inane drunken bar talk when Jim is pouring his heart into a GREAT version of "Librarian". And they can get off my lawn while they're at it...

:D

[ManNamedTruth]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

How many times have you seen them on this tour? This was my second MMJ show ever and thought it was amazing, better than the first time in fact. If you're getting sick of seeing them then don't go anymore.

[ManNamedTruth]

Saw the show last night, was actually my first MMJ show ever (yeah, I know...I'm lame...sorry).

I've been a pretty big fan since Z caught my attention, and made me go back and get all the older albums. I missed them on the Z tour (going thru a divorce at the time, yuck), to my eternal regret. Like EU but don't love it like I did Z. Anyways...

The band has a pretty fearsome live reputation, so I went in with high expectations. I'm an old dude (42) and I've seen a few hundred different bands over the years and it's always nice to get really excited to see one I haven't seen yet!

Suffice to say, the tag line for this thread is spot on IMO. There were a couple of momentum problems, a couple of sound problems, and a couple of songs off the new album that just don't do it for me. But there were moments when the band shook it all off and just LIFTED OFF into a whole 'nother realm...probably predictably, these moments were pretty much all on songs from Z. Maybe personal bias.

Whatever, it definitely gave me a sense of just how formidable these guys can be when firing on all cylinders. I absolutely LOVED their performance values (lighting, set, etc.) and it was great to be close enough to see Jim do his thing, what a hidden asset Two Tone Tommy is, and what a rock (and sax!) god Carl is.

"Dondante" is probably going to end up filed in my top 10 concert moments ever.

Was a shame that the crowd was so annoying...this was what kept drawing me out of the concert and back to the annoying real world. Shoulda been down front but I was with my girl and that's not her thing. The people in the back needed to SHUT THE F*CK UP and put away their goddamn cell phones. I don't wanna hear your inane drunken bar talk when Jim is pouring his heart into a GREAT version of "Librarian". And they can get off my lawn while they're at it...

:D

The speakers did crackle during SEC Walkin, it was annoying but I wouldn't fault the band on that. People talked at the beginning of Dondante as usual, but they shut everyone up with that incredible jam. Z songs were the highlight. Most of the Evil Urges songs translated well live. Highly Suspicious was great live, and I didn't like that song at all at first.

[JPV]

i was ~40 ft back in the pit, dead center and it was AMAZING!!! very cool venue with a lovely crescent moon near Venus that eventually ducked behind the clouds. the manequin-like freeze during Evelyn was fantastic- only heard about one other time that they've done that, but i'm sure there are probably more...it seemed to last for minutes.  i can't wait to see them again :o  :D :D :o

check out this great video from last night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bCwbFRKPJg

[Maladapted Hominid]

Everyone who was saying this concert was average clearly wasn't standing up front.  I was standing right at the front of the stage in front of Carl and I thought it was the best show I have ever been too, and I've seen Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, Wolf Parade, Okkervil River and Modest Mouse all in concert before.  As far as I'm concerned the conditions were perfect too, it wasn't too hot or too cold, the crowd was energetic and the band was on fire.  Of course this is all subjective, but I thought I would throw in my two cents.

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

How many times have you seen them on this tour? This was my second MMJ show ever and thought it was amazing, better than the first time in fact. If you're getting sick of seeing them then don't go anymore.

again...a shitty argument.  "If you dont like it don't go."

It's called criticism - it's allowed.  You need to push the band to make them better.  If they don't change, maybe some people will leave.  But until then, let people have their voice - and if your going to dispute what someone says, have some backing to what you say. Otherwise it's just bickering and takes away from the idea of having a DISCUSSION.  

.....imagine a My Morning Jacket show where you didn't know if you were going to hear Golden, OFT, OBH or Wordless and knew it was more than possible they would play Come Closer, Stangulation, At Dawn or X-Mas Curtin.  

Don't they get bored?  Guess not...

[ritchiem4812]

I would have loved to been there. Even if they just played 3 songs, it'd been worth the 3 hour drive.

[atdawn42]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

How many times have you seen them on this tour? This was my second MMJ show ever and thought it was amazing, better than the first time in fact. If you're getting sick of seeing them then don't go anymore.

again...a shitty argument.  "If you dont like it don't go."

It's called criticism - it's allowed.  You need to push the band to make them better.  If they don't change, maybe some people will leave.  But until then, let people have their voice - and if your going to dispute what someone says, have some backing to what you say. Otherwise it's just bickering and takes away from the idea of having a DISCUSSION.  

.....imagine a My Morning Jacket show where you didn't know if you were going to hear Golden, OFT, OBH or Wordless and knew it was more than possible they would play Come Closer, Stangulation, At Dawn or X-Mas Curtin.  

Don't they get bored?  Guess not...

I love the band and I have been to 5 shows on this tour.  I don't post much but this show was in my hometown and I thought I would throw my reaction out there.  There were indeed parts of the show that was great especially the Z stuff.  I regularly check out the set lists and I am just disappointed lately.  I knew almost the entire set list by the opener.  The guys play their hearts out and they are very talented.  I didn't say I didn't get bang for my buck some bands charge twice as much for half the show we got last night.  I just think the set list could have been a little more thought out, for that matter the past 5 or 6 sets.

[aMillionDreams]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

How many times have you seen them on this tour? This was my second MMJ show ever and thought it was amazing, better than the first time in fact. If you're getting sick of seeing them then don't go anymore.

again...a shitty argument.  "If you dont like it don't go."

