The Gaslight Anthem deliver the power of rock and roll

Earlier tonight, a group of us that included Sarah and Ben went to the Lincoln Theatre to catch the show by the visiting Gaslight Anthem.  The Lincoln is in some ways quite cool and in others way too grungy, but it'll always be near and dear to me as the place I took Sarah for her first live rock-and-roll concert. 

I very much enjoyed tonight's show.  Lead singer Brian Fallon roared his way through a 90-minute set that, to all of our surprise, did not include an encore. 

Click an image to see a larger version.

When I'm at a rock concert, I forget for at least a few moments, and often for longer, my age, my fatness, my job, everything except the music.  I'm sixteen again, the music pounding through me and letting me know that others share my dreams, that I can do it--whatever it is.  I soak in energy and really am that angry, lonely, horny, artsy, frustrated teenager once again, howling with the music. 

Live music has its own special power, and I can't imagine ever stopping wanting to attend concerts.

I will always love rock and roll.



Photo courtesy of Sarah.

On heavy rotation right now

The Fray's new album, Scars & Stories, is out, and some of its songs are now in heavy rotation in my current listening mix.

Here's the first song on the CD, "Heartbeat."



And the second, "The Fighter."



Of course, from a fighter to a "Boxer" is only a short step, so let's go there.



You can't think music and a boxer, though, without "The Boxer."



And then the mood brings me back to The Fray's classic, a tune that often mirrors the inside of Jon's head, a song I heard over and over while in Italy on a cherished trip with my daughter, a trip I will never forget and always treasure.



That's kind of the way it runs in my head, sometimes, many times, this time.

I need to see these guys live

No doubt.

What's playing in my car right now

One answer, of course, is whatever is on my iPhone, but that list is too long to share. So, I'll go with one song from each of the four CDs currently in the changer.

Enjoy.







For this last one, to see the video for this song, you have to go to YouTube. Sorry about that.

Brushing cheeks with Spring

Spring danced by for a visit today. Not to stay, no not yet, but to tease and to play, warm rosy cheek brushing ours but no kiss yet, no not yet. As I rushed along the highway in the blue blue day and the phone call ended, the music returned and out came this song.



Flowers swayed in gentle breezes and lovers found their passion renewed. Kids spilled into yards and games materialized on courts and fields and yards and stoops. Lungs breathed a tad easier and smiles found little resistance.

Today Spring passed by, and we all came to dance.

RED

I know this film came out quite a few weeks ago, but I've been meaning to talk about it for a while and just haven't gotten to it. So sue me.

First, the bottom line: I loved every completely silly minute of RED. It never dragged, nor did it ever stray remotely close to realism, and I'm completely fine with that. I didn't want it to be real. I wanted it to be what it was: a velocity exercise, a hey-let's-get-the-gang-together-again homage, a gasp of hope for older folks who still dream of being tough and hot.

All the stars delivered exactly the goods. Bruce Willis returned to his glory days and provided most of the action. Morgan Freeman was wise and smart and captivating. John Malkovich turned in one of his full-on crazy performances, and he does them so very well. Karl Urban, as the young agent chasing them, started out cardboard and then became more.

And, of course, there was Helen Mirren. While showing every bit of her age, she was graceful, hot, deadly, and funny; that woman can act.

If you haven't seen this movie and it's still playing anywhere near you, catch it on the big screen while you can.

To tide you over until you can see it, here's a little ironic musical commentary on aspects of the film: two songs from two great Jersey groups I love.

First, the newer one.



Then, the classic.

What I'm listening to right now

and in heavy rotation, too. It's an awesome album. Enjoy these two cuts.

First, the title track.



And now, the song I quoted the other day.



Damn, I love this band.

Two new albums you should pre-order

I'm excited about both of these CDs, and I recommend you start planning now to listen to them.

The first is The Hold Steady's Heaven Is Whenever, which is due on May 4. I've praised this band before and seen them live twice; you don't want to miss them if they come near you. The little I've heard from this CD is wonderful.

For example, check out "Hurricane J," the first single from the album.



For Sarah's take on this album and band, go here.

The other upcoming must-have CD is The Gaslight Anthem's American Slang. You have to wait until June 15 for this one, but from the little I've heard, it'll be worth the wait.

Want a sample? Check out the title track.



I've never seen these guys live, but the first chance I get, I will.

Loud rock late at night. I'll always love it.