Time magazine claims, "You can't swing a dead cat this time of year without hitting a Top 10 List." Never one to waste a perfectly good dead cat, we decided to take a swing and create a Top Random-Number Shows Seattlest Saw This Year. And now, without any further ado, here's how your favorite bloggers broke down the year:
According to Dante, everything else pared in comparison to Daft Punk at WaMu Theater 7/29/07. OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously.
Charles preferred Manu Chao at Roseland Theater in Portland 5/28/07. He says, "I missed skipped Sasquatch because I knew I could finally see Manu Chao and not have to go to the Gorge. The highest energy show I've seen in years. I think my legs are still recovering." Video!
Another pick from Charles was Brent Amaker and the Rodeo a.k.a. B.A.R. at The High Dive 12/15/07. A great shtick, performed flawlessly is always gonna get my kudos. And a band that baptizes audience members by pouring shots of whiskey down their throats? Who's against that? Video!
Clint enjoyed Tenacious D, Paramount Theatre, 2/16/07. The D mixed it up with a full, plugged-in band for a night just as silly—but more rockin'—than their Pick of Destiny flick. Hell never sounded this good. See for yourself.
Coming in second on Clint's countdown was Chris Cornell, Paramount Theatre, 10/3/07. The frontman-gone-solo wisely focused more on Soundgarden/Audioslave screamers than his Carry On clumsiness. We went a little bit deaf, but damn it was worth it. Black Hole Sun.
And finally, Mudhoney, El Corazon, 11/16/07. Sounding better than ever, Mudhoney tore the old Off Ramp a new one. These guys might just be the most impressive/least prestigious holdover from the grunge era. Review. (Where were you, recorders?)
As for Jack, he called out Beastie Boys, Crocodile Cafe (RIP), 5/25/07. Motherfucking Beastie Boys! At the motherfucking Croc! Review.
Another favorite for Jack was Arcade Fire, Sasquatch Festival, The Gorge, 5/26/07. In our own words, "...a show was so moving, so charged and emotionally captivating that it's difficult to put into words just how it made you feel. This is the only way we can really tell you about the Arcade Fire show. A religious experience. The sound, the performance, the staggering energy emanating from that stage -- was enormous." Review. Video!
Third place was Pretty Girls Make Graves -- Final show, Neumos, 6/9/07
A loud, sweaty, love fest. Sexy and sad. Kinetic energy pulsating through each and every limb in the house. A farewell concert that left us emotionally and physically exhausted. Review. Video!
And his honorable mention went to Built to Spill, Showbox, 10/6/07
This was one of those truly amazing shows in which performer and song came together as one bright ball of energy. One that got brighter and brighter throughout the show until the final note rang out. Review.
Ali Marcus (local folk sensation MySpace) voted for The Hackensaw Boys at the Tractor Tavern, 8/14/07. Her two cents: "A scrappy yet impeccable band that I used to see a lot in my Charlottesville days came all the way out to Seattle and brought Virginia with them."
Seattlest Seth liked Avett Brothers at Bumbershoot, 9/1. Says he, "Any band that can tear me away from the first weekend of college football is doing something right. I wrote about this show."
Kristy Cameron (folk/country/acoustic sensation MySpace) seconds Seth's emotion regarding the Avett Brothers at Bumbershoot, 9/1. (technically they were better at Pickathon - but the Bumbershoot show was really good too).
She also dug Josh Ritter's solo acoustic tour at the Showbox 2-25-07.
Finally, Kim's number one show was Nickel Creek at McCaw Hall 5/10/07. For their final tour ever (they say "for now," but that's like saying "It's not you, it's me"), there was hardly a hint in the air indicating these three are sick of playing together. Honestly, they're three of the most extraordinary instrumental talents out there these days, and it was nice to finally catch them live for the first time in their 20-year run. Video!
Our second choice was Rodrigo Y Gabriela at the Paramount on 10/31/07. We wrote about it the next day, despite our dumb shock at how good they were live. On record, it's just nice Latin guitar. Live, though, we mean, hottt damn:
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seriously - that manu in portland show was awesome. did you see time mag?: Times Magazine Top List
rod+gab do have a different sound live, i agree!
the best show of the year (by FAR) was the Melvins on New Year's Eve at the showbox. POWERRRRFUUUL
(both Big Business and Melvins started their sets after midnight, so it's totally eligible)