Handel's Messiah @ The Kennedy Center 12/21/08

Hokay, so not quite as good as Ra Ra Riot, but still respectable.  It sounded good!  But the following are the reasons why it could have been a bit better:

1.   $10 for RRR, $20 for Handel

2.  I could stand next to Roxie at RRR, Had to sit BEHIND Roxie at Handel

3.  Could see entire stage at RRR, could see appx. half at Handel*

4.  Knew every RRR song, Knew 2:34 of Hallelujah from Handel

5.  Dance party time with RRR, Sit and chill a few feet from the ceiling at Handel

6.  Was 20 feet from RRR and at same level, 520 feet from Handel and 100 feet in the air

7.  Telecasters at RRR, no telecasters at Handel

8.  Lyrics in regular English at RRR, lyrics in Ye Olde English at Handel

9.  Had to climb 5 steps to go to the bathroom at RRR, Had climb up four flights of steps for out seats at Handel

10. PARTY TIME banner at RRR, No PARTY TIME banner at Handel

* In all fairness there is a huge beam in front of the Ottobar stage

In conclusion, Handel's Messiah sounded awesome even if only 2/3 of it was actually seen, but if you are heading down to the Kennedy Center to see the orchestra anytime soon, pay for more than the cheapest ticket.  It will be worth being able to sit next to who you go with!

Ra Ra Riot @ The Ottobar 12/16/08

First up : Princeton

I could see them having hard time rising above the Vampire Weekend comparison with the Ivy League reference, similar simplicity, and often used afro-beats. But, from what I have read about Vampire Weekend's live shows, Princeton certainly has them beat in that arena. They got some bodies shaking, had guest spots with members of Ra Ra Riot, and even spontaneously threw a guitar to the ground. No complaints here. The drummer also looked like Adam Brody, which may or many not be a plus depending on your man taste.

Second: So Many Dynamos

I think there were going for some sort of experimental/dance rock mash up. But all I could focus on was the singer's rather annoying voice that seemed like it belonged on Warped Tour. And when they got bitchy with the sound guy about the exact level of vocals in their monitors, it was game over for me. Permanently filed under : Emo-haired assholes

Third: Ra Ra Riot

AMAZING SHOW. Tons of energy and sweeping melodies. The cellist and violinist were exceptionally good instrumentalists which I guess is why Ra Ra Riot can form so many songs around their instruments instead of a typical lead guitar. There was plenty of moving and grooving despite the fact that there were six of them on the somewhat tiny Ottobar stage. They did make me wait a while to hear Ghost Under Rocks, but still didn't save it for the last song or the encore. In fact, the encore was two songs from their first EP and not included on the Rhumb Line. I noticed a few people intensely singing along, but most were like me, just happy to hear more even if they didn't know the words. The encore also called out all of the members of the other bands in a last call to close out the tour. The highlight bar far was the "Party Time" banner that emerged, not surpringly carried out the the brothers from Princeton. The night ended with Ra Ra Riot's lead singer Wes wearing as a cape as he exited the stage.

Ra Ra Riot:

Everybody:

links!

Ra Ra Riot

Princeton

So Many Dynamos

CHANGES ARE COMING

BEWARE!