BBBECKTRON

Recommender Systems

2009-04-29T22:11:00.010-07:00

Internet users encounter what are referred to as recommender systems on a daily basis. Sites like Amazon, Pandora, Netflix, Last.fm are a few of the pioneers in employing highly-functioning, advanced and accurate recommender systems. A recommender system takes information from an individual user, whether its purchasing history, habits or reports likes and dislikes, and has the ability to suggest items that the user will likely enjoy. This is achieved through extensive databases that contain information about songs, movies, tastes, genres, artists, possible user traits, etc. The databases are accessed and utilized through algorithms that quickly search through data and generate the recommendations. There are four major types of recommender systems: collaborative filtering, cluster models, search-based, and item-to-item.

Each of these systems represent a sort of evolution within the field of recommender systems. Traditionally collaborative filtering bases recommendations on similar users, which does not do much in the way of refining recommendations, leading to recommendations that are less likely to fit the taste of the custom. Cluster models assign users to groups based on a consistent quality that all of the users possess, however this can also lead to less specific recommendations because these users aren't necessarily the most alike. Search-based systems look at user history and recommend items with the same or similar traits. The main constraint in search-based systems is that recommendations have the potential to be extremely limited, and there is not much room for discovery. The fourth most common, and probably the most advanced in recommendations, is the item-to-item system. This focuses on the traits of items and recommending new things to users without the implicit inclusion of other users' traits, but simply based on item traits.

Amazon is the forerunner in e-commerce sites, with its recommendation system to thank for sales and user trust. Amazon operates with an item-to-item recommendation system, which allows for the usability and accessibility to site's vast amount of items for sale. Items are not only classified by what their basic description is, for example a CD, but also classified by the type of music, the artist, the year it was released, to name a few potential traits. This allows users to get in-depth and more tailored recommendations in spite of the gigantic database of items. Recommendations also take into account user-generated item rankings, which can make items more recommended and entice more purchasing. Additionally, Amazon includes some recommendations based upon what other users have purchased when two or more users have a purchase in common. However, this differs from basing recommendations solely on other users because users aren't bound together simply because of a few similarities.

Internet personalized radio service and music recommendation generator Pandora began as The Music Genome Project, which is essentially a database of songs broken down into descriptions with the smallest of traits, or "genes." There are 2,000 potential traits that can be assigned to songs. Pandora's recommender would also qualify as an item-to-item recommendation system because recommendations come through similar qualities of songs, not similar qualities in users. Interestingly, Pandora has a partnership with Amazon so that users can purchase albums or MP3s of songs they have heard on their personalized stations. Pandora allows users to rank songs through the labeling of "thumbs up" or "thumbs down," in addition to banning tracks. All of these options affect potential recommendations for each user. The more feedback that Pandora receives, as with most sites generating recommendations, the more personalized recommended songs become.

Last.fm is an online music recommendation service, as well as a social network. It does base a fair amount of its recommendations on similarities between users. The site generates both personalized radio stations, as well as stations based on artists or genres. User likeness is ranked and listeners are grouped together based upon artists listened to that they share. Last.fm, much like Amazon, also tracks user activity, and in this case it is the listening habits both online and offline, plus searches and rankings. This fusion of clustering and item-to-item recommendations, which is more apparent here than at Amazon, hints that Last.fm, like all others, is a work in constant progress. In addition to the Last.fm database, a user can tag artists with traits of the user's choice, which impacts can impact whether or not other users might hear artists. This is dependent on other users' activities on the site, but makes users stakeholders in ensuring that they are tagging responsibly.

Netflix is an online DVD rental service with one of the most enviable recommendation systems in existence. Its personalized movie recommendations are very similar to Amazon's system of trait-based databases, while simultaneously employing user-generated ratings. The main operator here is an item-to-item system. Netflix's algorithm for generating recommendations is called Cinematch, and the company is holding a contest, with a $1,000,000 prize, for someone to improve the Cinematch algorithm by 10%. The improvement in the system is not for higher speed or holding more data, but improving the likelihood of a user getting a recommendation that he will actually enjoy by 10%.

Netflix's realization that, although they have a highly successful recommendation system, someday the system will be surpassed is truly the future in this field. The brilliance behind holding a contest to improve its own system will prevent people from developing algorithms for their own ventures and keeping Netflix on the cutting edge of recommendation system technology. In this online world of recommendation systems, the user is king. Senseless and inaccurate recommendations have the potential to drive users away. This makes incessant innovation an absolute necessity. As evidenced through the merging of item-to-item filtering and recommendations based on similar users, this field is burgeoning and nowhere near the finish line in terms of any company having a flawless recommendation system. Methods will continue to evolve and bleed into one another, and perhaps all become somewhat antiquated eventually. In seeing how these systems have already morphed into stronger and more reliable ones, its easy to imagine that recommendation systems will be a topic constantly in the stage of innovation. That's absolutely where the field is at the moment.

The Netflix Prize

2009-04-23T12:08:00.002-07:00

"Winning the Netflix Prize improves our ability to connect people to the movies they love."
The Netflix Prize is extremely indicative of how crucial recommendation systems are to the functioning of businesses relying on e-commerce. The contest invites people to create a system that will improve the likelihood of users loving the movies recommended based on their preferences. Improving Netflix's current system, Cinematch, by 10% will get one dedicated winner $1 million. The desire to improve one of the best recommendation systems in existence absolutely indicative of how much competition is involved in making sure that users have a reason to return to a site. I'm trying to get an interview with someone from Netflix to further discuss its recommendation system, and its continuing improvements.

How Amazon operates: item-to-item

2009-04-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

Amazon has created perhaps the most highly functioning and relevant recommendation system developed in-house, called item-to-item collaborative filtering.

"Rather than matching the user to similar customers, item-to-item collaborative filtering matches each of the user's purchased and rated items to similar items, then combines those similar items into a recommendation list," according to an industry report describing Amazon's methods.

The system revolves around a table of similar items based on what items Amazon users are purchasing at the same time. Each item a user purchases is looked at individually and recommendations are generated from comparing each one to the similar-items table.

Item-to-item collaborative filtering generates extremely user-relevant content, and can do so even with little user input because of how it uses similar items instead of similar users.

Search-Based Methods for Recommendation Systems

2009-04-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

The article from Amazon indsiders has been so helpful in my search for explanations of how different recommendation systems work. It's chock-full of information, so I've been breaking it down into little bits, in hopes that I fully understand it and that it makes at least some sense to those of you reading.

