Beards, Blazers & Bedtime or 30 Thoughts During the Camera Obscura Show
1. Wow, this is really boring.
2. Is this boring like According to Jim boring or boring like Mind of Mencia boring?
3. Is there a difference between the two?
4. How can a bands album be that good, but their live show so incredibly fucking dull?
5. I believe that’s what the Doctors call “The Shins.”
6. Could their lack of flair be the result of their Scottish heritage?
7. No. Franz Ferdinand are Scottish. And Belle & Sebastian. And Groundskeeper Willie.
8. I wish I was watching The Simpsons right now.
9. Maybe I’ll just leave.
10. But I paid a lot of money for this ticket.
11. Damn this Jewish sense of economics.
12. But it’s a sunk cost.
13. Shut up! Economics 101.
14. I wonder what Mexican restaurants are still open right now?
(Interlude, where in the lobby of the El Rey theater, I dial 1-800 Free 411 to figure out which Mexican restaurants are still open).
15. Score. El Compadre is open until 1:00.
Flaming Margaritas? Don’t Tell Tim Hardaway.
16. I really like carnitas. And guacamole. This is going to be fantastic.
17. Wait…Camera Obscura are still on? Really?
18. Is lead singer, TraceyAnne Campbelle’s dress technically a Frau?
19. I believe frock is the word I’m looking for.
20. When are they gonna’ play “Lloyd, I’m Ready to be Heartbroken?”
21. Okay, they’re playing it now.
22. This song is definitely about Lloyd Christmas.
23. Why does no one in this band move on stage? Ever? How bout a nice Scottish jig? Something!! Move!!!
24. I think their bassist might actually be dead. Could I be watching the indie-rock equivalent of Weekend at Bernie’s. After all, this is the last night of their tour.
25. I think I’m going to go out in the lobby again. I feel like stretching.
26. Is stretching better when you’re high?
27. Do yogi’s smoke weed? If so, they’d probably really appreciate it.
28. Wait a second…the band sounds pretty good from out here. Maybe I should go inside and see if they’re doing something awesome.
29. Nope. Still boring. Time to go.
(Walking out the doors)
30. Whatever…I still like the album.
Download:
MP3: Camera Obscura-”Let’s Get Out of the Country”
MP3: Camera Obscura-”Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken”
February 20th, 2007 at 7:16 am
I was debating whether to catch this show or not. I’m glad you’re able to make it an amusing entry inspite of it being a lackluster show.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:30 am
i found one of their recent shows to be nearly everything i hoped it could be–deliciously depressing. just how i like their music. Keep It Clean and I Don’t Do Crowds shouldn’t be played any other way.
my only complaint was that much like Belle and Sebastian, about 3/4 off their songs were from the new album, with very few tracks from their older catalog. what a shame.
February 20th, 2007 at 11:41 am
strange, when i caught belle and sebastian last summer, the only new song they played was “Sukie in the Graveyard.” I was actually kinda’ disappointed because I like The Life Pursuit a whole lot.
February 20th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
favorite feature of your blog is that you provide downloads. i like these two songs.
i also enjoy the clever writing.
February 20th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
passion of the weiss, you have just saved me eight english pounds. i’ll be staying home. funnily enough, the delgados were just the same ten years ago: great on record, awful live. and scottish.
February 20th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
what a bummer, i really like these guys.
i’ll still see them if they roll through but i’ll keep in mind to bring my gameboy if things get bad.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I think the same column could be re-used, practically word-for-word, to describe the night I saw Ladytron in SF…
February 21st, 2007 at 7:28 am
That’s strange. I caught B&S last summer too in Louisville, and they played only three tracks from their older albums.
February 27th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
If they would’ve only played the last four songs of their set (all from the new album, of course) the show would’ve been perfect. I found myself thinking about old Superchunk songs for the rest of it though. What?