MP3: Spoon – Small Stakes Spoon’s set at Voodoo was probably the second best I’ve seen them play. I’m a sucker for Kill the Moonlight material, and they brought out plenty. I remember rocking out to “Small Stakes” and “The Way We Get By” specifically. The new material sounded good as well. Unlike Lollapalooza, where [...]

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It’s just about time for the kiddies to start trick or treating. As Andrew Bird points out in a completely unrelated-to-Halloween song, there’s no reason to be afraid. MP3: Andrew Bird – Don’t Be Scared

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Coming off a lackluster performance on Conan, Ghostland Observatory reminded me why I fell in love with them to begin with: their live show. The tent was overflowing both with people and anticipation for the Austin duo. After they took the stage guys fist-pumped and girls grinded to the voice of Behrens and beats of [...]

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I’ve always joked that I’ve skipped Ben Harper more times that most of his fans have seen him. Cruel, I know. I finally decided to end the streak and see him at Voodoo. I’m still not really a fan, but the guy knows how to put on a good show.

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On the list of things I never thought I’d get to experience in my life, seeing Rage Against the Machine ranked somewhere just below playing Twister with Scarlett Johansson. Say what you will about how the band reformation bandwagon is milking the cash cow, but when the groups are as flawless as Rage were at [...]

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I’m tossing up a couple of my favorite Halloween tunes so as to psych myself up for making my costume. It’s slow goings, but I have faith it can be done. All I know is that I’m not doing any last-minute costumes like last year (Zombie John Lennon). MP3: Evangelicals – The Halloween Song

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Happy Halloween! I figured the Cramps would be a pretty fitting way to start off the day. Lux just screams Halloween, after all. So what’re you going as for halloween? I’ll be the Swedish Chef if I can get my act together by tonight.

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Ah, M.I.A. Is there anything she can’t do? Her new record Kala is full of greatness, and her live show only amps up that energy. This was the first time I’d gotten to see a full set of hers, as with both Lollapallooza and ACL sets I was either rushing to or from somewhere else. [...]

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I think it was my friend Andrew who said it best: “I don’t think most guys could do as good of a job at hitting Plant’s vocals as that chick did.” I went to check out Lez Zeppelin somewhat on a whim. Their name always makes me smile when I restock the CD at work; [...]

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