Odds and ends before the weekend

First and foremost, hope my loyal readers (OK all 3 of you) had a wonderful holiday season. It’s been about two weeks or so since I’ve posted anything, but I’m back.
Since I last posted, the Mets signed Jason Bay. Good signing by Minaya, especially since he waited it out and didn’t give in to Bay’s agent, who was hoping for a guaranteed fifth year. Instead, Bay gets a four-year, $66 million contract (Omar’s first offer). That’s still a ton of money, but since the Mets were basically bidding against themselves, there was no need to up the offer, especially since there are many holes yet to be filled.
The team should now turn its attention to starting pitching, but the free agent options are less than stellar. Joel Pineiro, who has basically had one good season in the last five, wants three years and $30 million. Too much, too risky for the Mets. They’d be better signing a few guys coming off injuries to one-year, incentive-laden deals, where they might receive a No. 2 starter for a bargain-basement price. Guys like Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard and Chien-Ming Wang would fit into this category. However, if they sign a guy like that, it would behoove them to pursue an innings eater, maybe via trade.
I’ve heard names like Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, and even Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs mentioned as possibilities. Since these guys have huge contracts, the Mets probably wouldn’t have to empty the farm system to acquire them. Something for Omar to consider.
Minaya is right to be patient on Bengie Molina as well. A 35-year-old slow-as-molasses catcher doesn’t need a three-year contract. That would be asinine. See if he’ll accept a two-year deal with a lower annual salary or a one-year deal with an option (with a highter annual salary). If he doesn’t agree, tell him to shove it and sign Rod Barajas or Yorvit Torrealba to a one-year deal.

Penn State wins: Nice to see the Nittany Lions finish the year with a victory, as Penn State won the Capital One Bowl, 19-17, over LSU. I watched most of the first three quarters at my in-laws’ house before leaving for work. PSU was in control when I left, taking a 16-3 lead and dominating the action. Suffice to say, I was pretty shocked when I got to work 35 minutes later and LSU had a 17-16 lead. Thinking the Nittany Lions were about to lose another big game (their two losses came against the only ranked opponents they had faced in Iowa and Ohio State), the Lions rallied with a clock-eating fourth-quarter drive, capped by a Collin Wagner 21-yard field goal with 57 seconds left. It wasn’t over, as LSU got a nice kickoff return and immediately picked up a first down to cross midfield. But a questionable (ok downright awful) personal foul call on LSU when they were trying to rush back to the line to spike the ball pretty much ended the game. All and all, it was a pretty embarrassing game for the refs all around, as they earlier couldn’t keep track of the downs after a pair of penalties were called against Penn State. The Nittany Lions completed the season 11-2 and will likely finish in the Top 10. Not bad at all.

Soundgarden reuniting: I was excited to see a story on the Rolling Stone web site proclaiming a Soundgarden reunion. Chris Cornell confirmed the news on his Twitter page. Last year, there was news of an upcoming Soundgarden boxed set with rarities from their recording history. Now, we may get a new album or possibly a tour. Whatever happens, glad to see one of my favorite bands of all time together again.

At least it’s something

The Mets signed Japanese relief pitcher Ryota Igarashi tonight, according to multiple reports. I’ve never seen the guy pitch, but I’ve read he features a mid 90s fastball along with decent breaking stuff. Projects as a setup reliever, although I’m not sure if he’ll be the eighth inning guy or not. Also, looks like talks are really heating up with Jason Bay. If the Mets offer him a five-year deal, that might be enough to get it done. Still need starting pitching, and there aren’t a lot of attractive options out there. No real bonafide No. 2 starters available, so we’ll see what Omar comes up with.

