Of Montreal w/ the Blow and Rubies: Live @ the Great American Music Hall

How much of enjoyment is expectation?

Probably a lot.

An analysis in 2 parts:

Part 1. Of Montreal: Compared to the excellence of Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, Of Montreal played the alrightest of sets. On the up, my favorite song from the new record, "Gronlandic Edit", sounded awesome, the cover of "Proud Mary" became the next in what looks to be a long list of well-played, fun, surprise covers ("Moonage Daydream" in Texas, and "Harvest Moon" in L.A.), and I got drunk. On the low end, if you're going to put on make-up and sequins, put on a Show (Note: Capital "S") sing it like you mean it;drive it like you stole it; 3rd cliche encouraging balls-outness. Also, pick one: the laptop or 2 basses, 3 guitars, and drums. Together it sounds a little muddy(might have been the sound guy but they brought him with them). Great band. okay show.Meh.

(mp3) "Gronlandic Edit" by Of Montreal from Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? (BUY IT)

2. The Blow: Despite loving Paper Television and especially, Poor Aim: Love Songs, I didn't think a girl and a laptop could upstage a costume band. In fact, I was thinking about how nervous she must be as she took the stage and looked out at the sizable crowd, knowing that most of them were there to see a bigger, fancier band. She proceeded to immediately, make an ass of me for thinking so. She was so engaging and comfortable that she made the Great American seem half its size. She sang every song like live songs should be singed, aka: with extra words and breathless lines, instead of the note for note record reproduction that electronic bands are prone to. The gravy: She looked like she was having the time of her life and that's infectious.

(mp3) "The Sky Opened Wide Like The Tide (Lucky Dragons Newage Powermix)" by the Blow from Poor Aim: Love Songs (re-released version) (BUY IT)