It's called criticism - it's allowed.  You need to push the band to make them better.  If they don't change, maybe some people will leave.  But until then, let people have their voice - and if your going to dispute what someone says, have some backing to what you say. Otherwise it's just bickering and takes away from the idea of having a DISCUSSION.  

.....imagine a My Morning Jacket show where you didn't know if you were going to hear Golden, OFT, OBH or Wordless and knew it was more than possible they would play Come Closer, Stangulation, At Dawn or X-Mas Curtin.  

Don't they get bored?  Guess not...

Dude, I hear you, but you know first time they don't play One Big Holiday the next day we're going to have ten WTF? NO OBH? threads.  to each his own, time to let it rest.

[kymomandstuff]

I would have loved to been there. Even if they just played 3 songs, it'd been worth the 3 hour drive.

Richie your post seriously brought a tear.If the dudes ever venture by here I sure hope they see your post.

That's a fan! 8-)

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

How many times have you seen them on this tour? This was my second MMJ show ever and thought it was amazing, better than the first time in fact. If you're getting sick of seeing them then don't go anymore.

again...a shitty argument.  "If you dont like it don't go."

It's called criticism - it's allowed.  You need to push the band to make them better.  If they don't change, maybe some people will leave.  But until then, let people have their voice - and if your going to dispute what someone says, have some backing to what you say. Otherwise it's just bickering and takes away from the idea of having a DISCUSSION.  

.....imagine a My Morning Jacket show where you didn't know if you were going to hear Golden, OFT, OBH or Wordless and knew it was more than possible they would play Come Closer, Stangulation, At Dawn or X-Mas Curtin.  

Don't they get bored?  Guess not...

Dude, I hear you, but you know first time they don't play One Big Holiday the next day we're going to have ten WTF? NO OBH? threads.  to each his own, time to let it rest.

true that...except for the whole let it rest part.  This discussion will never rest until their set lists are more unpredictable.

[hrb12367]

I was there. It was my first MMJ show. It was an amazing show. I got there at 1:30. I got to go in early and listen to the sound check. While leaving, we got a poster autographed by the band.



Even if the show would have sucked, that would make it the best show I've ever been to. :)

[tomEisenbraun]

Maybe I'm boring, but I really really love knowing the fact that with as much energy as these guys put into it, and as absolutely dead as I know I'm going to be by the end of the night, I have still got to hang onto my hat because they are going to finish the fucker off with One Big Holiday in all of it's ridiculous slamming huge glory. That's the one everyone is waiting for, and the one where the crowd knows every word and tears the roof off not only with the band's energy, but their own as well. It's the pinnacle of the show no matter where it is in the set-list, and I think it's quite fitting on this tour that they have all this build-up to the most intense climax they can crank out as a band.

Is that the part you want changed up? Because I feel like they're doing a very cool thing with closing with that song. It used to be an opener. Now it's huge enough to be a closer, and with triple the intensity. To each his own, but I was in a state of ecstasy by the time that one rolled around. Couldn't hardly headbang anymore but kept it up anyways, didn't have a voice anymore, but sang at the top of my lungs anyways--hell, I couldn't hardly here anymore, but I was all there, man. It's all how you perceive it, but I thought it was a beautiful move. They don't get tired of it because each new place brings a new energy. How can you get tired of that?

[ManNamedTruth]

Average to very Average.  I don't want to start any mudslinging which seems to always happen on this board when anyone posts a semi negative word about the band.  I will say I was short of disappointed but short of impressed.  With this band I have come to expect great things, last night seemed like they were just punching the clock for work.  To me there is no need to have an archive section if the band plays virtually the same set night after night.  The set list was my chief complaint, as the tour progresses it seems to get very stale, like old bread.  As if life before 2005 never happened for the band.  An Evening with MMJ should be career spanning to me not just a basic run thru of the fan favs and new material.  I'm not a hater, just a huge fan reporting on the scene as I observed it.

How many times have you seen them on this tour? This was my second MMJ show ever and thought it was amazing, better than the first time in fact. If you're getting sick of seeing them then don't go anymore.

again...a shitty argument.  "If you dont like it don't go."

It's called criticism - it's allowed.  You need to push the band to make them better.  If they don't change, maybe some people will leave.  But until then, let people have their voice - and if your going to dispute what someone says, have some backing to what you say. Otherwise it's just bickering and takes away from the idea of having a DISCUSSION.  

.....imagine a My Morning Jacket show where you didn't know if you were going to hear Golden, OFT, OBH or Wordless and knew it was more than possible they would play Come Closer, Stangulation, At Dawn or X-Mas Curtin.  

Don't they get bored?  Guess not...

Why would I need to backup what I say? I believe the show was amazing because it was. What kind of explanation do you want?

[jeffro79]

I was there. It was my first MMJ show. It was an amazing show. I got there at 1:30. I got to go in early and listen to the sound check. While leaving, we got a poster autographed by the band.



Even if the show would have sucked, that would make it the best show I've ever been to. :)

i think i talked to you guys a bit in line, west virginia? glad you had a good time.
heres what i posted in another thread about the show:
we got to the venue about 3 and really lucked out and were given wrist bands to a radio promo/sound check sneak peak. we heard I'm Amazed-Thank You Too-At Dawn with a crowd of about 20-25 and all recieved a signed EU poster.  the show itself was great, closest i've ever been! even the badly singing, rude, drunk girl who insisted on trying to get our spot on the rail couldnt rain on my parade! although i defiantly think she seriously may have  ruined 5-10 peoples show.

p.s. best off the record i've seen and dondante as good as louisville 8/16