Phoenix at Vanderbilt University 4/25/10

After three years of want, two rounds of tries, I can finally say I've seen Phoenix live in concert. Vanderbilt University's annual Rite of Spring festival continues to attract some impressive acts, a lot more impressive than Hopkins' list of washed up or unheard of headliners--State Radio, Bone Thugs N Harmony, O.A.R, etc etc etc. It's good to see a university that actually caters to their students and funds a way for them to have fun.

Phoenix was among a pretty awesome two-day lineup. Right before Phoenix's set was the Cold War Kids, who played their hearts out. After Phoenix was the much anticipated Drake (yes, the rapper). The next day had Passion Pit and Ben Harper, both of whom I'd like to see but conflicted with a NASCAR race (yes, they are athletes and no, I did not partake). Phoenix was AMAZING and totally worth every pretty spent penny and standing outside amidst an impending tornado watch. Basically, they played every song from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, including both parts of "Love Like A Sunset," "Consolation Prizes," and my two favorite songs, "Long Distance Call" and "If I Ever Feel Better." They were full of French charm, calmly telling the audience "Merci Beaucoup" after most songs and to "shake it" for their designated dance tune, "Girlfriend." Phoenix sounded so good and so experienced, controlled and played off the mood of the audience beautifully. Thomas Mars even climbed pretty high up on the scaffolding way above the crowd. The audience was really into it, or they were really into Drake, or they were really shitfaced. Whichever, they were basically ready to mosh, dancing around as if they were clubbing, and throwing around glow-in-the-dark balls and whatnot. I enjoyed it so much and my only complaint was that it was way too short--less than an hour!

About Vanderbilt: the campus is beautiful--though I only saw it in the dark, wandering around lost, it reminds me of an Ivy with its brick buildings and walkways hidden behind trees. The people also reminds me of the Ivy's--stuck up rich kids living off Daddy's trust fund--obviously a generalization but pretty much true nonetheless. Also, everyone was unusually tall. Typically I have no problems seeing the stage but I could barely even find a slit of clear view. Vandy kids were also really rude and were talking through the entire concert. We were jammed in the back or pushed off balance every other minute because one person needs to throw up and the other is trying to rave, probably the most annoying thing while trying to enjoy a concert, not to mention the concert I've been the most eager to see.

In essence, Phoenix was incredible but seeing them at Vanderbilt sucked ass. I'd love to see them again at a real venue. I also apologize for posting this so late (government obligations, my bad) and the shitty quality of my pictures.

New Music: She & Him - Volume Two

Sometimes when an album contains many good songs mixed in with some mediocre but listenable ones, I mistakenly think that the entire album is certified gold. When I heard the sweet and breezy Volume Two, though I quickly thought it was one of the best albums I've ever heard, I waited to form an opinion so that I could listen to it over and over again and pick out what were really long-lasting hits.

And there are many of them in Volume Two. The flow of this album is absolutely fantastic. I listen to it over and over again without suffering ear fatigue. The only odd placement in the album is the opener, "Thieves," which I love, but is really heavy and gloomy and doesn't have the same atmosphere as the other lightweight tracks. It's still one of the standouts of the album, along with "Home," "In the Sun," and my absolute favorite, "Lingering Still."

Overall, this album is so good. It's produced masterfully to leave a rich sound but still raw enough to hear sincerity. I've had Volume Two on repeat for the entire week and the songs still haven't gotten old. The only complaint is that it's a little too cutesy, like you can hear Zooey Deschanel's voice doing twirls and curtsies as she sings lyrics, but what else do you expect from Zooey Deschanel? Regardless, I think this album is so crisp and fresh and a gem for the summer, sun and beyond.

American Idol

Has any one been paying attention to American Idol recently? It's virtually considered America's new favorite pastime nowadays. Anyway, there was a contestant voted off a couple weeks ago who had, what I thought, the most memorable voice. Don't judge him on the fact he was sporting a mullet or that he performs as stiff as a powdered shirt or that he slightly resembles Sondre Lerche, but that he has unmasked, pure talent.



Tough luck, Alex.

