M. Ward @ Park West (Jan 29 2007)

last night I had the pleasure of seeing M Ward live for the first time in a "rare solo performance" (as the ticket reads). The best word to describe this show is EXCELLENT. with no dramatic entrance he just walked out and started to play. his guitar held the great low tones that are usually lost when acoustics are plugged in and his style was so manic. my friend will describe his hand like a squid attacking the strings. it was wonderful. in addition to a wide variety of Mr. Ward's catalogue we were also grace with his film debut which turned out to be more of a humorous power point. hats off to Mr. Gore. one of these last slides included a picture of the great Daniel Johnston which was surpisingly great. then it got better. after the presentation came to an end he played my favorite Johnston song "Story of an Artist". i was almost in tears. it was a very emotional show and Ward knew just when to bring things down and then start back up. i was in a trance. in other words a great show.

Score = 9.5/10

and here is another 2007 album. I should have the last review for january (which will be !!!'s "Myth Takes") by tomorrow and an overview of january will follow.

Jesu
Conqueror

Conqueror 5
Old year 4.5
Transfigure 4.5
Weightless & horizontal 3.5
Medicine 4
Brighteyes 4
Mother Earth 4
Stanlow 5

34.5/40
Score = 8.6

i am a farely new Jesu fan. my friend steve introduced me to them and i have enjoyed everything i have heard by them. "Conqueror" is the first great album of 2007 for me. it really struck a chord with what i have been into lately. a love between the heavy slow and melodic. a fuller realization of their "Silver" EP with punch you up guitar heaviness and sweepy vocals. A sort of Low meets Starflyer 59's first album. sure the album drags but it is suppose to. you are suppose to get lost in the distortion, in the drones in the depth. for such a heavy record it is actually quite relaxing. i have heard the shoegazer tag applied to this record, but i feel it is much different in execution. the drumming is a major difference in that they are more straight forward, laying back with the guitars shedding the more dancey rhythms of more shoegazer genre oriented groups. the distortion is more rough and gritty than fuzzy. check this out.