Search-based methods look at what a user has shown preference to, either through purchase, rating or other habits unique to individual sites, for instance listening on Pandora or Last.fm. It takes those preferences, looks at their traits and then finds other items that have the same or similar traits.

The issue here is that users most likely will not "discover new, relevant and interesting items," because their recommendations are based only on what they already like. The article explains this well: if someone bought The Godfather, then their results could range from best-selling drama DVDs or movies all from Francis Ford Coppola. There's either too much of a gap between what's liked and what's recommended, or too little.

Cluster Models as Recommendation Systems

2009-04-17T10:22:00.001-07:00

Cluster models are another often-used approach to making a functioning recommendation system, according to an article by three Amazon insiders. Cluster models divide users into groups, or clusters, with the most similar users. The clusters are generated and each assigned a random user at first, and then other users are compared and classified.

The issue with cluster models is that grouping users into these clusters doesn't mean that they are grouped with the most similar other users. This can lead to recommendations of less quality.

Traditional Collaborative Filtering

2009-04-15T21:08:00.004-07:00

Traditional collaborative filtering is a type of system used to generate user-specific recommendations based on common items between two similar users. Items most highly ranked by similar users come as the most recommended items. The major problem with this type of system is that, while recommendations are very targeted, they are also incredibly limited as far as what a user will find in his recommendations. This is due to the very limited number of similar users to which one is compared. Problems arise when users have a very narrow pool of items to draw from, and then recommendations that should ideally be similar in liking to a user do not fit that user's taste because recommendations are based on such a small amount of information. Basing recommendations solely on the taste of a small group of users with a common interest makes branching out in exposure to new things and things that are most likely to coincide with taste less and less likely.

Holovaty on the importance of databases

2009-04-14T22:28:00.002-07:00

Per Adrian Holovaty, of, among many notable endeavors, EveryBlock, made an appearance in my Digital Media Entrepreneurship class a week or so back and we got to discussing databases and recommendation systems. He told me a bit about a site that he co-founded while in college called Lawrence.com, which is incredibly similar to a project that I'm working on called Collegization.

Basically, both projects aim at getting students into nightlife, while heavily relying on databases of information in order to perform that service, and allowing people to find things that they might like based on location and habits. Both databases include restaurants, venues and events. He told me that the key to running this system, and incorporating a recommendation function into it, is having massive amounts of organized data. Holovaty said that the data, while minute in individual form, is incredibly valuable when amassed for the purposes of Lawrence.com and Collegization. Without these tediously formed databases, it would be impossible for either project to function.

How Internet Cookies Work

2009-03-05T16:43:00.003-07:00

I was interested in how sites store information in their databases to remember users and allow them to store preferences. Here's what I found.

This Next

2009-03-05T12:38:00.004-07:00

This Next is a site devoted to consumerism. It's main functions are, according to the site, "to explore great product recommendations, get personalized shopping suggestions, and rave about the products you like." Users can see "what's hot" in other major cities, see who is recommending what, and what kind of trends are happening in their own back yards. It also employs a question of the day. For instance today users are asked, "What is your favorite kind of hot chocolate?" This site is very intriguing to me, and I think I'll be exploring it more. The downturn of the economy could put it in a very interesting position, to encourage thrift instead of its perceived devotion to luxury.

Criticker

2009-03-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

Criticker is a movie recommendation site based on each user's taste. It employs tags, some simple genre tags like horror, comedy and action, while others are significantly more in-depth: b-movie, robots and sequel being just a fraction of the pages upon pages of ways to define, categorize and describe films. The concept of tagging allows for organization based on likeness. If twenty people tag Coffee & Cigarettes with the word "art," then another film tagged twenty or so times with that same word would be deemed a similar film. This, of course, is simplifying the process and more than one tag would have to match up for films to be recommended, but that is basically how the tagging system allows Criticker users to discover new films.

Helpful articles

2009-02-27T09:17:00.002-07:00

I've found a few articles with more detail how exactly some sites take users tastes and make recommendations based on them. First there's What is the Music Genome Project, which details Pandora's time-consuming database work that took years before they could launch, then The New York Times had an article discussing both Pandora and Last.fm. more from the perspective of what users get out of the sites, and finally an interview with Last.fm co-founder Martin Stiksel.

Yelp

2009-02-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

Yelp is a site that one can personalize to fit a specific location, for instance, as linked, Tempe, Arizona. Once one creates a profile, upon returning to it Yelp recommends events, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and an array of other activities and places nearby. The most useful part of this is that these items are ranked by popularity over time, so there are lists of what is currently or recently popular and what has long-term popularity, based on Yelp users' consistently positive reviews. The tagline, "Real people, real reviews," truly encapsulates what the site is about, and what it delivers. My main issue with the site is that things that aren't reviewed on the site will most likely never be noticed.

Competition

2009-02-19T09:20:00.002-07:00

I've recently pitched a project idea that revolves around social networking strictly for teenagers. I envision having features that allow for user feedback, with reviews, ratings and recommendations. Based on the feedback I want to be able to tell people overall what's popular, what's actually "good," and calibrate people's tastes. Essentially, I'd like a charting system similar to Last.fm's, that could also conjure recommendations based on other users who share particular likes or dislikes.

High Concept Pitches

2009-02-05T09:12:00.003-07:00

DustBuster: Lugging around a heavy, loud, over-sized vacuum cleaner for the smallest of clean-up jobs will no longer be a problem with a cordless, light, hand-held DustBuster with as much power as a vacuum, but a fraction of the size. Easy to use and transport; perfect for anyone needing a quick, thorough cleanup. Target market: Busy moms, bachelors and college kids.

Wite-Out: Wasted paper, illegible copies, letters and documents filled with typos make communication untimely and difficult. Wite-Out makes easy, fast corrections to documents with its quick-drying white liquid solution. Target market: offices, writers, editors, students.

Disposable lighter: A safe, easy and modern alternative to dangerous and environmentally unfriendly stick matches. Carry it in your pocket or purse for a guaranteed quick and convenient light. Target market: smokers, parents, 18-24 year-olds.

Music networking as a function of learning "what's good"

2009-01-29T12:21:00.003-07:00

This semester, for my course Digital Media Entrepreneurship, I need to become an expert in some technological aspect. I've chosen music sites that operate by taking in user preferences to determine what people like, and what can be recommended based on other users' preferences. My original idea was to focus on Last.fm, a UK-based site that is my personal favorite for music discovery, widgets and networking based on taste in music. Options within Last.fm are more plentiful than any other site I've come across. One can download a simple program that allows for "scrobbling," or the taking in of data (songs) that are both played in iTunes and on the iPod. Upon scrobbling, Last.fm collects the songs and artists played and creates numerical charts that can be posted as self-updating widgets on virtually any other site with weekly charts tallying up a user's most popular artists.

