Comments on: Tweed Rock: Department of Eagles and The Walkmen http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/ can you believe we're still posting? Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:46:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: Fancy Dan http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51936 Fancy Dan Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:56:06 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51936 That makes sense. I've seen good bands having bad nights, but I also tend to enjoy myself anyway since certain songs sound good even while played badly. I'll never forget hearing a godawful version of God Only Knows by some pop-punk band, and the song still managed to move me because the chord changes and lyrics are so undeniably beautiful. In my mind, certain songs are almost impossible to screw up, which is why I was surprised you saw such a bad show. For me personally I could listen to Rockapella doing a terrible version of The Rat, and I'd still be into it! By the way, "Lullabies in Ragtime & Post-Punk in 3/4" is the best description of The Walkment I've ever heard yet! That makes sense. I’ve seen good bands having bad nights, but I also tend to enjoy myself anyway since certain songs sound good even while played badly. I’ll never forget hearing a godawful version of God Only Knows by some pop-punk band, and the song still managed to move me because the chord changes and lyrics are so undeniably beautiful. In my mind, certain songs are almost impossible to screw up, which is why I was surprised you saw such a bad show. For me personally I could listen to Rockapella doing a terrible version of The Rat, and I’d still be into it!

By the way, “Lullabies in Ragtime & Post-Punk in 3/4″ is the best description of The Walkment I’ve ever heard yet!

]]> By: Todd http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51925 Todd Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:20:38 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51925 Well, Scotter, can you really blame 'em? I mean, what band actually looks forward to playing in Detroit? Oh snap! Seriously though, I've been impressed every time I've seen the Walkmen live, and I'm usually mesmerized by the bulging vein on Leithauser's neck throughout the show (it's bound to pop one of these days). But if a band's just not connecting, ain't nuthin' you can do about it. Play it safe and just enjoy the record if that works for you. Well, Scotter, can you really blame ‘em? I mean, what band actually looks forward to playing in Detroit? Oh snap!

Seriously though, I’ve been impressed every time I’ve seen the Walkmen live, and I’m usually mesmerized by the bulging vein on Leithauser’s neck throughout the show (it’s bound to pop one of these days). But if a band’s just not connecting, ain’t nuthin’ you can do about it. Play it safe and just enjoy the record if that works for you.

]]> By: Scotter http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51863 Scotter Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:32:14 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51863 Fancy, perhaps the one time I saw the Walkmen must have been a really bad off night for them, because it was a very blah show. Everybody I know who went to that particular show--even people who love The Walkmen and have seen them several times--thought it was a bad show. The singer just didn't want to be there, and it was very, very obvious. The problem is that others have said either "yeah, they were exactly like this when I saw them a year ago" or "I can't believe they were so good before and this was terrible." So while your point about "good art is supposed to make you feel something whether positive or negative" is absolutely true (I'm thinking Philip Glass/John Cage), in this case, perhaps it was an instance of a really, really good band having a very, very bad night. Fancy, perhaps the one time I saw the Walkmen must have been a really bad off night for them, because it was a very blah show. Everybody I know who went to that particular show–even people who love The Walkmen and have seen them several times–thought it was a bad show. The singer just didn’t want to be there, and it was very, very obvious. The problem is that others have said either “yeah, they were exactly like this when I saw them a year ago” or “I can’t believe they were so good before and this was terrible.”

So while your point about “good art is supposed to make you feel something whether positive or negative” is absolutely true (I’m thinking Philip Glass/John Cage), in this case, perhaps it was an instance of a really, really good band having a very, very bad night.

