Kasabian - Live In Cologne (October 28, 2009)
Muse - The Resistance (September 14, 2009)
Jet - Shaka Rock (August 19, 2009)
Mew - No More Stories / Are Told Today / I'm Sorry / They Washed Away / No More Stories / The World Is Grey / I'm Tired / Let's Wash Away (August 17, 2009))
Հայերեն (Armenian)
Առաջին սինգլը` Introducing Palace Players.
First of all, Mew (from Denmark) always release really eccentric albums, so different from each other. If there wasn’t Jonas’ vocal, I would think those are different bands playing. But besides the vocal there is something that identifies the band. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot tell you what is that exactly! But, for sure, it’s somewhere in subconsciousness.
This album is really different from the previous ones (it seems everybody decided to change their sounds in 2009, just to remember Arctic Monkeys). First of all, they are using much broken beats (of course, they are always using this trick but with THIS music it creates a different atmosphere). Mew used synth sounds: I think this is the first time ever they did it (if I’m not mistaken). As a result, with broken beats it somehow makes an illusion of dance music.. But, I mean, after 10 seconds you will realize that it’s not really a dance music. Although, if Repeaterbeater ever is played in a disco, maybe there will be people dancing to it. Hmmm.. can make a try..
One more interesting thing on the album: there is a chorus! It spreads warm waves on some songs, which is sometimes really needed for Scandinavian bands, and Mew is not an exception. As a result, the music is still cold and snowy, but it seems that there are burning candles everywhere. Perhaps, this impression is the reason why I’m writing this not in the light of an electric lamp but a candle. Hawaii is just too beautiful! :)
IAMX - Kingdom of Welcome Addiction (May 19, 2009)

Starsailor - Live in Köln (September 27, 2009)
Some years ago when I got interested in britpop they were one of my favourite bands. Of course when you are a teenager you should love these sweet chords and charming vocal. Starsailor: so depressive on the first album Love Is Here, but getting lighter and more positive album by album. I didn't listen to this music for such a long time but seeing they are having a concert near my city couldn't miss this!
Having the new album - All The Plans in my media library, never had time to listen to it (such a shame!). Well, and then I decided: why listen to it! I can enjoy it on the concert! ;)
Yes, they are not so young any more. I wouldn't say that the new album is more mature. They haven't changed and maybe it's good to see that. Althoug James Walsh isn't that slim any more, that's it :)
After the crazy and stressful week it was really nice to hear something from the past, something familiar, especially when it's live! They played lots of old songs, opening the show with Tie Up My Hands. This was the first song I have ever heard of them! Do I have to mention all the songs they have played? Ohhh, I was really happy to the old ones: Poor Misguided Fool, Alcoholic, Fidelity, Four To The Floor, Love Is Here, Silence Is Easy, In The Crossfire, Keep Us Together.. So much positive even in the most depressive ones. I like also the new album: Boy In Waiting, All The Plans, Change My Mind.. and of course, Tell Me It's Not Over. Never expected them to be so full of positive and making people laugh. Such a contrast with the music and lyrics! Paradox? :)
The venue was nice and full of people: NOT teenagers.. mostly. The crowd was speaking for itself: it's not an adolescent music, although I liked it when I was 15-16. But why likED? I like it now, too. So nice to get back to the favourite music!
Randomly yours,
Gaya
Oktoberfest - Italian Weekend (September 25-27, 2009)
There is this festival of German (especially Bavarian) culture that is so famous all around the world. Yes, Oktoberfest is held in many countries but to feel the real German culture you have to come to München.
So, the most important things to have and take for Oktoberfest:
- Somewhere to stay in München.
- A sleeping bag and a mattress just in case.
- Enough rest on previous days (sleep well and tight).
- Some.. I'm sorry.. MUCH money to spend on transportation, beer, food, souvenirs and other random things.
- Some stereotypes about German culture, Bavaria.
- And your wish to drink lots of good Bavarian beer!
Jet - Live in Cologne (September 14, 2009)
Well, this is the band to see. And just can't explain why. And even YouTube won't help. They are just great live!
Jet, Jet...
So, on September 14th, in the middle of the week, I rushed out of the office and was running like hell to the station to catch the train. Then I was heading to Cologne and.. OOPS! It seems I have the wrong ticket: it's just for a normal train, not ICE. But the girl that was checking was quite kind: she heard what I said and just let me go!!! Yes, there are still nice people in the world, that's true! :)
This was the first time that I had to use public transport in Cologne. And my map was correct this time, so subway, then walking for around 15 minutes and I'm in the place! Well, it reminded me of a club in Rome called Circolo degli Artisti but it was smaller. Well, nice memories about Circolo and nice music for warming up. And of course I couldn't refuse some German beer and.. Jet market! I got a t-shirt with K.I.A. which they didn't play during the show (actually quite strange, huh?).
I have to say, it's not really fun to go to the concerts alone.. And it's really sad to see Jet so underrated. When you say to others that you are going to see them live, first they wonder who the hell Jet is! And then they remember "what was that song? Ah... something like.. Do you want to be my girl?". Not even many of them remember the correct title of the song. Whatever! It's not the band of one song. It's really a great band deserving much more appreciation than maybe most of the bands that exist now.
Now from the sad things to optimistic ones. I was in the first row!!! Ahahahaha, I would say it was quite dangerous because of the crazy fans jumping up with every beat but it was quite fun. Then you totally forget you came all alone :P
First, of course, the warming up. Glowing Elephant.
Let's say, it was quite a strange band.. I mean, almost all their songs were about galleries (unsuccessful painters? boh!). Some kind of psychadelic stuff, with some dance punk elements. I think the guys haven't decided yet about their final sound. Anyway, the music was... warming up :) And the vocalist was hillarious! At least for me. The bassist reminded me of a friend of mine - Davo, with his curly hair. The drummer was cool! Davo, especially for you, the photo of the bass player ;)
Then it comes a loooooong break (with strange but chilling music) when everybody takes out their instruments, packing them, then the technicians coming and setting up all the equipment, checking them. Then the crew putting the bottles and towels and.. beers of course all around the stage! So 30 minutes of waiting.. and HERE THEY ARE!
Comparing with the opening band, the first sounds from Jet were quite loud and powerful. I guess it was Get What You Need. The whole crowd went just crazy! Several times Chris Cester - the drummer, had to calm down the people convincing them to be more cool. But how can you just stand still and not push everybody around and jumb high when it's one of the best hard rock/garage rock bands are playing just in a few meters away from you! It was totally crazy, awesome and rocking atmosphere.
Although the tour was called Shaka Rock but it was like a return of Get Born. Actually they didn't play so many things from the new album. I expected them to play Times Like This but they didn't. Pfffff, but it was actually even better they played Get Born mostly because it's my favourite one, I know all the songs by heart because every song I LIKE! It was such a blast!
Well, just a thing I noticed. Does anybody remember Mark Wilson THIS thin? I was shocked. He looked.. well.. really cute ^^
I can't even express how they were live. I watched so much live stuff from them but never could imagine they could be THAT great. With humour, friendly, fun guys. And really nice music..
If they come around (again) to your town, don't miss them EVER! They are worthy to see live, I promise! ;)
Still in the mood
Yours truly
Gaya
PS. And again I was riding my bike without any lights in Bonn when I was going home. :P




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