A topic I'm interested in pursuing is how sites like Last.fm work with others, namely major label dreamboat Rhapsody. An intriguing part of the online music world is that people want all of their listening connected, their charts accounting for all music listened to, so as not to create a bias. This results in many users developing their own ways of connecting the sites. A simple Google search will render results on how to scrobble music from one's personal Rhapsody feed into Last.fm, and do the same with sites like HypeMachine.

This year I

2008-12-27T22:04:00.002-07:00

- Was vandalized by my neighbors
- Had neighbors kicked out of their house
- Trimmed my hair twice maybe
- Learned Final Cut, sort of
- Went to CMJ for the second year in a row and left with 50ish new best friends
- Returned to The Republic to assist in the production of MetroMix
- Stayed at The Republic as a community features writer
- Ended my sojourn as Music Director and assumed the role of The Blaze's Station
Manager
- Realized that thirds are a bad idea
- But tried anyway
- Started working as the college marketing rep for Sony
- Began a memorable and actually fun stint as a broadcast lab assistant
- Crashed my bike and got a major scar on my right knee
- Character building post-crash: riding bike the rest of the way home in 100 degrees
- Sprained my ankle after my foot fell asleep, the most significantly painful
occurrence of 2008, physical, spiritual or otherwise
- Questioned the sanity and humanity of those around me
- Lived up to at least one prediction from a psychic
- Found something pretty good
- Lost some other things
- Bid official adieu to the septum piercing
- Completed 2.5 years of college, ahead of the game, the curve and whatever

Podcast panacea

2008-09-23T15:31:00.002-07:00

So I've been icky sicky for about fourish days now, and I'm pretty sure that Ira Glass is just as effective as modern medicine. Plus, I hate taking actual medicine.

My Look-Alikes

2008-09-01T10:22:00.004-07:00

Once finals are over...

2007-12-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

This is what I'm going to do:

1. Clean my room
2. Re-read The Fountainhead
3. Get back on the "I'm gonna learn Russian" bandwagon
4. Buy my sister a birthday present
5. Spend more time doing yoga
6. Consider cutting my hair
7. Maybe wash my car... but probably not
8. Schedule an optometrist appointment
9. Bake everybody bread
10. Organize my office
11. Enjoy not having classes
12. Celebrate the end of JMC 301: How to kill a journalism student
13. Geek out over my cool classes next semester
14. Prove what a super dork I am by being a little excited about taking statistics
15. Perfect a redition of the Harlem shake
16. Have a Christmas party?
17. Start freelancing for the New Times
18. Wrangle up material for Grrrl Talk next semester
19. Make a list of stuff to shop for post-Christmas
20. Think on what a siren I am at least eighty billion times a day

Here's What I Did Today

2007-11-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

I interviewed for internships with the Phoenix New Times and Village Voice Media, and totally kicked bottom. I went to geology, happily due to my nice test results from Monday's exam. Sidenote: I have a "B" in geology and that sometimes makes me want to die. Back on track! I saw some former co-workers from the Republic, had a nice chat with them and realized how much I miss them. I went to The Blaze and did some music directorly work. I picked up my check! Then, as I was walking to the bank, I saw a tow truck pass by on University, and I thought to myself, "Hey cool, that car looks like Hansel." Sidenote: Hansel is the name of my car. Back on track! Then I realized that it was in fact my Hansel, with a big, fat, yellow paper on him declaring his state of towage. You see, I had been using a decal that a friend of mine found on the side of the road, and successfully gotten away with parking for a few weeks.

Well, f-word me for trying to stick it to the man. I had to pay no less than $360 to reclaim my ugly baby Hansel and then walk from the Parking and Transit services building, near Fifth Street and College Avenue, all the way to Curry and Miller roads. Yeah. That's far. Good thing I was intensely infuriated and had generous reserves of energy to expend on that trek. Finally, after filling my quota for sexual harrassment, I arrived at the nasty, dusty lot where those godless beasts took my car. And you know what I had to do? I had to wear a hideous, reflective orange vest. I kind of hate you ASU Parking and Transit. What did I ever do to you?!

Then I sold some cds to FYE and applied to work at Zia. Now I have a mountain of homework to attend to because it's that time in the semester where all of my professors decide that excessive assignments will do my body good. Hey fall semester, feel free to end... like now. Which reminds me! I'll be registering for spring classes next Friday and I've got a pretty sweet lineup planned. I'm going to take statistics for social workers, station operations, news editing, media ethics and one of those internships that I interviewed for today. Yowza.

If you feel compelled to give me exorbitant amounts of money, give in to your impulse.

This is a genuine question.

2007-11-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

How could someone not be in love with me?

In all honesty, how?

Creeps Galore

2007-10-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

I went to Safeway and purchased some garlic bread, because I was famished. I drove out of the parking lot and was making a left onto Broadway. Waiting quasi-patiently, I sat in my car, listening to the new Jose Gonzalez, which has made me a complete human, and two guys are attempting to walk by me on the sidewalk. Yes, I'm one of those jerks who pulls into crosswalks and walkways, effectively blocking pedestrians. But, guy #1 peers into my front passenger window, which was rolled down, and says, "Hey sweetie, could we get past?" I said, "Oh yeah, sure." Then guy #1 leans on my car, shoves his head through the window, and says, "You look pretty cute today. My name's Mike. How're you?" Okay, first of all, why in god's name would someone feel like he could just stick his face in my car? Secondly, I look cute today? Today as opposed to what day? Why are you an insane crackhead inside my car? Then he sort of just leaned on my car, expecting me to introduce myself, because intersections are great places to socialize. I said, "I'm trying to drive across the street." He took his creepy face out of my car, grinned, and then joined guy #2 walking eastbound on Broadway.

I don't even know.

Yep, still cooler than you

2007-09-21T08:24:00.001-07:00

I got paid to go see Pinback, you can read about it here!

2007-09-20T20:53:00.001-07:00

For the past few days, I've sort of started spouting words in random languages while attempting to speak English. It's pretty awesome. I think I should sleep more and stop thinking in languages that aren't my mother tongue.

2007-09-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

My Pinback inteview is up on azcentral! You can read it here!