]]> By: Fancy Dan http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51851 Fancy Dan Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:43:24 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51851 I've only seen The Walkmen once, but it was seriously one of most amazing live music experiences I've had. It's hard for me to imagine them putting on a bad show, since they are such an interesting band. This reminds me of when I worked at a video store for many years and people would come in and say stuff like, Magnolia is the worst movie I've ever seen! I can understand people not liking certain things, but how could something so original be considered the absolute worst. I would save the word "worst" for something that is an insult to your intelligence. At the same time good art is supposed to make you feel something whether it's postive or negative, so at least The Walkmen succeeded in that way. If it was the most lukewarm concert you've ever been to, then I'd really be worried! I’ve only seen The Walkmen once, but it was seriously one of most amazing live music experiences I’ve had. It’s hard for me to imagine them putting on a bad show, since they are such an interesting band. This reminds me of when I worked at a video store for many years and people would come in and say stuff like, Magnolia is the worst movie I’ve ever seen! I can understand people not liking certain things, but how could something so original be considered the absolute worst. I would save the word “worst” for something that is an insult to your intelligence. At the same time good art is supposed to make you feel something whether it’s postive or negative, so at least The Walkmen succeeded in that way. If it was the most lukewarm concert you’ve ever been to, then I’d really be worried!

]]> By: Scotter http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51711 Scotter Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:33:17 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51711 I've just listened to "In The New Year" for the 15th time. I've made two decisions: 1. I'm going to buy an awesome organ and a really overpowering cabinet amp to play it through. Will that work? I don't know gear. I just want that organ sound in everything I play from now on. 2. I think I'm never going to see The Walkmen again--seriously, that show was one of the worst I've ever seen. But I think it's ok to love a band's music and keep it at that, without going to see them live. Maybe they just had a really bad show when I saw them, but I won't allow myself to fall in love with this album then have it ruined by another bad show. I'll love The Walkmen from afar, I think. I’ve just listened to “In The New Year” for the 15th time. I’ve made two decisions:

1. I’m going to buy an awesome organ and a really overpowering cabinet amp to play it through. Will that work? I don’t know gear. I just want that organ sound in everything I play from now on.

2. I think I’m never going to see The Walkmen again–seriously, that show was one of the worst I’ve ever seen. But I think it’s ok to love a band’s music and keep it at that, without going to see them live. Maybe they just had a really bad show when I saw them, but I won’t allow myself to fall in love with this album then have it ruined by another bad show. I’ll love The Walkmen from afar, I think.

]]> By: z0zzy http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51709 z0zzy Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:55:17 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51709 i actually agree with scotter...for once. the past 3 times i've seen the walkmen they've been awful. i actually agree with scotter…for once. the past 3 times i’ve seen the walkmen they’ve been awful.

]]> By: Todd http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51652 Todd Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:27:44 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51652 Ha ha, yeah, it's the obligatory "autumn makes me want to listen to autumnal music" intro. Neil Young is perfect in this regard -- did you ever pick up Live at Massey Hall 1971 last year? Sooo good. Surprised to hear you had a negative Walkmen concert experience; they've blown me away every time I've seen them. Hopefully the new album will re-convert you. Ha ha, yeah, it’s the obligatory “autumn makes me want to listen to autumnal music” intro. Neil Young is perfect in this regard — did you ever pick up Live at Massey Hall 1971 last year? Sooo good.

Surprised to hear you had a negative Walkmen concert experience; they’ve blown me away every time I’ve seen them. Hopefully the new album will re-convert you.

]]> By: Scotter http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/comment-page-1/#comment-51650 Scotter Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:08:20 +0000 http://www.post-rockist.com/2008/10/20/tweed-rock-department-of-eagles-and-the-walkmen/#comment-51650 Nice words, Todd. I'm pretty sure we've both written a version of your first paragraph for the last two falls--like it's cyclical or something! The good news is that those nostalgic feelings that come with the falling of the leaves are always accompanied by good new music (and the old ones: I suddenly have a strong urge to listen to Neil Young Unplugged). When I last saw The Walkman, it was such a bad show that I decided to refrain from writing about it and swore them off forever. But after watching and listening to "The New Year," I'm pretty sure I'm going to get into that album in a big way. Nice words, Todd. I’m pretty sure we’ve both written a version of your first paragraph for the last two falls–like it’s cyclical or something! The good news is that those nostalgic feelings that come with the falling of the leaves are always accompanied by good new music (and the old ones: I suddenly have a strong urge to listen to Neil Young Unplugged).

When I last saw The Walkman, it was such a bad show that I decided to refrain from writing about it and swore them off forever. But after watching and listening to “The New Year,” I’m pretty sure I’m going to get into that album in a big way.

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