da_craw

This article was on ESPN.com today.  No duh - Bobby Bowden thinks it's too harsh that FSU is being asked to forfeit victories.  Really?  Why did the AP waste its time on that?  Now if Bowden supported it, that would've been news.  Hey AP - here's a story idea for you - all coaches polled really want to win all their games every season.  That's News!!!!



The snark is full on today because I'm running on about 4 hours of sleep after SXSW.  It was much easier when a. I was younger, and b. I was in school in Austin so that 6:30 wake-up call wasn't a necessity.  Anyway, this is what I've seen so far  (all of which was at Stubb's, which appears to be my destination for 3 out of the 4 nights of SXSW) -

5 minutes of Janelle Monae - it was pretty cool, but having heard only the tail end of a song, I can't tell you how avant or experimental the set was.

30 minutes of stage hands, and then - Ladyhawke - during which I learned that New Zealand is in a time warp 25 years behind the US.  Actually, I get the same message from Flight of the Conchords, so maybe it's true.  I'm not the hugest fan of synth pop, but I actually liked Ladyhawke, so there you go.

Following them was Heartless Bastards - aside from the first song in their set (which seemed pretty cool, and sadly, different from everything else they played), they really came across as just generic rock to me.  Unoffensive, but I wouldn't go out of my way to hear it again.

Then, the Avett Brothers.  The best description I have for them - a more yelly version of the Decemberists with far less clever lyrics.  My wife pointed out how similar they were, and questioned why the schedulers would do that.

Finally, the Decemberists themselves, playing the entirety of their new album live.  I haven't heard anything from the album, but if the live show is any indication, it's their Thick as a Brick.  45 minutes of basically one song with different themes and musical styles (combining the Decemberists usual more quirky acoustic sound with Black Sabbath-esque 70's metal), and returning to themes throughout.  It was pretty darn good, though I think some fans will be turned off by the change in style.  I liked it, and as did my wife (who has gotten Decemberist-ed out before) and she also pointed out that this album seems to be attracting the attention and good reviews of those who previously thought they were just a little too clever and quirky.  Me, I think it's just an excuse for Colin Meloy to rock out all Tommy Iommi style, and I'm cool with that.

Tonight - back to Stubb's for the triple bill of Meat Puppets, Gomez, and Andrew Bird . . .