Another bad day for the Mets

While Omar Minaya sits in the fetal position somewhere, other GMs are actually doing something to improve their teams.
The first bit of bad news today was the signing of free agent pitcher John Lackey by the Red Sox.
Then, the bombshell. The Phillies acquired ace Roy Halladay in a three-team megatrade between themselves, Toronto and Seattle. Philadelphia reportedly is sending Cliff Lee to the Mariners, so I’m unsure if they actually will get better here. However, they’re also getting prospects back from the Mariners, including promising pitcher Philippe Aumont (according to reports). It remains unclear just what else the teams are getting. I’ve heard Kyle Drabek (the Phillies’ top pitching prospect) is involved, but maybe it’s J.A. Happ instead. One of the Phillies’ outfield prospects appears to be heading out in the deal, but no one knows just yet.
With Lackey and now Halladay off the market (as well as the previous signings of Randy Wolf and Rich Harden), the pitching choices are starting to get thin. Will the Mets pursue Joel Pineiro? How about Jason Marquis? Maybe guys coming off injuries like Ben Sheets?
One thing they shouldn’t do is give a three-year deal to aging catcher Bengie Molina. There are reports that Molina wants a three-year deal, but the Mets would be wise to avoid this.
At this point, it becomes necessary the Mets land Jason Bay or Matt Holliday. Then, they’ve got to upgrade the pitching somehow, but I’m not sure how much of an upgrade Pineiro and Marquis will provide (especially if they want huge contracts). One thing I know for sure, the Phillies continue to apply the pressure. Doubt they’ll be done making moves, as I’m sure they’ll add another starting pitcher to the mix, especially if Happ and Lee are gone. Would be nice to see the Mets’ GM do something besides sign 50 backup catchers.

A few Mets thoughts

This past week’s Winter Meetings went by with nary a move by Omar Minaya, although he seemed to lay the groundwork on a few moves. The Mets offered contracts to outfielder Jason Bay and catcher Bengie Molina.
I’ve always been a fan of Bay, and his power bat would play well at CitiField. I prefer Matt Holliday, I just think he’s a little better hitter (and a bit younger) but I can understand targeting Bay, since he’ll likely cost a little less and the negotiations probably won’t take as long as Holliday (who is represented by Scott Boras, king of getting teams to overpay for his clients). I can take or leave Molina. He’s getting older and I’m hoping the Mets don’t offer much more than a year contract with an option (although it’ll probably be a two-year offer since guys like Ivan Rodriguez, the putrid Jason Kendall and Yorvit Torrealba are getting multi-year deals). Molina has some power, but his OBP is horrible and carrying him and Jeff Francoeur in the lineup would give the Mets two potential sub .300 OBP guys, which isn’t ideal to say the least.
The Mets have many holes to fill. I would somehow love if Omar could land Bay and free-agent prize pitcher John Lackey, although it appears the Mets will be able to land just one of the big three free agents (Lackey, Bay, Holliday). The rest of the pitching free agents are an underwhelming group (especially with Rich Harden and Randy Wolf now off the board). The Mets seem interested in Jason Marquis, which would be a fine back-of-the-rotation filler, although he’s wanting middle of the rotation money. They could take a flier on high-risk high-reward guys coming off injuries like Ben Sheets or Chien-Ming Wang, which would only enhance the need for an innings eater like Marquis. As a fan, it would have been nice to have a major signing already on the board, but we can’t really judge the offseason until February, so there’s plenty of time for Minaya to make quality additions. The gap between the Mets and Phillies has never been wider, and I’d take the Braves and Marlins’ pitching staffs over the Mets right now as well. Lots of work to be done, Omar. Get to it!

