Hott Tickets!
by Mike Conklin
With two shows scheduled in the next couple weeks, I figure it’s time for an update on my relationship with the Hold Steady’s, Boys and Girls in America. Much, of course, has been made of the fact that, unlike Separation Sunday, there’s not a single concept tying the whole thing together, but a loose theme, summed up by the opening line, taken from Kerouac’s On the Road: “Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together.” It’s a funny, appropriate sentiment, and it’s almost enough to carry the entire record. Things fall off a bit by the end, with ‘Southtown Girls’ and ‘Chillout Tent’, with those awful vocals from Elizabeth Elmore. I’m not quite sold on ‘First Night’ or ‘You Can Make Him Love You’ either, but the bad-kids-at-the-high-school-dance vibe of ‘Massive Night’ is enough to make up for all of it. It’s still not Separation Sunday good, but then again, what is? (The band plays on 11/22 at Warsaw and 11/24 at Maxwell’s)
Also of Note:
11/23 The Littl’ans at the Annex
What better way to spend Thanksgiving than with a bunch of Londoners who don’t care about our holiday?
11/29 The Lovely Feathers at Union Hall
The only song I listen to, ever, is ‘Frantic’ by the Lovely Feathers. It’s dancy, like the best of Hot Hot Heat. And it sort of sounds like late-period Clash, but I can’t figure out how, exactly.
12/4–12/6 Ryan Adams at Town Hall
Say what you will, but he still writes better songs than most. And shit, aren’t you sick of having to stand at shows? .
Also of Note:
11/23 The Littl’ans at the Annex
What better way to spend Thanksgiving than with a bunch of Londoners who don’t care about our holiday?
11/29 The Lovely Feathers at Union Hall
The only song I listen to, ever, is ‘Frantic’ by the Lovely Feathers. It’s dancy, like the best of Hot Hot Heat. And it sort of sounds like late-period Clash, but I can’t figure out how, exactly.
12/4–12/6 Ryan Adams at Town Hall
Say what you will, but he still writes better songs than most. And shit, aren’t you sick of having to stand at shows? .
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