2007-09-16T22:42:00.000-07:00

I bought an outer space dress. And I wore it to dinner at a Greek-Mexican restaurant for my friend's twentieth birthday. Yes, there are such things as Greek-Mexican restaurants. Pinback is Wednesday and I'm probably going to die. I cried when I listened to "Autumn of the Seraphs" the first time through. Okay, I didn't bawl, but I shed a tear or two. You see, I was terrified that it would suck, so I had pent up a lot of energy about the album, and, upon realizing how horrible it wasn't, my emotions ran amok.

This is more fun.

2007-09-05T06:57:00.001-07:00

Honestly?

2007-09-04T21:27:00.001-07:00

I was on my way home, when a group of guys in a passing vehicle pulled quite the yelp-and-run. Riding my bicycle, not half-naked or acting remotely sexy, I hear a gaggle of male voices holler, "Haaa-ay we want some pussssay." I wish I was lying. No, they weren't listening to that song, in case that's what you were thinking. I half-hoped that at first, but no dice. But, really? You're going to shout, "Haaa-ay we want some pussssay"? What the fuck is that?

I swear, nothing but gents for Becky.

Holy God

2007-08-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

I might get to interview Pinback. Excuse me while I go die.

CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival

2007-08-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

I just booked my flight and hotel for CMJ! I'm flying out late Monday, October 15, and arriving early the next morning. I'll be at The Chelsea Inn until Sunday, and in between I'll be having the coolest trip to New York ever... not to mention my first trip to New York ever. Cute, huh?

Here are the bands that are confirmed to play so far: Spoon – UNKLE – Justice – British Sea Power – Mates Of State – Coheed And Cambria – Rodrido Y Gabriela – Xiu Xiu – Del Tha Funky Homosapien – Dirtbombs – Mute Math – Jesu – Devin The Dude – The Ponys – Islands – Tiny Masters Of Today – Eisley – Vietnam – Little Brother – Mickey Hart & Zakir Hussein – Brother Ali – Marnie Stern – No Age – Crystal Castles – MSTRKRFT – Chromeo – The Brunettes – 1990s – Ruins – A-Trak – Foreign Islands – Kavinsky – Simian Mobile Disco

Eep!

Daft Punk @ LA Sports Arena 7/21/07

2007-07-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made a pilgrimage to Los Angeles on a quest for the holy grail of electronic music: Daft Punk.

I had built up such a tension, such a desperate need for the cathartic release of two frenchmen as robots in leather, zip-up jackets, that I probably would've enjoyed their set even if they didn't perform on a gigantic and lit pyramid. Even if they hadn't had two massive screens on each side of the stage or cool robot helmets or the most insanely cool lighting known to man, I probably would've danced just as much to the songs I knew so well. But, the thing is that although they play sophisticated, catchy, danceable songs, Daft Punk live is an experience. It's not a show. It's the most interactive, colorful dance party I've ever attended. The pyramid flashed white, red, blue, human faces, human anatomy; it took us through space, became a rainbow and showcased the most notable house duo in the history of house.

But how can you love two robots? Good question! I wondered this beforehand, knowing that I'd love the music, but questioning how punk their demeanor would be. Mssrs. Bangalter and de Homem-Christo rewarded us with waving, peace signs and the ever-present pyramid, formed with their index fingers and thumbs. Oh my god, Daft Punk likes us! We're a good crowd! Oh my god. No joke, I was their to dance my brains out in hopes that the more I danced, the more they'd tour. Come on, I entrusted my night of dancing into the hands of these mericlessly impeccable masters, and they had the eeriest sense of exactly what the entire arena needed. Indulging us at first with Technologic, then Da Funk, One More Time, Robot Rock, Human After All, and Harder Better Faster Stronger, the classics bled together and I wondered how I'd ever considered them separate entities. Choosing a favorite is entirely impossible because there each song reached a point of complete madness, where Daft Punk took the crowd to the positive edge of what we expected and then wowed us repeatedly.

A few times, the pyramid and the floor would be lined with red light, and the daft punks appeared like cartoonish outlines of red robots. And near the end, whilst still in red, both turned their backs to us in a dramatic outro, exposing their chic Daft Punk-decaled jackets.

Prior to Daft Punk, we experienced SebastiAn, Kavinsky and Ratatat. Yes, finally, after two previously quashed attempts, I saw Ratatat and they were insatiable. I had heard rumors, both bad and good, and for the record, they were great. They started our with a snare, guitar and keyboards, proceeded to ditch the drum and use two guitars and the keyboards and sampler to give us dance with a higher dose of rock. When the growling hiss of Wildcat came on, everyone went bananas. Kavinsky and SebastiAn were killer as well, but Daft Punk was the bottom line last night. It was absolutely worth the twelve-hour roundtrip car ride and fifty-dollar tickets. It was an epic journey with unimaginable spoils. Plus I got a really cute t-shirt.

I'm Going To See Daft Punk In L.A. Next Week

2007-07-15T11:20:00.001-07:00

I am the fun blame cookie monster

2007-07-10T19:30:00.001-07:00

Disclaimer: This has nothing to do with Menomena! Although I saw them at the Clubhouse awhile back and was totally floored. Some crap band played, too. Oh! And local luminaries Colorstore played a brilliant set as well, totally outshining the crap band.

Okay, 1990s Rough Trade debut Cookies sounds so aesthetically Rough Trade. But seriously, you know that garagey, cocky male, tongue-in-cheek, gritty and totally lovable sound I speak of, no? God I love that sound. It's that trashy and obnoxiously sexy Strokes, Louis XIV and Babyshambles thing. All right, point is 1990s are badass geniuses, and they are well aware.

1990s consists of John McKeown, a Glaswegian guy and former Yummy Fur member, and Michael McGaughrin, who used to drum for V Twin. They like getting drunk, doing drugs and writing songs about all of the above. Alcohol and drugs are sources of inspiration for many, but here's the catch: 1990s are acually talented. It's crazy. You can clap your hands and shake your ass to all of these grooves.

The big-deal single "See You At The Lights" has nicely sporadic hand claps and sweet variations ba-ba's. "Get out like a blonde gets out of a car" makes me smile every time I hear it. Maybe it's because I have blonde hair. Maybe it's because I like getting out of cars. maybe 1990s are just really good and can do whatever they want.

Personally, I really dig "Cult Status." It's a nod to the egocentric apathetic hipster lodged within all of our souls. We don't care about our hair or clothes, or at least we claim not to care. Oh yeah, and we don't care about the ages of our 16--oops 15-year-old love interests. The self-worship trip peaks when McKeown growls: "My cult status keeps me fucking your wife."