Spoon at Work Play 3/19/10

When I was at the Workplay Theater last, I thought it was most swanky venue I've ever been to. The mood was mellow, the drinks were mad expensive (albeit delicious), and Sondre was strumming an acoustic and singing to an attentive and polite audience sitting at dim, candle-lit booths and tables. So, I had a very hard time imagining a Spoon concert in the same atmosphere. Apparently, that was the "work" part of the theater and Spoon was in the "play," basically a ballroom, fitted with curtained ceilings and a glass chandelier, and a raised platform for a stage--a little less swanky. Actually, it felt like a frat party. The audience was also really random, from professional twenty-somethings to teens dragging their parents along to that middle aged couple drunk out of their mind and blabbering about god-knows-what.

Spoon came out about at about 10:45 and they were ready to play. They only said a quick "Hello, Birmingham" and went directly into the jam. I didn't really do my homework with this concert so I really had no idea what songs they were playing at the beginning. But, towards the middle, they started playing their hits like "I Turn My Camera On," "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb," and songs from their latest album, Transference. My personal favorite was "Finer Feelings," boppy and catchy, and when they slowed it down for "Black Like Me." The crowd was feeling good, but the band did not really play off the audience whatsoever. In fact, they could have been rehearsing in a garage. The only thing the lead singer said during the concert was, "Pretty good, huh?" Yes, it was pretty good--very good, in fact--those guys can really play. But I paid thirty bucks for a show, not just a repeat of what I've already heard on my iPod. Regardless, it was a good, and ungodly long, concert, roughly an hour and half of music not including the probable encore which I did not stay.

The best part of the night was when the lead singer's guitar string broke during the first song and he managed to retune and sing at the same time. You can't mask pure talent.

Next up is hopefully a glimpse of the Nashville music scene, which is just packed full of good upcoming shows--Vampire Weekend (which is, of course, sold out), Joanna Newsom, Julian Casablancas and Beach House--but all, unfortunately, happening on weekdays. Hopefully, Phoenix (!!!!) at Vanderbilt on April 23 is still a go.

Meanwhile in Huntsville, Uncle Kracker is coming to town--yay or nay?

Sondre Lerche at Work Play (2/12/10) and Music Updates Down South

Thank god there's still good music wherever I go. Sondre Lerche with buddy JBM stopped by Birmingham's Work Play Theatre on 2/12 during his extended Heartbeat Radio tour. Who knows how a scrawny Norwegian singer/songwriter braved the American Deep South? His concert was awesome, as usual, selling the Alabama crowd with his stage charisma. And yes, he was wearing an extremely low V-neck tee, but whatever, hipsters. Particularly, I liked his rendition of "My Hands Are Shaking," "Say It All," both of which I've seen done at D.C. Surprisingly, he left out popular new songs, such as personal favorites "I Cannot Let You Go" and "If Only," for nontraditional ones like "Happy Birthday Girl" and a very acoustic version of "Phantom Punch," with only Sondre on guitar and JBM on half a drumset. It amazes me how he transforms the lush instrumental songs from Heartbeat Radio or punky/poppy songs from Phantom Punch, to a rendition with only a voice and a guitar. Unfortunately, I again arrived too late to see JBM's opening performance (apparently 23rd St and 23rd St South are worlds apart), but from what I hear he's one to watch as well.

By the way, Work Play Theatre is the poshest venue I've ever been. I was expecting the usual standing room only but this place had only tables and booths. Everyone was sitting down and sipping drinks. Kind of unusual, but very nice nonetheless.

Speaking of good music coming near, PHOENIX IS COMING TO NASHVILLE, TN, and maybe to a city near you in their new Spring tour. Spoon is also dropping by Birmingham 3/19. By the way, way up in snowy D.C., the Kings of Convenience concert was delayed until 6/6/10. Anyone interested in going?

New(ish) Music: Rooney - Wild One EP

Rooney's EP has been out for a while but has only been released this past week on iTunes. This EP is not a complete 180 from their past material--it still has the catchy riffs and melodies that Rooney's known for--but maybe a 105 so. I love the folksy, almost (dare I say it?) country twang of the new EP. This album is smooth and an exciting peek into their new and, hopefully, more mature and deeper album coming out in the spring.