Music review: Them Crooked Vultures

While I was away in Europe, one of the most anticipated releases of 2009 (in my mind anyway) came out, and it was rough having to wait until I got back to hear it.
Them Crooked Vultures, the “supergroup” featuring members of Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Queens of the Stone Age, unleashed their self-titled debut to a rock world in need of a jolt.
Lead guitarist/lead vocalist Josh Homme joined forces with bassist/keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and drummer Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) to deliver a delight to those of us who enjoy sleazy hard rock with big riffs, killer hooks and a titanic rhythm section.
Although Homme is the band’s leader and primary songwriter, it’s Grohl and Jones who elevate the project from a mere Queens of the Stone Age soundalike.
Grohl, a gifted songwriter in his own right, went back behind the drum kit, and his thunderous playing is found every where. From the opening beat of lead single “New Fang”, you’re reminded just how good a drummer Grohl really is.
The first three tracks – “No One Loves Me and Neither Do I,” “Mind Eraser, No Chaser,” and “New Fang” kick the proceedings off with a bang. “No One Loves Me and Neither Do I” undergoes a series of time changes, starting as a slinky number with smooth Homme vocals and ending with a monster riff worthy of Jimmy Page. “Mind Eraser” contains one of the few instances where Grohl is noticeably heard on vocals, as he and Homme trade vocal lines throughout to great effect. “New Fang” is one of the tracks most resembling Queens of the Stone Age, only with the best rhythm section money could buy.
Around track five, the band starts to flex its muscle with longer, more adventurous tunes. “Elephants” starts off with a fury, with riffs straight out of “Physical Graffitti”, but at the two minute mark, the pace slows down and a completely different song seems to take hold. The track ends just as it began, with the fast-paced Zeppelin riffs. Great stuff. “Scumbag Blues” sounds like a bastard son of Zeppelin and Cream, as Homme’s vocals resemble Jack Bruce’s a la “I Feel Free”. Jones adds a funky clavinet break that sounds fairly similar to “Trampled Under Foot.” Track 8 “Reptiles” is one of my many favorites, with its helter-skelter rhythm and almost stream-of-consciousness lyrics from Homme. What he’s talking about, lord only knows, but it sounds so damn good. “Interlude With Ludes” is just what it sounds like, a drug-hazed spaceout, with music that sounds like it was recorded in the next room and Homme’s vocals sounding somewhat reminscent of Ray Davies of the Kinks.
My favorite song title on the album “Warsaw or the First Breath You Take After You Give Up” is another long tune with a menacing stomp and swirling guitars.
Another one of my favorites is the penultimate tune “Gunman”, which could be best described as dance-funk with metal guitars. It’s easiest the funkiest and most danceable track here, showing this band is capable of playing so many different styles of music.
The final track is the heavy “Spinning in Daffodils”, with hard-to-decipher vocals from Homme due the metallic guitar crunch throughout the song. In typical Vultures fashion, the song ends with a surprising shift, decomposing into a little acoustic shuffle that fades out just as you want some more.
I’ve had this album in my car stereo since I got it, I just can’t get enough of it. Easily the best album I’ve bought this year and the finest rock album I’ve heard in quite some time. There are already reports the band will cut a second album, which is great news to me since I thought they might just be a one-off side project. If you haven’t done so already, listen to this album. If you want a starting point, listen to the first three tracks. They’ll get you hooked instantly, while the rest of the album takes two or three spins before you truly appreciate how great it is.

The Sod rating: *****
Ratings scale:
***** Hall of Fame album
**** Perennial All-star
*** Solid starter
** Bench warmer
* Guy that cleans up all the peanut shells after the game