Cookies is peppered with man power... I guess. I'm a bit unsure of how to define it. Between quips like "that's what girls are for (clap clap)," on Arcade Precinct, and "I'm glad we made the movie at your place," on opener "You Made Me Like It," it's all one-nighters and no regrets. Kapow. It's a riotous blast of drug-induced sexual energy, raw guitars and giddy sing-along opportunities.

To Battle A Ponytail

2007-06-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

So I went to see Battles at the Rhythm Room on Thursday night and Ponytail opened. Now I was excited for Ponytail, but I didn't think I'd like them as much as I did. I have this personal theory that if a band can make me genuinely smile, then they've got something going. Between Molly dancing like an orangutan, gritting her teeth and often taking overtly masculine punk stances about the stage, holding the mike so that she sang up into it, I was all in. Ponytail is music for people who aren't boring. It requires total commitment from the listener, much like Battles, or else its easy to miss the brilliance in the speedy drumming and guttural cries. This is music for people who want to feel like they're being absorbed into songs.

Battles. Of late I've started doing this really cute thing at shows where I feel like I'm going to die for whatever reason (probably the lack of air conditioning), but that definitely happened during Battles. I was a little upset by it, too, since I had the perfect view of my favorite Battler: Tyondai Braxton. Yeah, the one with the beautiful hair who does vocals and plays guitar and keyboard. Ahh. "Atlas" was the obvious crowd favortie, and I considered leaving after they played it since I didn't think they could top it. I stayed, though, until either a band member or some of the equipment overheated. I'm not totally sure what happened since I had moved to the very back of the venue by that time due to feeling icky. I was in awe of Battles. My eyes were glued to the stage as they set up. And the yellow drum kit, THE YELLOW DRUM KIT. It was beautiful, with on cymbal standing around six feet. The cymbal is no myth and neither is the indescribable musicianship that this crew exercised. I shook my head innumerable times in disbelief of how talented they are.

Enough praise! Last night I slept for fourteen hours. I've been so exhausted lately. I think I'm a workaholic. I also ate three quarters of a pizza. I was incredibly tired and famished. We did an online blog on azcentral.com about the release of iPhone, and I don't think I know anyone personally who bought one. They are pretty sexy though. They remind me of me.

So yeah

2007-06-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm watching Office Space, and I'm not Michael Bolton. I'm not a Michael Bolton fan either. Although, when I was little I was fond of his flowy, blond locks. Whatever.

The new Ryan Adams is good. "Two" is just one of those songs. Adams's vocals are like being stabbed with a paring knife and then having it twisted between your ribs and then really liking it. Yes John Cougar Mellencamp, it hurts so good. "Two Hearts" is my second favorite. I wish there were more state references; I like whenever Adams picks a southern state to sing about, namely Tennessee or a Carolina. Overall, I guess the album's not insanely impressive, but I still like it. When I first listened to "Halloweenhead," I literally yelped "DOUBLE YOU TEE EFF!" But I have to admit, that song's growing on me like fungi in a dark, murky corner. "Halloweenhead" is completely stupid, but kind of endearing? A halloweenhead is a pumpkin head, at least that's what I've decided. It reminds me of Nightmare Before Christmas, although I know Jack Skellington was in fact a skeleton and not a pumpkin-headed, terribly attractive alt-country alleged asshole.

Couple Thoughts

2007-06-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

I guess that I exploit people's emotions for a living now.

Ahh, getting paid for one's passion.

But, in all honesty people do awful things to each other, and it's my job to tell their tales. Today was an eye opener. I wrote about a girl who was murdered with a box cutter. She was eighteen. Is that not insane to think about? She was at work. Now I get why some people despise journalists. It's because our job is to lack emotions, while evoking powerful ones within our readers.

All right, I'm now going to discuss something a little less heavy.
How about macroeconomics?
Well, speaking of macroeconomics, I am currently taking an online class through Chandler-Gilber Community College. My mind is expanding like a pair of really little spandex bicycle shorts on a person nobody wants to see wearing bicycle shorts. This metaphor isn't fitting, but it is funny. My mind isn't going to rip and tear down to its original patternmaker's form, leaving cottage-cheesy flesh exposed on the open road (the spandex sporter is a retired wannabe cyclist, a faux Lance, if you will). I genuinely think that economics can be fascinating, especially when I get into mean, analytical moods.

I saw Young Galaxy last Thursday at Modified, and they blew my bicycle shorts mind! Speaking of Canada, that's where I'm going for spring break next year. I'm not lying.
I saw The Hold Steady at the Brickhouse on Saturday, and sometimes, when I see a certain kind of person, I automatically detest them. Example: This uberfaketan bro, who was pushing forty, sporting some skate shop tee with board shorts and flip flops, did a horrible lovemaking dance. He pursed his lips and rubbed his hands together. I hated him. He was stocky and drunk, while I was sober and condescendingly good looking. You know those wind-up monkeys with little hats and cymbals? He was the human version of that. Oh man. Anyways, the Brickhouse was lacking air conditioning, and recalling my terrifying brush with death when I saw the Blood Brothers awhile back, I walked straight to the bar and grabbed some water. I did not die. If I had died I would not be writing this letter of love to you.

For now, nation, that's all I've got.

2007-05-24T10:34:00.001-07:00

Yeah, so my blog has kind of turned into an homage to Leslie Feist. Whatev. The Reminder is brilliant, and if I had another hand I would give it three thumbs up. If you dig it too, you're in luck, as it's in heavy rotation on The Blaze. So tune in here!

Coachella Recap!

2007-04-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

I knew it was going to be hot, but it was supergrosssicksweatnasty hot. Brian Posehn, who always plays the big creepy janitor-stalker-weirdo on tv, was really funny, tall, and looks like an albino bear... but not a polar bear. Of Montreal sounded crappy, and their show at the Clubhouse in January was so much better. They didn't have a slew of cool props and costumes, BUT I did see Kevin Barnes walking around like a normal person who just happens to wear marionette-styled rouge circles on his cheeks after Jesus and Mary Chain. Intense. Silversun Pickups were solid, and I'm excited to see them on smaller scale this Friday. I saw Stephen Marley perform "Could You Be Loved," and that was enough reggae for the weekend. Amy Winehouse was seriously impressive, and seriously tipsy. But there's no use telling her to go to rehab, pffft no no no. Peaches wore a black leather leotard and was awesome. I was hoping that Feist would magically end up on stage, since their buds and all, but to no avail. Scarlett Johansson sang with Jesus and Mary Chain, and she totally has cellulite. Fun fact. Jarvis Cocker speaks exactly like Austin Powers. Interpol sounded like Interpol. I didn't go over to the Outdoor Stage to see Sonic Youth due to pathetic exhaustion. Bjork is seriously my favorite human ever; if you ever have the opportunity to see her don't fuck it up.

