10/24/07 - Spoon + Ponys at the Orange Peel

Spoon with the Ponys, Wednesday October 24, 2007.

I arrived at the Orange Peel just in time to scoot my way to the front, and after a few glances at their effects boards, the Ponys had arrived. They opened with a minute or so of feedback noise, after which they launched into the second track on Turn the Lights Out. They proceeded to play "Let's Kill Ourselves," which won much applause from the sold out Peel. I didn't recognize the next song, but then came "Double Vision" which was SO loud people around me were commenting on the exceptionally loud volume of the Orange Peel. Next was another song I didn't recognize, followed by "Glass Conversation." The band played perfectly and seemed to be in great spirits - the singer spat booze all over the other guitarist between songs. Very playful and nice to see. They also rocked out to "Another Wound," which surprised me 'cause they failed to play it at Pitchfork. They closed with one of their long album-enders on their first or new album, and it lasted at least 8 or 9 minutes. An excellent set, and overall the best Ponys experience I've had, mostly due to the Orange Peel's sweet sound. The one thing I preferred about the Taste of Randolph Festival show was that they played longer there. Their set last night was only 36 minutes! Cmon now!

Spoon was not nearly as enjoyable, perhaps since I had drunk a few tall boys before being dropped off by John, and was feelin' it for the Ponys. After my buzz wore off I felt tired and weary, as I stood alone in the crowd, mostly in anticipation of a bunch of GAGAGAGAGA shit. Spoon's set was pretty much what I expected - it was basically the same shit they always play, except with like 9 Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga songs to make it worse than usual. They played a bunch of stuff from Gimme Fiction, which was cool because that album lends itself to the live setting better than their others. From Gimme Fiction, they played "Beast and Dragon, Adored," "Two Sides of Monsieur Valentin," "Turn My Camera On," "My Mathematical Mind," "Delicate Place," and "I Summon You." Surprisingly, no "Sister Jack." From Kill the Moonlight, they played "Small Stakes," "The Way We Get By," "Stay Don't Go," and "Someone Something." I thought this was a weak selection from KTM. What about "Jonathan Fisk" or "Paper Tiger," both of which were incredible two years ago! AND, only one song from Girls Can Tell - "Everything Hits at Once." Overall a decent, but incomplete setlist. The set had a poor balance between droney/choppy. God, all the Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga was so boring, all sounded the same. The good old songs were pretty awesome, though, especially the longer, more rockin' version of "Small Stakes."

So, I'll continue to see Spoon if they roll through Chapel Hill or Asheville at the right time, but they damn well better bring a Ponys-caliber opener on each tour because they are losing their edge.