Rooney - Wild One EP

1. Suckceed

2. I Don't Understand

3. Wild One
Written and sung by the drummer, Ned Brower, the titular song is about one of Brower's mentors and role models who was killed during a dispute with a neighbor. The guitar line really brings out the sorrow of the song and the twin melody tells of the confusion, frustration, grief, and loss. It's thoughtfully and tastefully written and performed with just enough heart.

4. The Days Keep Going By
The bread and butter of Rooney is their songs gaining/losing love. This is just that, except about 10 years more advanced than their older stuff. It's simple and does justice to their new older image.

Bottom line: It's worth the money and the listen, for new and old Rooney fans alike.

Where the Wild Ones Are

Not to transgress from my heritage's tradition to see 2009 as year of Ox, but here in The Grill I announce 2009 was truly the year of Wild.

Starting off with Where the Wild Things are for my Hopkins dormitory floor theme.


getting my wild hand tattoo which was just a temporary rebellion.


the release of Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are, which brought many discussion about the level of children friendliness and re-evaluating the original children book written by Maurice Sendak.


the wild act of nature that graced upon northern east coast. The snow storm suspended everyone's anticipated departure from Hopkins for holiday season by few dates. On the other hand, I secretly enjoyed having people around for few extra days.


and the Wild One concert!


actually.... this Wild One!
Although Rooney is the first band to break through my innocence in popular music I would have not made any effort to purchase ticket and get my cold body wrapped up in jackets to listen to them in live. Again, all the sincere thanks to Wenli.

The group's forte is in strong vocal and overall performance have attract people to their live concerts, but in contrary the song Wild One did not shine enough on the stage to wake up the audience's interest. More or less it left us dubious on how we should react to the flow of the music.

The song's subtle yet catchy verse nicely suited the drummer Ned Brower's light and sorrowful vocal debut. Robert Schwartzman is also an excellent drummer. There was no doubt about the overall performance of the group, nevertheless the songs from newly released EP could not make smoothly transition from the preceding songs that harvest much liveliness, which was the factor that are loved by younger crowd.

The Wild One is much mature (as Wenli and I both agreed) of Rooney's previous selection that we believe in soon time the songs will reach much larger group of audience. Beyond any doubt the tight construction in multiplicity of the melody and expressive vocal parts makes Wild One to be worthy enough for 37 repeats on my iTune per day.

Upcoming Concert Listing for D.C.

Why is it that the ONLY 15 weeks I will be out of the Baltimore/D.C. Area in 3.5 years is the 15 weeks full of AMAZING concerts? I mean, absolutely incredible artists like Wilco and Kings of Convenience who I've been waiting to see live for years. Here's the short list of hot concerts. Please go so I can live vicariously through you while I wallow away in Huntsville.

1/25 CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG @ 930 Club (D.C.)
2/15 KINGS OF CONVENIENCE @ 930 Club
2/20 NOUVELLE VAGUE @ 930 Club
2/24 ST. VINCENT @ 930 Club
3/5 SONDRE LERCHE @ Rock and Roll Hotel (D.C)
3/17 AIR @ 930 Club
3/30 WILCO @ The Music Center (N. Bethesda, MD)
4/3 VAMPIRE WEEKEND @ D.A.R. Constitution Hall (D.C.)

The Link: Juhee and Music

Having a friend with critical sense of music and passion to dissect the history behind the origin of songs and its reflection on our surrounding is unique and yet startling for those who lack them. Even my heavy background of classical music training and mediocre talent in music did not encourage me to explore this medium. When there is a failing relationship between the person and the subject of interest, we often have difficulty finding a language to elaborate on the topic with an objective voice. With this such nature, in combination with my “take it or leave it” personality, music was left aside and only revisited from time to time.

Don’t get me wrong. I love music, or more so I admire music. The problem is that I play favorites with it and it is unavoidable to hide with my frank expression. Also, the ever growing population in popular music industry has created varying strands of music rather than contributing to the evolution of the music (not the music industry). I see this as a limited choice for a person (not the customer), so I often turn back to my Pandora station or old recording of classical tunes until Wenli knocks on my door. Today, I enjoyed my breakfast bowl of piping hot chicken noodle soup listening to the music that Wenli listed on New Year post. I stopped the slurps for intriguing tunes and sometimes shifted my attention to busily fishing out slimy noodles when a song was not meeting my interest. Again and again, I listen to them again.