The Cribs were excitingly minimal and British, and The Fratellis followed suit, minus Britain, plus Scotland. Regina was amazing. She played "Your Honor," which was super exciting and old. Hot Chip were right on the money. MSTRKRFT would've been cooler if there hadn't been barf in the Sahara tent. Peter Bjorn and John came off as major assholes, but it's impossible to dislike "Young Folks," even if, much like me, you can't whistle. Andrew Bird is the musical shit. I caught The Decemberists playing "The Mariner's Revenge Song." I thought Arcade Fire would put on a good show, but I was really impressed, and then I was impressed by being impressed by my impressionable state, impressively enough. Blonde Redhead was awesome. GIRL TALK WILL SO TOTALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER. LCD Soundsystem was precisely as fun as I had hoped, and dancing surely ensued even though I most definitely wanted to collapse. Cornelius was a sensuous experience, with mouths and paint and swastikas (which made me intensely nervous).

Anathallo were really fun. Bands with more than five people who all switch off instruments make life worth living. Tapes 'n Tapes and Grizzly Bear were perfect in succession. It was too hot to watch all of Explosions in the Sky's set. Junior Boys weren't that exciting. I couldn't believe how completely overflowed Gobi was while Rodrigo y Gabriela played. CSS had sound issues but Lovefoxxx is my new role model; we both own unitards!

Okay, that was Coachella. Except I forgot about the camping (which is cool and annoying when you are near a bunch of Canadians who use the phrase "Holy Saskatchewan!"). Cops had to break up a big group of looney tunes singing in a big circle by shining helicopter lights on them in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Some rasta guy near me wrote a song. These were the lyrics: "Fuck you, Fuck you, Fuck you police. Fuck you, Fuck you, Fuck you very much." I can't remember the tune for the life of me, but it was beautiful.

COACHELLA FREELS

2007-04-25T04:23:00.000-07:00

Friday!
Noisettes
Tokyo Police Club
Of Montreal
Silversun Pickups
Amy Winehouse
Rufus Wainwright
Peaches
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Jarvis Cocker
Interpol
Sonic Youth
Bjork!

Saturday!
Fields
Pharoahe Monche
The Frames
Regina Spektor!
New Pornographers
MSTRKRFT
Andrew Bird
CocoRosie
Girl Talk
Blonde Redhead
LCD Soundsystem
Cornelius

Sunday!
Mika
Anathallo
Tapes 'n Tapes
The Kooks
Junior Boys
CSS!
Klaxons
Air
Ratatat
Teddybears

2007-04-18T09:19:00.001-07:00

Coachella

2007-04-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

Friday

Bjork, Sonic Youth, Peaches, Brazilian Girls, Gogol Bordello

Saturday

Blonde Redhead, Regina Spektor, CocoRosie, LCD Soundsystem, Girl Talk

Sunday

CSS, Air, Klaxons, Ratatat, Teddybears

This is me getting all jazzed up about Coachella, which is NEXT WEEK. OMG x 238572385. But seriously, I'm super pumped and attempting to prioritize bands without knowing set times. Go me! I think I'm going to buy a bunch of disposable cameras and use those instead of bringing a digital? I don't know, we'll see. It's going to be amazing and the only thing I'm remotely iffy about is the camping. However, I'll overcome my outdoor-loving deficiency for Bjork. Absolutely. I'm going to need gallons of sunscreen; duly noted.

The Shins at Celebrity Theatre 11 April, 2007

2007-04-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

I saw The Shins last week, and, minus the complete randomness of those in attendance, it was totally enjoyable. Actually, being there for the soundcheck was much cooler than the actual show, as I made it my personal Shinsdanceparty... shindig?! Yep. Not to mention that Eric Johnson, of Fruit Bats, performed with them as he is now a Shin, which I had forgotten. Sadly I didn't spot keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist/uber-Shin Martin Crandall's lady, Elyse Sewell, former America's Next Top Model contestant. Oh well. James Mercer was sporting a full beard, which totally made up for it.

1234

2007-04-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

I want that sequined blue jumpsuit.

Another Tale of Perverse Passengers

2007-04-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

As I walked along University Drive this afternoon, a man in the passenger seat of a silver Mercedes stuck his head out the window and declared to me, "I want to be friends with your ass." Weird times. Dear male population, why do you insist on treating me so awkwardly? Sure, complimenting my ass is flattering, but using Anchor Man material as a pick-up line while inside a moving vehicle isn't really enticing, and definitely not sexy. I'm not terribly offended because I totally understand wanting to befriend a nice ass... oh wait, I mean... a nice person. Right? Right.

Anyways, the new Blonde Redhead finally arrived today! I could not be any more excited. Kazu Makino never ceases to wow me vocally, and the entire atmosphere of 23 is much airier, shedding Makino's thick depression that inspired Misery Is A Butterfly. Her voice is still haunting as ever, but it's freer and more engaging. Not to mention she enunciates, making 23 an approachable collection of breathy songs that feel like dreamy vacations, instead of isolation in an empty room.

Silently is a downright surprise. It sounds like Blondie, minus the brassy, deeper tones of Debbie Harry. By the time I reached Top Ranking, the ninth of ten tracks, I had to pause. "I hope one day we meet again / I hope one day we love one another," Makino sweetly sings over island-inspired drumming and gentle piano.

What am I hearing? This album is... happy?! While it's not giddy, bopping or really danceable, 23 is absolutely a resolution to the dreary, weary beauty of Misery Is A Butterfly. For those who haven't given this tragically gorgeous three-piece a shot, or have shot them down after requiring anti-depressants after a little listening, 23 is your chance to love Blonde Redhead! Take it!

New Bjork

2007-04-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Volta comes out 7 May, also known as three days after my birthday. Also known as I'm dropping post-birthday gift hints.