Andy and Tina’s European Vacation

If you’re wondering why I haven’t posted in awhile, I was in Europe for two weeks with my lovely wife.
We returned Sunday, and I’m still getting accustomed to the time change (five hours ahead in England, six ahead in France, Switzerland and Italy).
The trip was unbelievable, one we’ll never forget. We’re already planning to return to some of our favorite spots, and we still have some European countries we want to visit (Spain, Ireland and Scotland tops on the list).
We started off with four days in England, and we loved it there. Tina really enjoyed the shopping on London’s Oxford Street, while my favorite part was naturally the Beatles walking tour, where I got to walk across the famous Abbey Road crossing. We also visited a few other famous Beatles sites, including the old Apple office, where the Beatles played their final gig on that building’s rooftop in January 1969. We also took a bus tour around the city, where we saw and took pictures of Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and other cool spots. We rode the observation wheel The London Eye, and took a tour of the Tower of London, where we saw the crown jewels of all the past British monarchs.
From London, we hooked up with our tour group and traveled to Dover (the White Cliffs of Dover were really pretty, although it was a pretty crappy day weather-wise). We took the ferry across the English Channel to Calais, France, where we met our bus driver Genarro and tour guide Sara. The next eight days on the bus took us to France, Switzerland and Italy. We spent two nights in Paris, two nights in Luzern, Switzerland, two in Venice, one in Florence and two in Rome.
Paris was a beautiful city. We went to the Eiffel Tower (the line was too long that day or else we would have gone up to the top), Notre Dame cathedral and took a tour of the city.
Switzerland was by far our favorite country. It’s the cleanest place we’ve ever been to. The lakes are crystal clear. The tap water is better than just about every spring water we’ve had. The Alps are a picture of beauty, and the people were very nice. We took a boat trip on Lake Luzern and admired the lake’s natural beauty and pristine water. We got a few of the small towns and a picturesque look at the Alps. We also ventured into the Alps and ascended Mount Titlis, where a few of our tour friends from Australia and other countries got to see snow for the first time.
From Switzerland, we ventured to Italy, where we spent two days in Venice. We were so excited to see Venice, and we were disappointed that it was such a letdown. The gondola rides were well worth it, but the city itself is pretty smelly and dirty (their sewage goes straight into the water, since the city itself is on water) but we had a good time nonetheless. Florence was a nice city, full of beautiful churches and memorable artwork and statues. A drive through the Tuscany region was breathtaking, and a stop in Pisa was cool, as we were able to take our picture in front of the Leaning Tower.
Rome was probably our favorite city, although we were amazing at how crazy the driving was in the city. There’s almost three million people in Rome, but just 350,000 parking spaces. Double parking everywhere. There were no real lanes, so it was pretty much a free for all. It was nice to be on the bus. We had a great time Friday night with the good friends we made on the trip, a couple from Australia named Shane and Wendy. We had an awesome dinner out, the food and the wine were flowing big time and we made quite an impression that night on our tour group, I’ll leave it at that.
Not feeling up to snuff Saturday, Tina urged me to tough it out, and boy am I glad she did. We visited the Vatican museum and were treated to beautiful mosaics and some of the greatest artwork I’ve ever seen. The Sistene Chapel was awe-inspiring, and we learned how talented Michelangelo really was. Also visited St. Peter’s Cathedral. Our tour guide in Rome was awesome. He was very informative, yet also kept things moving and cracked jokes to keep everyone interested. From the Vatican we ventured to some ancient Roman ruins, the best of which was the Coliseum. It’s truly hard to believe how far advanced the Romans were, building a structure that still stands, 2000 years later (and if it weren’t for church officials taking the iron from the structure hundreds of years ago, it would probably be 90 percent in tact, as half the building was lost to an earthquake in the 1500s). We also saw several old castles and other Roman ruins, such as the Forum. Great time. So much history in Europe. You see buildings there that have been up for close to 1,000 years (and in some cases more) and just can’t get help but marvel at them.
Anyway, that’s where I’ve been. I plan to write more here in the coming days, as the hot stove kicks into full gear. It will be interesting to see what the Mets do. Also have a few cd reviews coming up, including the outstanding Them Crooked Vultures album. As they say in Italy, ciao (for now).

Our European vacation did not include an appearance from Clark Griswold.

