Lolla. Epic.

Lollapalooza is a three day music festival of absolutely epic proportions.  As a Chicagoan of over three years, I obliged to attend at least one.  At the end of it all, it's nearly impossible to describe my abundance of love for it.  My parents raised me and my brother with an appreciation of all types of music (primarily Fleetwood Mac, Meatloaf, the Eagles, the Beatles, you name it).  Ryan began playing guitar around the age of eleven and I am still jealous of his ability to create.  Someone, if you're reading this, buy me an acoustic please!

I wrote about Lolla, I talked about it plenty, played the music on loop, and took enough pictures.  I will leave you with those because sometimes experience cannot be put into words.  Seriously, three of the best days of my life.

One for mom and dad.

 When Crystal wants to sit on a broad man's shoulders to see Eminem, she gets it done. 

Then it rained for over an hour, as me and my friends stood forlorn and defeated under trees that provided us no shelter.  Ryan's dri-fit shirt wouldn't even keep him dry.  That is the moment we knew to embrace the storm.

Double rainbow? What does it mean?!

Why are we planking?  Because we are at Lolla and in the middle of Jackson St. and can do whatever we want.  That's why we are planking.

 It took three days for me to feel clean again and there may still be mud behind my ear.  Worth it.

 

Then this.  David Grohl and Foo Fighters killed it.  During the most intense storm of Lolla (seriously, pelting rain hitting your face hurts) we sang "My Hero."  Just watch.

This gives me chills every time.

Splitting at the Seams

Interpret however you wish, but I love this song.  It is a Band of Brothers recreation by Cee-Lo Green (whom I am delighted to see this weekend at Lollapalooza).  He's like a penguin with t-rex arms that can belt out a song.  What a trifecta.

Tragic hipster love.

Beyond the Grey

New artist I enjoy, Skylar Grey.  More deserving of Rhianna in "Love the Way You Lie" and the original recording.  The angelic background vocals in Dre's "I Need a Doctor" and of course, before Diddy can destroy her voice, she is also in "Coming Home."  I dig it.

Actual blog coming soon.  Lots going on.  "Your life is just craaaazy."  - Dad, sarcastic.

Music and Lyrics

A YouTube comment rarely makes me laugh.  Today, one did.



Comment: A pale imitation of Rebecca Black, this song cowers in the presence of her lyrical genius and gentle tones.

If you haven't listened to Radical Face I suggest you do.

iPod Shuffle

I rarely ever judge a person on his or her musical tastes.  Variety is the spice of life and if I want to listen to Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Rhianna and B.o.B. on the Monday after the Grammys than that's my prerogative.  The only exception to this rule is Nickelback; thanks for nothing Canada.  Music transcends geography, age and class as an art form without a pinpointed historical beginning and without a likely end.

My fascination with music as a performing art is likely the result of the fact that I have little of my own skills in this department.  Outside of air drumming and the the "look-I'm-holding-an-invisible-microphone-in-a-bar-while-singing" mannerisms this is sadly a side of me I haven't discovered...yet.  I'm holding onto that hope.

So here are my short takeaways from last night all of which were said by me, out loud, during last night's awards.  Most to another person.

• Lady Gaga's prosthetic "shoulders" reminded me of the aliens in Independence Day and in the worst way possible
• After the Mumford & Sons performance, the lead singer dropped back two steps and threw a 60-yard pass into the side of Dr. Dre's face thereby proving that he is Tim Tebow
• Jury is still out on the relevancy of showing Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman between each commercial break
• Gwenyth Paltrow should only sing on Glee, with her best friend "auto tune"
• Bob Dylan is a legend.  There is no other excuse for that performance
• Was Mick Jagger wearing Skecher's Shape Ups?
• I waited for Eminem's shout out to Brisk Iced Tea during his acceptance speech.  If you're going to sell out, go big
• Katy Perry's best asset?  Boobs.
• Finally, I hope we can all agree that the real winnre of the night was the Jim Henson Company for "The Song Otherwise Known as 'Forget You'"  Cee-Lo looked like he ate Big Bird
• Arcade Fire.  Woop.

Beard of Brother's

This weekend my brother sported a beard that made him look like a member of Band of Horses.  That and Jesus and homeless.  I was simply full of comparisons for him.

This video is full of "B" things.  Beards like my Brother's, Break Ups, Bicycles and Brushing [of teeth].  I like it.  It's a little sad but I like that about it too.