2008: Truths and Recollections

R.E.M. , Modest Mouse and The National

June 8th Molson Ampitheatre, Toronto

Ever since coming across the National's breakthrough album Alligator (2005), they have held a space on my virtual cd shelf alongside lifetime favorites R.E.M. There is a similarity between the type of music driving both these bands. The prospect of having your new favorite band open for your all time favorite band, mid-summer at an outdoor venue seemed too good to be true. The National's live show has come a long way since I first saw them supporting Alligator. They came across like a band possessed, playing as though something larger was at stake. The sound coming from the stage provided by brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner and brothers Scott and Bryan Devendorf, as well as multi intrumentalist Padma Newsome was overwhelming, especially for an outdoor venue. To the spectator, it could well have been their own living room. Matt Berninger commanded the stage while the band provided searing renditions from a set list that seemed to be picked with the idea of winning over all of R.E.M.'s fan base. The National can rock with the best of them, but they can also build a song emotionally, a quality that seemed to fit the sunset and and welcome in the cooler summer night.

R.E.M. has been my favorite band for over 18 years. They are akin to an old friend who gives more than it takes. No relationship in life is perfect and well, people change. The band's last couple of albums were tests of patience for the truest of fans, some wondering was the best behind them? With this years release of Accelerate R.E.M. proved that despite being spun around by Bill Berry's departure in 1998, it has again found it the energy and creativity that made the band a success story of 80's underground. The 2008 Accelerate tour was a celebration of their vast catalogue of music that it has created since 1983, Changing set lists nightly so that no two shows were the same. The band came to the stage playing new material such as "Living Well Is The Best Revenge" and "Houston" resting nicely between the fan favorites such as "These Days" and "Maps and Legends". As the show drew to an end, the band broke out into a stripped down version of "Let Me In ", a song written for Kurt Cobain from the 1995 album Monster, which made for an unexpected surprise. Other surprises came from Jonny Marr of Modest Mouse when he came out to guest on "Fall On Me". Witnessing Peter Buck's Rickenbacher backed by Marr's Rickenbacher made a daydream I probably had in high school come true.

Unfortunately I completely missed Modest Mouse due to an altercation at the beer stand. Apparently buying a beer as a thirty three year old adult in Toronto isn't cut and dry.