Music review: Creed, Full Circle

It’s hard to believe, but at the turn of the century, Creed was perhaps the biggest rock band in the land.
With a charismatic frontman and talented lead guitarist pumping out anthems rooted in Christianity, Creed produced tunes many people could relate to.
I have to admit, Creed has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. When they were in their heyday, Creed was one of the few rock bands which received consistent play on Top 40 radio. Back then, radio (before the days of satellite radio I might add) consisted of boy band drivel like N’Sync and Backstreet Boys, a bevy of hip hop acts, teen pop like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. It was a bad time in general for music, rock in particular. The only other rock acts getting much attention were talentless nu-metal hacks like Limp Bizkit and post-grunge whiners like Staind.
Creed’s sound never was incredibly original, and lead singer Scott Stapp was often (and accurately) portrayed as an Eddie Vedder clone. Still, a few of their songs like “My Sacrifice,” “Higher,” “What If” and the overplayed but still good “With Arms Wide Open” have stuck with me over the years.
The band parted ways acrimoniously in 2002, mainly due to Stapp’s addictions. An infamous concert where he was wasted and barely coherent caused fans to sue the band, seemingly providing the final nail in the coffin for guitarist Mark Tremonti, a longtime friend of Stapp’s.
They went their separate ways, with Stapp eventually sobering up and releasing an utterly forgettable solo album, and the other members of the band joining Tremonti and new singer Myles Kennedy for a pair of medicore Alter Bridge albums.
Last year, Tremonti and Stapp worked out their differences and decided to reform the band. They went out on tour earlier this year and recorded a new album, called “Full Circle” (get it?)
The results of the reunion are surprisingly good. It’s probably the most consistent record the band has ever put out. There isn’t a bad song on it. One song in particular “Away in Silence” is one of the best tracks they’ve ever recorded, as Stapp deals with his personal demons as it pertained to his marriage, begging his wife to stay with the line “I’m not the man I used to be, I’ve changed”. “Overcome” and “Bread of Shame” are two of the heaviest songs Creed has ever laid down, and the title track has a bluesy feel not present on their previous work. There aren’t any surefire hit singles (although with the time between albums and the obvious change in the musical landscape, a hit would be hard to come by) but I don’t skip many tracks like I did on previous releases. Overall, a strong return to form.
The Sod rating: *** 1/2
Other Creed releases:
My Own Prison (1997) ***
Human Clay (1999) *** 1/2
Weathered (2001) ***

Music review: Wolfmother, Cosmic Egg

Wolfmother is a band behind its time, which isn’t really a bad thing. The Australian rockers seem to be stuck in a time warp, where the year is always 1971. They celebrate and mimic the sounds of classic rock legends like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath with huge riffs and the ever-present wail of frontman/guitarist/songwriter Andrew Stockdale.
The band’s second full-length album Cosmic Egg is a celebration of all things rock, and while they’re not incredibly original, they’re able to rock you just the same. And with a dearth of good rock bands these days, I’ll take a band that wishes it was opening for Jimi Hendrix.
The latest effort comes three years after the release of the band’s self-titled debut, and much has happened since then. Namely, Stockdale replaced the other members of the band with a completely new group, Axl Rose-style. You can’t really tell the difference because Stockdale is the star of the show, the band’s frontman and musical leader.
The band is tight, but the main difference between this record and the previous is a more consistent set of songs from Stockdale.
While the debut contained a couple memorable tracks like “Woman” and “Dimension,” it’s not a record I’ve revisted all too often.
From the opening bass-line of “California Queen” (which is somewhat reminiscent of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Around the World), the album has very few lulls and is filled with memorable moments. “Queen” and lead single “New Moon Rising” both have the Zep meets Sabbath vibe to it, as Stockdale’s voice often sounds like a cross between Robert Plant and Ozzy Osbourne, with a dash of Jack White and John Lennon sprinkled in for good measure.
“White Feather” has an especially White Stripesish vibe, with Stockdale’s vocal phrasing often coming very close to White’s. “Sun Dial” is the only track I’d call an overt lift, as the riff sounds like Black Sabbath’s “NIB” as played by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and the chorus sounds much like “NIB” as well. It’s still a rocking track, but incredibly derivative.
Wolfmother try to stretch out on the Beatlesque ballad “In the Morning,” and Stockdale sounds like the leader of a prog rock band in the other ballad “Far Away.” Think of Yes on steroids and you have a decent estimation of that track, which is the better of the two ballads.
The title track and “Pilgrim” are a few more strong rockers, with the second track sounding like a cross between Zeppelin and Oasis.
The most original and perhaps best song is the album’s final track, “Violence of the Sun.” It clocks in around six minutes, giving the album an epic closer. It’s a slow building song, with a haunting keyboard riff kicking it off, with guitars slowly building in the mix. Stockdale gives his vocals a nice workout on this one, building into a shriek as the instruments blend together for an impressive crescendo. It’s here where you get a glimpse of a band that may one day rise above the level of deft imitator and become an actual innovator, but for now we’ll have to accept Wolfmother for what it is: a kick-ass karaoke classic rock band.