2007-03-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Fosbury
Tahiti 80
French quartet Tahiti 80 deliver sweet and smiley grooves on their delightful LP Fosbury. Thirteen tracks exhibit Tahiti’s danceable, cultivated synth pop, without a glimpse of sloth in an unending flow of soulful giddiness.
Listeners will find “Changes” impossible to dislike, in spite of its standout as the obvious single. “Changes” perfectly showcases the breathy, harmonized vocals that make Tahiti 80 so undeniably irresistible. Singing along is mandatory. Dancing is not required, but it would prove fruitless to resist the desire.
“Chinatown” is a lovely surprise, with dreamy lyrics about budding love and the awkwardness. The celebratory “Somebody New” escalates with handclaps aplenty, sounding uncannily like Outkast’s “The Whole World,” while still maintaining a paradoxically energetic-yet-mellow vibe.
If nothing else, Fosbury will leave you with a cute grin and catchy tunes. It’s definitely worth multiple listens and offers some solid additions for your next dance party mix.

Myths Of The Near Future
Klaxons
The rumbling of “Two Receivers” kicks off Myths Of The Near Future, an assault of a debut from Klaxons. The audience is immediately forced into a vicious beat, then supplemented with grainy vocals, like Todd Fink mashed into David Bowie with a dash of Prince, and then come the jingly, almost eerie keys. Could this be more awesome?
Could anything beginning with such joviality and grandeur possibly keep up with itself? Luckily for all of us, Klaxons answer with an assuring “Psh, duh.” The frenzy of “Atlantis To Interzone” followed by the darker, subdued “Golden Skans” shows the versatility of the English trio. Klaxons showcase their top game on the gem “Magick,” speeding up, slowing down, freaking out and breaking down. Dance-crazed ravers and psychedelic punks alike will be content to put Myths on repeat. The bottom line is that this album doesn’t bore.

What the hale betch?

2007-02-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

I was waiting for the light to change on Apache and Normal. I was waiting like a regular human. There were no flashing neon signs or whirlwinds of glitter or totally awesome backup dancers. However, little me, standing on the street corner, minding her own business, attempting to block the indecisive sun from her eyes, was the victim of a yelp-and-run. Now generally speaking, a yelp-and-run consists of a person, typically male, inside a vehicle, more than likely in the passenger side, howling, either words or beastly noises at an innocent pedestrian lady. Well, I know what you're thinking: I'm simply projecting my love for the TLC classic "No Scrubs" onto myself in a sort of sick and twisted way. But man oh man do you have it wrong. Today a gentleman, perhaps an ungentleman, stuck his head out of his car window, eyed his prey, commonly known as me, and from his mouth sprang forth these words: "THERE IS A GOD!" All right, I mean, people yell weird things at me occasionally, but I don't think I've ever inspired pure, unadulterated faith. This being said, I should probably get myself to a nunnery. Okay, seriously, I know I'm too attractive to be a nun. Calm down. Alas, this brings me to my burning question: Am I a "Monet?" If you have ever seen the movie "Clueless," as I have more times than I can count, you will recall that the main character, Cher, classifies her arch nemesis, Amber, as a "Monet." In case you aren't hip to the Beverly Hills jive, a "Monet" is a lady who can only be admired from a distance because up close she is a big old mess. Although I think I'm just as lovely up close, perhaps I'm messy in a more figurative sense. Messy like complicated, as opposed to poorly dressed. I've concluded that I am in fact some breed of "Monet" because those from afar, like our newest member of the iheartgodclub, fear me not, but the nearer in proximity, the more fuzzy/splotchy/unclear things become. I find this revelation mighty fascinating and thought I'd share it. Basically, epiphanies are weird; that's all.

2007-02-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Phantom Punch
Sondre Lerche
Norwegian songbird Sondre Lerche unleashed his inner tough guy with his fourth studio album Phantom Punch. Although delectable theoretically, Lerche cannot hide that his caged beast is more housecat than wildcat.
“Airport Taxi Reception” is a promising opener, but Lerche’s signature airy vocals are drowned out, while his lyrics lack the quirky sincerity of previous efforts. Phantom Punch’s title track is uneventful, with Lerche ironically growling, “You don’t want to feel the phantom punch.” Unnatural howling and crunchy guitars plague “Face The Blood,” and Lerche ends up sounding more like Green Day than supposed inspiration Elvis Costello.
Within the awkwardness of Phantom Punch, there are glimpses of what Lerche does best. “After All” has a lilting melody and unassuming personality that feels like Two Way Monologues, and the gritty closer “Happy Birthday Girl” exemplifies what Phantom could have been. Nevertheless, these don’t suffice redemption and we don’t want to feel Lerche’s rushed and misguided Phantom Punch.

Friend and Foe
Menomena
Can anyone say no to a Muppet Show allusion? Menomena prove that it’s fundamentally impossible after listening to the groovy pop that saturates the Portland trio’s latest full-length Friend and Foe. The sound achieved is a more danceable Cursive fused with sexy saxophones and vocals reminiscent of a more distorted and breathy John Roderick, of Menomena’s Barsuk label mates The Long Winters.
“Muscle’n Flo” is Friend and Foe’s equivalent of a money shot: staccato drumming, delicate piano and muted coarse guitar melt into a sway-inducing blend of mysterious sweetness. “Boyscout’n” feels fresh, and, if whistling poses a daunting challenge, jealousy of those proficient will overcome you, because the melody is that catchy. Friend and Foe is a seamless expression, worthy of countless replays from start to finish.

2006-11-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Trying To Never Catch Up
What Made Milwaukee Famous
Brew City’s got no beef with the soubriquet of Austin’s What Made Milwaukee Famous, and justifiably so. WMMF shows great musical versatility with the release of Trying To Never Catch Up, a puree of inspiration from The Beatles circa Magical Mystery Tour, The Cars, vocal tonalities reminiscent of Julian Casablancas on Is This It?, and forays into bopping realms inhabited by the likes of The Shins. Although all of these elements are individually likeable, some even ideal, the result is a befuddled collage instead of a cohesive album.
The spaceship-meets-synthesizer vibe on “idecide” serves as a seamless introduction to the deeper, darker, danceable “Mercy, Me.” When followed by poppy “Hellodrama,” the most accessible and audience-friendly, listeners are duped into believing that only more unadulterated awesomeness is on its way. However, Trying To Never Catch Up falls slightly short. WMMF shows a broad scope of capabilities, and independently songs are solid, but this album lacks direction. Listening to Trying To Catch Up from beginning to end proves challenging and puzzling because ultimately too many ingredients are going into the musical mix.

