Pearl Jam @ MSG II, 6/25/08

Pearl Jam have the best fans in the world, no questions asked. What an amazing experience, I don't think I can say which night was better. There were 11 song repeats from the previous night so there is certainly something to be said for hearing them the first time but then again, I had better seats last night. Highlights, aside from the obvious, included leading off with "Release," "Garden" and of course, the lady appreciated the "Wishlist" and "Last Kiss" inclusions. And come to think of it, Ace Frehley (KISS) owned "Black Diamond."

Set 1
Release, World Wide Suicide, Severed Hand, Corduroy, All Night, Cropduster, Garden, Marker In The Sand, I'm Open, Wishlist, State Of Love And Trust, Even Flow, Who You Are, Rats, Given To Fly, Do The Evolution, Go
Encore 1
Inside Job, W.M.A., Lukin, I Believe In Miracles (w/ CJ Ramone on bass), Better Man(Save it for Later), Rearviewmirror
Encore 2
No More, Last Kiss, Why Go, Black Diamond (w/ Ace Frehley on lead guitar), Alive, Yellow Ledbetter/Star Spangled Banner

Pearl Jam @ MSG I, 6/24/08

Really, how many bands exist today where you can truly say after each show that it might be your favorite? For as long as I've been a die hard PJ fan, I've been looking forward to the chance of seeing them in the Garden. This one didn't disappoint. You always expect a little more with a show at the Garden and Pearl Jam delivered. "Present Tense" alone makes this show's download worth buying. See you guys again at MSG II (fingers crossed that my meeting happens on the early side tonight).

Set 1
Hard To Imagine, Save You, Why Go, All Night, Corduroy, Faithfull, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Down, Unemployable, Given To Fly, Who You Are, Whipping, 1/2 Full, Even Flow, Present Tense, Daughter, Do The Evolution

Encore 1
Love Reign O'er Me, W.M.A., Leash, Spin The Black Circle, Wasted Reprise, Porch

Encore 2
No More, Crazy Mary, Comatose, I Believe In Miracles w/ CJ Ramone, Alive

Encore 3
All Along The Watchtower, Indifference

Cloud Cult on Last Call Tonight

Cloud Cult will be performing on Last Call with Carson Daly tonight (Thursday). This will likely be the only reason I'll ever watch this show but hey, they booked one of my favorite bands so that says something right?

The performance will feature live painting (let's hope it's a long song) and rather than auction it off after the show, it will be available on eBay starting this Saturday. No word on weather Craig's stuff will also be available. Cue "Journey for the Featherless."

New Franz Ferdinand (sort of)

Head over to the Franz site for a streaming loop of what I'm guessing is a song called "Trigger 8." No vocal layers yet but I like what I'm hearing thus far.

Miscellaneous

~ Coldplay has sold over 30 million records which is a pretty staggering number in this day and age. EMI/Capitol would have you believe that they carry the weight of the world on the shoulders with this upcoming release. Of course it's going to be a let down in some way. That said, I think they've done a solid job with the new album. It seems to lack those big sing-a-long choruses which may turn off their casual fans and the lyrics are still terrible but there's quite a bit of quality in the music to be found here. The new album will be streaming on their MySpace page later today.

~ Despite the critical acclaim, I've really had very little interest in any of Deerhunter's recorded material. However, the two songs now playing on their MySpace page show a very different direction and both are damn good. It seems their new album Microcastle has leaked without, I believe, a release date.

~ I really dislike the NBA (Kobe especially) but how can you not watch the Finals? I'm in.

~ Not surprisingly, Pitchfork has given the Fleet Foxes s/t debut a Best New Music tag and a 9.0. I know I've mentioned this before but for all of the terrible things that Pitchfork is known for (e.g., never read one of their reviews of a band you like - you'll only be disappointed, Amy Phillips, etc.), I still count on them to find new bands. Fleet Foxes was one of them. The Sun Giant EP is awesome. I don't think the s/t is better but I've got tickets to see them next month and am really looking forward to it.

~ If this iPhone 2.0 is anything like the rumors suggest, Verizon and I will be parting ways after 9 good years.

WuChess

This cracked me up. You, too, can play for an annual fee of $48.

WuChess.com is the worlds first online chess and Hip-Hop community. You can create and share profiles with your friends and triumph over enemies on the 64 squares. Not just against people in your neighborhood but from all over the world.

Play live chess with people from all over the world and get your learn on.

WuChess.com lets you get knowledge from REAL chess masters online, or train in chambers against the computer to refine your skills.

Create your own chess clans to see who can build the highest ranking. Play in tournaments for prizes, or just for the joy of flexin' ya mentals.

At Wuchess.com you can log-on to watch chess clans do battle on and check out exhibition matches with Rza, other Wu-Tang members and stars from across the planet.

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