Avett Brothers video/Fillmore shows in May

Michael — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:43:23 +0000

I’ve been an avid Avett Brothers fan ever since Emotionalism made my Best of 2007 list but sinister forces have conspired to prevent me from catching their live show, which I hear is spectacular. That will certainly change when they play the Fillmore two nights in May (Friday the 15th & Saturday the 16th). Rumor has it Magnolia Electric Co. will be opening. What a night of alt-folk bliss! Tickets go on sale this Sunday @ 10 AM. The video below comes from a nifty little corner of Bruce Springsteen’s website called Hangin’ Out On E Street where an eclectic assortment of folks (Ted Leo, Wylcef Jean & Birdmonster to name a few) present their take on the Boss and wax reverent about his influence on their careers. Guess whoever’s in charge was unaware that Sleater-Kinney used to do a rippin’ cover of “Promised Land.” God I miss those ladies…

I love how the stock clerks rockin’ the storeroom look fits perfectly with Bruce’s blue collar oeuvre. How much fun would it be to jump behind that drum kit?

More tour dates at the Avett’s website.

Love vs Hate

Michael — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:15:00 +0000

For a battle as old as humankind I’m having a hard time thinking of songs that explore the classic duel between love & hate. No one would deny that love by itself is the most prolific muse in any art form, let alone pop music. Hate has inspired its fair share of memorable songs as well (“Positively 4th Street” and “You Oughta Know” spring instantly to mind). But what about songs examining the relationship between the two? The subplot of Good vs. Evil gets plenty of play if we’re talking about heavy metal or video game soundtracks but the pop world largely shies away from the subject. I’ve thought of the two songs below as thematically linked for some time and hopefully they’ll stoke the fires of discourse with you, kind reader.

Ballad Of Love And Hate – The Avett Brothers

The seventh record form this Concord, NC trio made my Best of 2007 list. The song’s a heartbreaker about how L&H are inextricably intertwined, depicting them as a dysfunctional couple.

“Love writes a letter and sends it to hate.
My vacations ending I’m coming home late.”/
“Hate reads the letter and throws it away.
No one here cares if you go or you stay.”

and later:

Love has been waiting patient and kind.
Just wanting a phone call or some kind of sign.
That the one that she cares for who’s out of his mind
Will make it back safe to her arms.
Hate stumbles forward and leans in the door.
Weary head hung down, eyes to the floor
He says, “Love I’m sorry” and she says, “What for?”
“I’m yours and that’s it, forever”

Happy Noodle vs. Sad Noodle – Logan Whitehurst & The JSC

From the serious to a seriously whimsical take on the good & evil side of things. In the end happy and sad can’t really do without each other. Heartbreaking in that Logan was a truly gifted individual who left us too soon. The humor evident here pervades all his material. A rich stockpile can be found here.

If you can think of any more musical explorations on the theme of love vs. hate, good & evil, Cain & Abel, whatever leave a comment! If they can be on the same t-shirt they must be in the same song…

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Avett Brothers video/Fillmore shows in May

Love vs Hate