Just back from seeing The Arcade Fire. Frankly, I wasn't crazy about their recent debut album, but I'd heard that they're one of those bands "you have to see play live" so I figured I'd give them a chance. Plus, FAQ Girl likes the CD.

Aaaaannnnnd, they were... OK, I guess. I get why they've got the buzz. High energy, enthusiasm and sincerity can get you pretty far. They've got the large (7 piece, including two violins) band thing happening which is so popular with the kids these days. But the songs just weren't there for me. Sure, the arrangements were nice, but the songs were full of (as FAQ Girl put it) unearned climaxes. It was like eatin empty calories -- it feels good in the moment, but a few minutes later you can't remember why.

I'm glad I saw them, but I won't be rushing to see them again any time soon.

In other news, that Jeff Mangum guitar went for over $1000. Yay! [link]

You'd be surprised how far a tomato can go if you put your arm into it, Angus.

You haven't seen me throw, Michele!

t Makes mental note to choose tomatoes at thirty paces if he ever has to duel Angus...

I never did send a new copy of mine on to Angus because I had no CD burner.

Tina, if you want, I can burn off a copy and send it on to Angus. I have some other CDs coming in from Teppy that I'll be sending along anyway.

Or tina, if you want to hang out sometime, I could bring along my iBook and copy some CDs for you.

There is a Midwest Buffista mailing list. When I got a sec I'll dig up the URL where you can sign up for it.

Congrats on your move, Tina! Send an addy my way and I'll send you my year-end mix.

I think I finally have my year-end mix together. It's better than 'eh', less than 'scintillating', just like 2004 itself. If you want a copy, email me at the profile addy. Tell me whether you want a standard audio (plays anywhere!) or mp3 (less typing!) CD. Also tell me whether you would like me to include, at random, a book from the towering stack of inappropriate review copies, surplus galleys, and dupes cluttering up my offices ...

I managed to get U2 tickets for the second Seattle show (added because the first show sold out in about 5 minutes). They're painfully expensive, but it was all that was available, and I'm going.

Time to start working some overtime to pay for them...

Tina, if you want, I can burn off a copy and send it on to Angus.

DX, that would be so great if you could. I would appreciate it. I have *two* CD burners that don't work right now and I'm not sure when that is going to change.

Or tina, if you want to hang out sometime, I could bring along my iBook and copy some CDs for you.

Also good. We should hang - a trip to an area comic book shop and some music stores with any other Chicago-istas who felt up for such things would be a fun thing to do...as soon as my money situation is just a little more stable. Which actually might not be too long from now.

There is a Midwest Buffista mailing list. When I got a sec I'll dig up the URL where you can sign up for it.

Again, I appreciate it.

Send an addy my way and I'll send you my year-end mix.

Woo-hoo! Insent in just a sec, hayden. Thanks - for the mix and well wishes!!

If you want a copy, email me at the profile addy. Tell me whether you want a standard audio (plays anywhere!) or mp3 (less typing!) CD. Also tell me whether you would like me to include, at random, a book from the towering stack of inappropriate review copies, surplus galleys, and dupes cluttering up my offices ...

Again - woo!! Again, insent.

I have no year-end mix to offer. But as soon as the ol CD burner is back up and running I am going to begin going through my roommate's collection of rare stuff and bootlegs, etc. and there will be mixes..oh yes, there will be mixes.

eta: Did anybody else catch the Pixies on ACL last night? It was great to see them that close after seeing them live. Yes, it was almost the exact same songs done the same exact way as the live show I saw - but my Pixies love has been at new levels since I saw them so I was happy to catch them on the teevee.

Did anybody else catch the Pixies on ACL last night?

Yes! It was on here a few nights ago. It was really good. Much better than I expected.

I might be going to U2!!!