Martin Sexton at Cedar Cultural Center on 11/14/02

By: David de Young
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  Have you ever heard or read a bunch of overwhelmingly positive reviews about a musician only to go see him for yourself and feel like you had nothing to say other than  to regurgitate the same old praises you already heard? Neither have I. And the day I start feeling like that is the day I quit doing this.   That being said, seeing Martin Sexton perform live is as amazing as everyone says...

The Frames at 400 Bar on 10/2/02

By: David de Young
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Glen Hansard of Dublin's The Frames writes and sings ethereal, utterly beautiful songs that at times border on other-worldly. The Frames current release For the Birds hints at this but only approaches the magnificence effect of hearing these songs live. Going to see the Frames Thursday night in Minneapolis I got more than I bargained for. I don't believe I've ever seen a more intimate and mesmerizing set at the 400 Bar. My interest in The Frames had ...

The Shins at 400 Bar on 8/1/02

By: David de Young
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I had been looking forward to seeing Albuquerque, New Mexico's, The Shins - who played a 19 song set to a jam-packed 400 Bar on Thursday night -  for most of 2002. After a tip from a friend in the spring, I  downloaded all of 2001's Sub Pop debut Oh, Inverted World, which at that time was all still available on our dearly departed Audiogalaxy. Plus I got a bunch of other stuff , including songs by earlier incarnat...

Elbow at First Avenue on 4/15/02

By: David de Young
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It was hotter than Hell on the 15th of April in Minneapolis. Strange as it may seem, 91 is not normal for Minnesota this time of year. This fact was not lost on Guy Garvey, lead singer of the onetime Bury, England, now Manchester band Elbow, who wryly commented on the heat, suggesting it wasn’t mere coincidence. It’s possible he was right.  Immediately upon launching into their set Elbow did much to help heat up an already packed First Avenue on Monday...