The Sod rating: *** 1/2
Other Wolfmother release:
Wolfmother (2006) ** 1/2

Music review: Weezer, Raditude

There’s no denying the talent of Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo. His gift for melody is seemingly effortless. Cuomo has always been able to craft short pop ditties with huge rock hooks, mixed with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and clever lyrics. The first three Weezer albums (particularly the first two, the eponymous Blue Album and Pinkerton) were fantastic. The fourth, Maladroit, was pretty solid, while the last two, Make Believe and the Red Album were hit-and-miss affairs.
Which brings us to the band’s latest effort, Raditude, a pretty ridiculous title which also houses a few ridiculous but ultimately catchy tunes. A quick look at the song titles lets you know you’re not in for lyrical greatness, including leadoff single, the cheesy but infectious “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To”. The band certainly isn’t taking itself seriously here, or on tracks like “I’m Your Daddy,” “The Girl Got Hot” and one of the worst tracks the band has ever recorded, “Can’t Stop Partying”, an ode to clubbing featuring a mediocre rap from Lil’ Wayne, which happens to be the best part of the song. Maybe Cuomo is playing a little joke on his fans with songs like these. Maybe he’s pandering to pop radio for a Top 40 hit, or maybe he’s running out of fresh ideas. Don’t think that’s the case, since the other far-out experiment on the album, the Indian-tinged “Love Is the Answer,” complete with lovely singing from Indian singer Amrita Sen, fares much better. But the best songs here are the ones where we get a glimpse of the old Weezer, especially the melancholy “Put Me Back Together” and album closer “I Don’t Want to Let You Go.” Here, and on the aforementioned “Love is the Answer,” you actually hear human emotions coming through in the performances, which is a welcome change from some of the juvenile sentiments spouted elsewhere. I mean, do we really need to hear guys approaching their 40s singing about hanging out “In the Mall?”.
It sounds like I’m ripping the album here, but the truth is, I enjoyed it. There are hooks everywhere, even on some of the slighter material and the second half of the record, beginning with “Put Me Back Together” comes pretty close to classic Weezer. All told, it’s the best album the band has made since Maladroit. But as time goes on, it seems evident we’ll never get another Pinkerton….

The Sod rating: *** 1/2
“Raditude” track listing: 1. (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To; 2. I’m Your Daddy; 3. The Girl Got Hot; 4. Can’t Stop Partying; 5. Put Me Back Together; 6. Trippin’ Down the Freeway; 7. Love is the Answer; 8. Let It All Hang Out; 9. In the Mall; 10. I Don’t Want to Let You Go.

Another small criticism and note: There’s a deluxe version of Raditude available, selling for $13.99. It’s got four extra songs, a few of which are said to be quite good. I paid for the regular version of the album, on sale for $9.99 at Best Buy. My gripe is, the album, like all Weezer albums, is done in a flash, slightly over 30 minutes in length. They easily could have squeezed four more songs onto the album. The live Nirvana album I reviewed earlier this week ran nearly 80 minutes and 24 songs long, selling for the same $9.99 I bought Raditude for. Seems like a money grab to me.

Other Weezer albums
Weezer (The Blue Album) *****
Pinkerton *****
Weezer (The Green Album) ****
Maladroit *** 1/2
Make Believe **
Weezer (The Red Album) ***

Ratings scale
***** Hall of Fame album
**** Perennial All-Star
*** Solid starter
** Benchwarmer
* Beer League softball player

