I saw two concerts tonight. Jealous?

Concert #1: University Men's/Women's Chorus, 7:30 PM, Ted Mann Concert Hall

My roommate is in the Men's Chorus, and since I wasn't doing anything else tonight (I know, I'm a loser. Why do you think I have a blog?), I decided to go. It was a good decision. This was the best choral concert I've heard in a long time. (Sorry, SAHS Choirs, but somehow you just don't compare. And the CLC Steeple Singers... umm... well, it's not your fault, you're senior citizens.) (j/k, j/k, you know I <3 you all.)

I liked it best when both the choruses sang together, but each of them individually was very good as well. I thought the women's chorus, aside from being more attractive, had a better selection of songs. Their last piece, in which they were accompanied by a harpist, was absolutely gorgeous. But the men did great, too. My favorite piece by them was an arrangement of Robert Frost's "Stopping by woods on a snowy evening", which sounds like it would be a disaster, but it was actually pretty amazing. Somehow, the piano accompaniment and the singing fit the poem perfectly. It sounded very... wintry, if that's the right word.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable concert, though it was pretty short. (Even with an intermission, the concert was probably over by 8:45 or so.) I heartily reccomend the University of Minnesota Choruses if you ever get the chance.

Concert #2: Endochine, 10:00 PM, "The Whole" (Coffman Memorial Union)

First things first: I think they should change their name. Honestly. I almost didn't want to see them, solely on account of their name, but it was free and I was bored, so I went.

Endochine is a band from Austin, TX, but you can tell they wish they were from England. (And, really, who could blame them?) Specifically, they wish they were Radiohead. They sound a lot like everyone's favorite band, circa The Bends, or at least they try. Occasionally their singer will shift into a faux British accent (see: The Killers) ; whether he is doing this intentionally or not, I don't know, but it is obvious they are hoping to pick up listeners nostalgic for the less experimental, guitar-based Radiohead of yesteryear ('95 or so). They try pretty hard, and sometimes it works. I have no idea what any of their songs were called, but I liked a couple of them.

The lyrics are what really killed it for me, though. Radiohead might not have the best lyrics either (too often, they go for poetic but it just comes out weird), but at least they are willing to spice it up a little. Endochine, it seems, is willing to settle for writing the most generic lyrics possible-- they aren't "bad," per se, but their lyricist/songwriter could afford to maybe take a few chances. Another minor annoyance was the frontman's "banter" with the audience: "This is a song about the times when things aren't going so well." "This is one of our happier tunes." "I really like Jeff Buckley." (Proceeds to cover some song that Jeff Buckley supposedly "liked to cover.") "And I like to cover it, too." That's nice. Good for you. (For the love of.... would you please just play your damn set?!)

Am I making it sound like I hate Endochine? I really don't. I did enjoy the concert, and you can't beat the price. They really do have the potential to be good. All 4 members are very competent musicians, and they have some interesting ideas musically. Both of their singers are excellent vocalists for their style of music, and they can get some nice harmonies going. Guys, cut your hair(*ahem* bassist *cough*), stop smoking weed (if you do... *ahem* Mr. Bassist, sorry to pick on you again, but it's the image, man!), and tone down your Radiohead schtick a little. Oh, and, ditch the name. If you do all that, I forsee I bright future for you in the world of music.

Well, that was my evening. Now, enough with the pleasant stuff... I need to rant. See you in a few.