via//chicago

Intonation Festival 2005 Wrap-Up
just got back a few short hours ago from the Intonation Festival, the little music thingie that Pitchfork has been hyping for a minute or two. before i get any more detailed, i just want to give a huge 'thank you' to everyone involved in this event. without a doubt, this was the best two days of music i've been through in, oh, ever. from cheap ticket prices to an awesome lineup to things being run pretty damn smoothly, i have to say it was quite a wonderful experience. i'll probably try and write a little more on my general thoughts in a couple of days, but while everything is fresh in my mind i wanted to run down what i thought of each band.

Day 1 - Saturday:
Head of Femur: i was in line outside the gate for most of this set, but i have to say i was a little disappointed in what i heard. the latest album, Hysterical Stars, is a lush pop nugget that i've been enjoying quite a bit as of late; but i'm thinking something was just lost in the translation to a large, outdoor venue. but it's a tough job to open a festival with such huge expectations, so props to them for a solid, if not top-notch, performance.

Pelican: this was another slight disappointment for me, but again i think this was due to the translation to an outdoor venue. i expected something a little more mammoth and head-crushing, but things seemed to run-off into the post-rock noodling territory. there were some pretty awesome moments though, i'd love to see these guys in a smaller club sometime.

The M's: local Chicago boys that i'd never been able to see before, but i was very glad to get an up close look at them during Intonation. very enjoyable set of rock and roll, they deserve just as much praise is being lavished upon The Ponys. Chicago rock is far from dead.

A.C. Newman: due to a much needed food break i wasn't able to get very close for this set, but he sounded pretty excellent from my spot in the shade with my lemonade and cheeseburger. "35 in the Shade", while not at all appropriate given the temperature in Chicago this weekend, was a standout to these ears.

Magnolia Electric Co.: this was definitely the highlight of my day, as Jason Molina and his band put on one hell of a rock show. i wasn't sure whether we were going to get the somber Molina or the rockin' out Molina, but it was much more of the latter. i was surprised at how energized his band was, as they gave the tunes from his last two albums workouts that would have done Neil Young proud.

Four Tet: i was much more impressed with Four Tet than i expected to be, as his albums have never really done much for me. i found myself a nice spot in the grass and sat back, letting the beats and clicks wash over me. i wasn't left awestruck, but it was enough to make me want to relisten to his albums.

Broken Social Scene: if this was my first and only exposure to BSS, i would have been left wondering just what all the fuss was about. it wasn't a bad set by any means, just a solid set that fell far short of awe-inspiring. a couple of the new songs they played leave me excited for the new album though, especially the Malkmus tribute(?) about the girl that dreams of a better tomorrow, dreams of Pavement (i forgot the exact title).

The Go! Team: it was obvious that this crew was a highlight for a big portion of the crowd, but all the fun and happiness on stage just seemed a little forced. Thunder, Lightning, Strike is one hell of an enjoyable album, but the live show left me feeling like i was watching Scary Spice run Out Hud through a set of funk covers. but, as i said, a lot of people there seemed to love the set so maybe i was just missing something. cute move to bring the local kids up on stage to dance though.

Prefuse 73: i wasn't up close for this one either, but it sounded pretty good from where i sat. by the end of his set i was kicking myself for not pushing closer, as the beat was making my head nod all the way across Union Park. i need to see him again.

Death From Above 1979: there had seemed to have been minor sound problems on the Holiday stage off and on all day, and i think DFA1979 really seemed to suffer for it. i think everyone was ready for these two guys to rip shit apart, but all the devil-horns in the world couldn't have kicked this up the two notches it needed. some monster riffs just seemed to bury themselves in the muffled sound, maybe it sounded more brutal right next to the stage.

Tortiose: i started out listening to it from the bleachers all the way across the park and i wasn't all that excited, but halfway through i got up and just wandered aimlessly around the grounds and just let it all wash over me. about 10 minutes later i found myself completely lost in the music, i think this is all i needed to be proven why Tortoise was headlining the night.

that wraps it up for day one, i'll be back tomorrow with coverage of the day two bands and a few more general thoughts.