Music review: Nirvana, Live at Reading

Nirvana’s most legendary live performance has finally seen the light of day with this week’s release of Live at Reading, both on DVD and CD.
I bought the CD Tuesday, temporarily delaying buying Weezer’s new disc in the process. After all, I’m a much bigger Nirvana fan than Weezer fan but that’s neither here nor there.
Nirvana already had two live albums, both released in the years immediately following Kurt Cobain’s suicide. The MTV Unplugged album came out a few months after he died and it was brilliant, showing the band was equally adept at toning things down to highlight the beauty of Cobain’s melodies as it was at completely tearing things up on stage. The second live disc, On the Muddy Banks of the Wishkaharrived a few years later, and although it was a fine live performance, it was a bit uneven as the songs were culled from several concerts spanning five years.
So now we finally get a full concert on disc, and it’s from their most bootlegged performance. Nirvana headlined the Reading Festival in England on August 30, 1992. In the days leading up to the show, rumors were swirling about the health of Cobain. There were stories of drug abuse and rumors the show wouldn’t go on.
Just as the show was ready to begin, Cobain was escorted onstage in a wheelchair, wearing a hospital gown and a long blond wig. He was helped to his feet and arrived at the microphone to utter a few lines from Bette Midler’s “The Rose” before collapsing to the ground. Bassist Krist Noveselic played along, telling the crowd “he’ll be alright, with the love of his family and friends” or something of that nature. It was all a joke, as Cobain rose to his feet and led the band into a ferocious version of “Breed” off their benchmark Nevermind, released the previous fall.
Although it was less than a year since that release, Nirvana were now full-fledged superstars, owning both sides of the Atlantic. They played 11 of the 12 songs off Nevermind, including an awesome version of “Lithium” where the crowd sings along with every word, much to the delight of the band. Drummer Dave Grohl would later call this a true highlight of the band’s career. The show offered plenty of highlights, including a killer version of “Aneurysm” off the yet-to-be released B-sides collection Incesticide, which came out that December. How “Aneurysm” was relegated to B-side status, I’ll never know, as it’s probably my favorite Nirvana tune. Other highlights include a version of “Sliver” (also off Incesticide), the tune written about Cobain’s days as a kid at his grandma’s house. Cobain laughs during the beginning of the song and then keeps shuffling his voice from one extreme to the other, almost as if he can’t decide what octave to sing it in. The best cuts from Nirvana’s debut album “Bleach” found their way on the set – “School,” “About a Girl”, “Negative Creep” and “Blew” as did a kick-ass version of “Spank Thru,” one of Cobain’s earliest tunes. Three songs from the yet-to-be released In Utero (which didn’t come out until fall of ‘93) were performed, including a raging version of “Tourette’s.” There’s also a lovely take of “All Apologies,” then still in its skeletal form. Only one verse is done (with slightly different lyrics). That verse is repeated a few times and the “all and all is all we are” ending has been written, but it’s a wonderful version and a nice sneak-peak of a brilliant songwriter testing out his unfinished masterpiece on the road. The crowd loved it and so will you. The version of “Dumb” is the best I’ve heard the song sound, as I’ve never been a huge fan of that particular song for some reason. Here, it sounds awesome and fresh, and it benefits from not having the strings that were put on it for the album version. The band played two encores, dusting off a pair of punk covers “The Money Will Roll Right In: by Fang and “D7″ by the Wipers. Since I’d never heard either original, they truly sound like lost Nirvana tunes (a studio of D7 is included on the band’s excellent 2004 box set With the Lights Out”. The show ends with “Territorial Pissings” and as the song ends, Cobain plays “The Star Spangled Banner” Hendrix style as the band destroys their instruments on stage. Great stuff.
Each time I listen to Nirvana, thoughts of what might have been always come to the surface. What would the band’s next move been after the dire “In Utero?” The unplugged performances and demos from early 1994 like “Do Re Mi” show Cobain experimenting with his softer, Beatlesque melodic side. Cobain had just scratched the surface of his songwriting genius, it’s a shame drug abuse and depression overcame him at an early age. Still, in a very short period of time, the band left an indelible mark on rock, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
“Live at Reading” rating: *****
“Live at Reading” track list: 1. Breed; 2. Drain You; 3. Aneurysm; 4. School; 5. Sliver; 6. In Bloom; 7. Come As You Are; 8. Lithium; 9. About a Girl; 10. Tourette’s; 11. Polly; 12. Lounge Act; 13. Smells Like Teen Spirit; 14. On a Plain; 15. Negative Creep; 16. Been a Son; 17. All Apologies; 18. Blew; 19. Dumb; 20. Stay Away; 21. Spank Thru; 22. The Money Will Roll Right In; 23. D-7; 24.Territorial Pissings.

Other Nirvana albums
Bleach (1989) ***
Nevermind (1991) *****
Incesticide (1992) ****
In Utero (1993) *****
Unplugged in New York (1994) *****
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (1996) ****
With the Lights Out (2004) **** 1/2