Lolla and Leaving

Finally back from a grand week's vacation that included Lolla and getting locked out for nearly a week (who says church isn't fun?) and while this year's incarnation wasn't as explosive a good time as last year's, thanks to muffled sound on certain key acts and unnecessarily cruel scheduling conflicts, it was still a blast. Some highlights were sitting watching Mates of State with my lady, drinking ice cold white wine while the sun set behind the skyline backdrop, Jeff Tweedy playing an acoustic set at the kid's tent, and finally getting to see the National live. All were great, as was Gogol Bordello, who are absolutely batshit insane live -- go-go dancers, whistles and screams, drummers with Indian headdresses and shirtless Ukrainian lead singers with spectacular mustaches running around in a whirl -- they hands down win the award for most entertaining act caught over the weekend, and are an absolute must to see live. (So keep your eyes peeled for when they're coming to your neck of the woods.)

One nice discovery was Rogue Wave from the Bay Area in California, who sound a little like Band of Horses live -- beautiful melodies, plinking treble guitar lines, and the soaring voice of lead singer Zach Rogue. Really cool stuff -- check out the tune Lake Michigan off their newest album here:




The main thing occupying my time since my return has been Whit's departure to Spain for a year, which has naturally left me in a state without my best friend at my side. As a result, the tunes captivating my ears have been ones that resonate in the ole ticker, part sadness, part soaring hope, and I'll leave you with a little medley in case you find yourself in similar straits. First up is a little acoustic ditty from Bright Eyes from a couple years back, Lua. It's a simple melody (believe me -- I've been playing it on guitar endlessly lately) with beautiful melancholy lyrics and Conor Oberst's hushed vocals -- perfect for those bruised moments where a soft whisper's all you can muster.




Next is another track off the new Coldplay album -- I'm telling you, I want to hate them as much as everyone else, but there are just some damned good songs on there, no matter how annoying Chris Martin is with his British whine and faux-militaristic garb. This one's part of a great run at the end of the album and has all you could ever want from the band -- pretty guitar lines, resonant lyrics, and Martin's soothing croon. Its soaring emotion helps you off the canvas a little bit and convinces you that things just might not be that bad after all.




The final track in this medley is an old Decemberists favorite of mine, As I Rise, a song that completes the cycle from bludgeoned despair to buoyant hope and the certainty that things are going to be just fine. This one is pure prettiness -- Colin Meloy's voice and lyrics, finger-picked banjos and guitars, and an old saloon piano shuffling along in the background. Turn this one up and sing along, for things truly will be just fine -- la di dah, la dah...