Old and Nu

Just bought tickets to see Gary Numan. He's someone I've always liked, but now I'm loving. I had heard vaguely that he had a harder sound in recent years. Wow. It's beautiful. It's exciting. And I'm going to see him. I love that anticipation. Wondering what it will be like. I don't know most of his new material. But I'm trying to get up to speed over the next few days.
I watched an interview with him recently. He expressed his frustration at peoples' desire for 'retro tours'. I can understand what he's saying. He wants to be seen as an artist in this moment. Not as someone from the 80s. Yes, he was there. Yes, he was very relevant and groundbreaking. But he still is. And, like most great artists, his work is richer, more meaningful, more emotional, than when he was a younger man.
I've got a picture below of Trent Reznor and Gary Numan for a few reasons. First, as many might know, Mr. Reznor regularly attributes Mr. Numan as a major influence. Good on you, Trent. Respect for those who came before is a must. And the industrial and electronica movements owe a great debt to Gary Numan and countless others. They have performed together in recent years, which is a joy to watch. I saw NIN with Bauhaus a few years ago... a subject I'll be writing about soon. Needless to say, Trent Reznor and Pete Murphy together on stage was quite a thrill.
This reminds me of a conversation I had recently with a 20-year-old woman about NIN. She started it by saying, 'They're not as cool as they were.' I have to say, I had to hold my tongue. I hate that expression, which almost always comes up when people pine for the good old days of whichever artist they're talking about. I feel particularly well-placed to discuss that particular band, as I was there for the beginning, when I was her age. However, I am still here for this moment, too. I have watched NIN, for all these years, age. And grow. And evolve. This is not something to be ridiculed. This is something to celebrate. Like Depeche Mode, NIN has evolved and is making music relevant to where they are at this moment. Why should Trent Reznor be stuck in his potent rage of Pretty Hate Machine? It was a spasmodically exciting album, and a period and type of music that probably saved me from substance abuse as it allowed me to express my rage and frustration with the world in the relative safety of the industrial dance clubs of the early 90s. However, just as I've grown and dare I say, matured, so has Trent Reznor. It's what people do. It's the nature of things. It's not bad or wrong. An artist, just like anyone, must evolve.

And that's what Mr Numan is doing. And actually, for my taste, at this moment in time, Mr Numan is doing something that is damned exciting and beautiful. His music is powerful and passionate. I can't wait to see what he gets up to at the Metro!

Terrible Love is Terribly Lovely

I came to The National through an ad in our local paper, The Isthmus. I saw the ad, liked their photo. They looked sufficiently indie and earnest... maybe they had something interesting going on. I started downloading their new album, High Violet, and was immediately charmed. I should let it be known that I'm mostly about the voice. And my god, what a special one Matt Berninger has. It's a baritone that immediately sets you at ease. And I was fascinated by his phrasing... his pauses... such an interesting and eerie, soothing and unsettling sound.
So, I did what I never do. I bought tickets immediately. And I'm so glad I did! It was a joy to be able to go see a band in my hometown again. Bands that I like so rarely come to Madison. No long schlepp home on the Tube or by car. Just ten minutes from my house. You can tell my age from that being a big part of the pleasure factor for the evening!
The show was mellow and lovely and mesmerizing. They were clearly pretty excited and worked up (in their own, strangely English, and very low key way. They'd just played for the President's visit to town. Matt talked about this with good humor off and on throughout the show, joking that he was sure the President was pretty nervous to meet them.
The rest of the band is made up of two sets of brothers. The twins, Aaron and Bryce Dessner, are on guitar. They create a richly layered sound between them. They are all amazing musicians. I met one Dessner, not sure which one, after the show... Denise and I were walking outside and I spotted him, shook his hand, and thanked him for a wonderful evening. I think Denise thought I was insane... in these situations, I have no fear, though I regularly make a fool of myself. I think I did ok... was just as I always am when I meet a musician or actor that I particularly like—genuinely impressed and a bit starstruck, and very concerned that they know how much they are appreciated.
The songs were wonderful. Only complaint was that Matt decided to scream his way through a few of the choruses. I suspect he was losing his voice, and felt it covered it up... it was frustrating. Also frustrating was the overemphasis of the violinist, who actually managed to ruin 'England', probably their most beautiful song.
I greatly appreciate his lyrics, and wouldn't have really gotten them just ten years ago. The themes are mature, and hover in areas of gray that a person can't truly relate to until she's reached a certain age, been hurt by cynicism, had the edges of real idealism rubbed off through experience. I find their songs very soothing...

This is a band that deserves far more attention and praise. Their quiet dignity probably won't allow for that, but they should find solace in the fact that they make the kind of music that nestles itself into a person's soul and never leaves.