3rd Times A Charm

I usually dread Mondays, but this past Monday was different.

I went to the Porcupine Tree concert at the Roxy in Atlanta. This was my third time to see them in concert.

When we got there, the line to get inside was extremely long compared to the last two times I saw them. However, we were able to squeeze up to the front of the stage.

The concert was opened by the American experimental/progressive rock band 3. They played a solid set with loads of extraordinary riffs. The bass player, Daniel Grimsland, was nothing short of outstanding. You could almost feel your heart step out of its rhythm and get in sync with his playing. Then later, the drummer, Chris Gartmann, and keyboardist/percussionist, Joe Stote, went at it with each other in what seemed a battle to see who would crack first on their rhythms. Going in to the concert, I was afraid that I would be bored to death while waiting for Porcupine Tree to take the stage. I was wrong. I was blown away.

Finally, the moment had arrived. One of my two favorite bands of all time took the stage. Opening with "Fear of a Blank Planet," PT set the mood for the rest of the show. The crowd proceeded to go crazy. At first, the band seemed a little reserved in their actions on stage, but Steven Wilson eventually confessed that the Atlanta show was one of the shows being recorded for some material for a live album. As if the crowd wasn't excited enough, we all went crazy over this announcement. PT continued to play without falter the rest of the night. They even pulled out some much older and rarer songs out for the crowd.

I guess I have a few reasons for wanting to go to see Porcupine Tree each time they come to Atlanta. First, they never put on the same show. The solos are played a little different and a little better each time. The atmosphere is always a little different. The fans and concert-goers are always courteous. And, you almost feel like you are part of an elite group that knows about one of the best kept secrets in rock music. If you haven't seen a Porcupine Tree concert, you don't know what you are missing and you won't be disappointed. I know I am never disappointed, and last night was no exception.

Escape from the Busy Planet

Here lately, I have been extremely busy. This has left me extremely tired.

However, I have found time to listen and, in some cases, review some pretty good albums.

I have went back to listening to some old faves. I have been listening to Black Holes & Revelations and Absolution by Muse. Particularly, I have been listening to "Knights of Cydonia" off of Black Holes to help me wake up for those early morning classes. The song just gets you pumped up for the day when you hit just a little past its four minute mark. If you haven't heard it, you need to take the time to give it a chance.

Muse Black Holes & Revelations

Muse Absolution

I have also had the chance to do several reviews for The Chanticleer. Last week, I reviewed the new Riverside album, Rapid Eye Movement. I was simply blown away by the level of complexity of the music. This week, I reviewed the new Coheed & Cambria album, No World for Tomorrow. If you want my review on it, you have to check it out when it is printed out in this week's issue of The Chanticleer or on The Chanticleer's website on Thursday.

Riverside Rapid Eye Movement

Coheed and Cambria No World for Tomorrow

Music is by far one of my favorite escapes from the hustle and bustle of my life. Thankfully, I have had plenty of music to help me escape. I welcome with open arms an escape from this fast moving world.

Cover It Up

Have you ever just seen the cover of an album that just drew you in towards it? I have found myself being mesmerized by an album's cover many times. However, I sometimes find that you can't judge an album by it's cover. I have made that mistake all too many times.

Every once and awhile, you will find that the album covers that draw you in encase what will one day become one of your favorite albums.

Lovedrug Everything Starts Where It Ends

Then, you can also find album covers that just seem to fit the album perfectly.

Sun Kil Moon Ghosts of the Great Highway

Also, some album covers become simply iconic.

Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon

If you are like me, you also have you have certain album covers that are your favorites.

Pink Floyd The Division Bell

Porcupine Tree Deadwing

For me, a good album should be accompanied by a good album cover.

P.S. If some of this does not make sense, it will help to know that I wrote this on very little sleep.

It's a bird! It's a Train! No, it's Pat Monahan!

Normally I write about my opinions on music but something happened that caught me off guard. I went to my desk at the office, and it happened!

I had been Monahan-ed!

Pat Monahan, known for being the frontman for Train, was everywhere. My desk was surrounded by Pat Monahan stuff. As if that weren't bad enough, when I turned on my computer, his new album was on my itunes. When I got online my homepage had been set to the Youtube page of the music video for Train's "Drops of Jupiter."

I will never forget the day that Pat Monahan invaded my desk.

I'm in the mood for...

It happens all the time. You come home from work, school, a date or something else and you are in a certain mood. You're depressed. Heavy metal won't fit the mood. You've went out with the most amazing person you have ever met. You've got to find some music that will help you stay in that place of splendor.

I often find that my mood dictates what I want to hear on my computer or radio.

When I just want to think and relax, I often put in Sun Kil Moon's Ghosts of the Great Highway or David Gilmour's On An Island.

If I am going to go out just to ride around just for the sake of riding, I may put in Rilo Kiley's Under the Blacklight, Lovedrug's Everything Starts Where It Ends or Porcupine Tree's Deadwing.

If it's one of those days that I just need to get some motivation to get going, I may crank up Foo Fighter's In Your Honor or anything by Billy Idol.

If I am in an affectionate mood, the Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden" always hits the spot.

If I am just in a romantic mood, Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" is always perfect or else "When the Stars Go Blue" by The Corrs and Bono.

I believe it is just human nature to connect so deeply with music. From an athlete listening to Patera's Vulgar Display of Power to get pumped up for a game to a guy trying to be sexy with his lady by playing Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," people love to have music that reflects what they feel at the time. However, the guy that tried to use "Let's Get It On" might soon find himself listening to "How Could This Happen To Me" by Simple Plan.