2005 Music in Review

This is what you do with disposable income and no long-term ambition...

April 27: Sarah McLachlan, Tingley Coliseum

-Sarah visited Albuquerque in continuing support of her Afterglow CD, which has two songs that gave me goosebumps live, Push and Dirty Little Secret. She gave a beautiful performance, despite an obvious bout with a head cold. Sarah's lead guitar player was staring at Caiona, so the evening had an odd subplot, as well.

July 16 & 17: Dave Matthews Band, Sound Advice Amphitheatre

-After you have seen a band 26 times, you fail to believe that they can surprise you anymore. However, my first experience hearing Louisiana Bayou, from their latest CD Stand Up, was a delight. That will be a showstopper for the next decade. Oh, and I heard #34 live for the first time during Saturday's set.

August 31: Dave Matthews Band, Journal Pavilion

-Show #29, and perhaps my last time seeing the boys live until at least 2007. Despite a setlist that catered to the casual fan, this was one of my 5 favorite DMB performances. Don't Drink the Water was more stellar than usual, and I am a sucker for having Ants close the main set with Billies sending us home happy in the encore. Add an interesting cover of the Beatles' Blackbird, and you have one kickass evening.

October 4: Green Day, Journal Pavilion

-American Idiot has been in regular rotation on my CD player, home computer, and iPod all year, but the live Green Day experience is unlike anything I expected. This was just a loud, in your face rock concert, with all the guitar riffs and pyro you can handle. Along with Pearl Jam in 2003, one of my most cherished concert memories. Despite the fact that Caiona & I almost got run over three or four times in the pit, Billie Joe and the band brought the goods all night long.