The Karaoke Meltdowns
Trolleyvox
The Trolleyvox Present The Karaoke Meltdowns is a glorious romp that consumes listeners in a surreal poetic landscape for about forty blissful, folksy minutes. Beth Filla’s rich vocals, reminiscent of Nico, paired with guitarist Andrew Chalfen’s quirky libretto fashion an album that can come off as cool even when using a horse-drawn carriage as percussion. Filla refrains from attempting obnoxious tonal acrobatics, and her simplicity is the a warm campfire maintaining the mellow manner of The Karaoke Meltdowns. If Rilo Kiley were any good, this is what they would sound like.
“I Am Annabelle” melds groovy guitars and Filla’s proclamation: “I’m a sweet and sour lie on a teenage jealous high.” “I Know That You’re High” is an absolute standout, with bright piano and some of Chalfen’s best lyrics. The short and sweet “Baby You Were Lied To” underscores girl power sentiments and an ob-la-di ob-la-da attitude. The Karaoke Meltdowns will make you want to braid your hair, make flower chains, shake a mean tambourine, and love every second of it.

Small Talk
Mohair
Mohair’s Small Talk is a typical extravaganza of ennui. A major identity crisis plagues this record because Mohair never bother to define themselves as unique from any other misguided neo-new-wave-garage-blazer-wearing band; I have gathered that Mohair is the sad lovechild of The Monkees and Hot Hot Heat. Mohair have compiled a gang of giggly preteen-lovable songs on Small Talk, they are a relatively good looking bunch, they are English, and that’s basically all they have going for them. The songs sound recycled, passionless and overproduced.
Although Small Talk is overall formulaic and noncreative, there are a few glimpses of potential for growth. “Thin Air” allows Mohair’s aptitude for instrumental arrangement and harmonizing falsettos to shine, and “Ella May” has a sort of cutesy awe. Whether the parallel of The Lucksmiths’ tongue-in-cheek “Adolescent” is intentional or mere coincidence on the track “Ella May,” it does make the song a bit more amusing. There are no new ideas, interesting inspirations, or apparent aspirations emitted from Small Talk. It may be worth one listen, but it’s definitely not a keeper.

Robbers & Cowards
Cold War Kids
Don’t let the opening riffs on Cold War Kids’ Robbers & Cowards scare you off; it’s really not as Maroon 5 as it first seems, I promise. CWK liberate a splendid array of detailed and attentive bluesy pieces, all worthy of sways, head bobbing, and, sometimes, claps. There is not one disagreeable song on this LP.
Egocentric ode to the self “Tell Me In The Morning” itemizes woes of liaisons gone awry, “I guess it backfired, cause my motive was to take and never care bout what I give,” assembled with a solid backbeat, and the best of Nathan Willet’s ferocious howls and yelps. “Saint John” chronicles the life of a man on death row who is “just waiting for a pardon,” with barbaric tambourines and some illustrious storytelling. Finale “Rubidoux” proves an epic of intensity, with island-inspired guitar, and be sure to stay tuned for the earthy hidden track starting at seven minutes and twenty seconds; it’s a beautiful raw cut.

The Decemberists at The Rialto

2006-10-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

When I found out that I was going to see The Decemberists last Sunday, I squealed, jumped, and there was definitely some dancing. After falling head-over-heels in love with Picaresque last year, and currently coping with my inability to stop replaying The Crane Wife, I doubted that the band’s live performance could top my fervor for the recordings. Sunday night’s performance at Tucson’s Rialto Theatre refuted any and all apprehension.

Lavender Diamond opened, and established the show’s tongue in cheek mood when an audience member provided an olive green frog’s head as a costume for keyboardist, Steve Gregoropoulos. Lavender’s music has a hippie, jovial vibe, and vocalist Becky Stark’s quirky charisma is unparalleled. In a flowing gray dress with a red flower pinned at her shoulder, she looked like the grown-up version of Millie, empress of the painfully nerdy, from Freaks and Geeks. Swaying and clapping like a jazzercise instructor, Stark had no trouble engaging the audience; not to mention her delightful and impromptu rendition of Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue’s “Whatta Man.” Lavender original, “You Broke My Heart” highlighted the five song set and showcased Stark’s placid, angelic soprano.

The house lights remained dim while techs tuned guitars and stagehands positioned set lists. Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” played during the interim, and the charming touch of nostalgia only increased my enthusiasm. The narrated instrumental stopped, and a mysterious voice prompted the audience to visualize a stroll through a desert landscape, “And, in this desert there are six distant figures nearing.” Then The Decemberists entered the roaring Rialto. Lights flashed to reveal the stage, simply adorned with red spherical lanterns and a Japanese woodblock scene as a backdrop.

“The Crane Wife 3” began without delay, and directly segued into “The Island,” both from newly released album The Crane Wife. Self-deprecating splendor emanated from the band. The Decemberists’ versatility shined as members incessantly swapped instruments: guitar for mandolin, accordion for piano, keyboards for drums, and violin for percussion. “We Both Go Down Together” and “The Engine Driver” satisfied my craving for Picaresque material, and were the absolute tops performance-wise.

Meloy introduced “The Perfect Crime 2,” and the audience caught a glimpse of the more playful, relaxed Decemberists. The Crane Wife’s ever-friendly “O Valencia” and most eerie “Shankill Butchers” followed. “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” and “Odalisque” were the only departures from Picaresque and The Crane Wife. “Yankee Bayonet” was completely discarded.
Meloy’s expressive clarity mixed with violin, mandolin, upright bass and accordion crafted subtly sinful and bittersweet music. “The Crane Wife 1& 2” spurred a funny sea of shaggily bobbing heads, and “Sons and Daughters” extended well beyond the album’s five minute version. Then Lavender Diamond returned to engage in a loveable sing-along. The band announced their farewell and, desperately, the crowd begged for one more song.

Jubilantly, Meloy charged back onstage for “16 Military Wives.” He collapsed to his knees, and serenaded a lady in the front while stroking her hair. Laughs and claps rewarded the antics. He willingly put on the same frog’s head that Lavender’s Gregoropoulos sported earlier, sang into a fan’s cellular phone, and saluted the audience. Meloy left the conventional musicianship to the other five, while he amusingly gallivanted at the front of the stage. He split the crowd in thirds and initiated competition for the rowdiest interpretation of la-dee-dah’s. After completing the round of his melodic making, Meloy said goodnight and discreetly departed. The Decemberists gave the crowd clear-cut evidence that their live show surpasses their extraordinary recordings, leaving them ecstatic and overwhelmed with their musical appetites sated.