Some people say that bowling alleys got big lanes

[vovat]

Last night, bethje and I went out bowling. We hadn't done this in some time, and it was our first time going with just the two of us. Unfortunately, I had no idea how to work the electronic scoreboard, in terms of putting in our names and such. A guy who worked there had to help me. There also seemed to be something wrong with its settings, because it kept saying we had gotten one point when we hadn't hit any pins at all. The bowling alley guy said that just happened sometimes in those particular lanes. I also accidentally erased a frame when Beth got a spare, because the lane wouldn't reset itself, and I didn't know what else to do. So I guess the moral is to always take someone who knows how to work the scoring machine when you go bowling. Other than that, though, it was fun. Afterwards, Beth played Gimme a Break in the arcade, and then we went to Denny's for an appetizer and dessert. I don't recommend Denny's carrot cake, by the way. It's not bad, but I've had MUCH better.

Today, I bought a used copy of Tori Amos' Little Earthquakes for $5. I guess I didn't really need it, since Beth owns a copy, but $5 isn't a bad price, and it was the only one of her albums I didn't have yet (aside from Y Kant Tori Read and Strange Little Girls, which don't really count as much, at least to my mind).

Comments

[onib.livejournal.com]

Little Earthquakes is still probably my favorite album of hers. I love the way it flows and I don't think there's a single song on the album that I don't like.

As far as Strange Little Girls is concerned, even if they're not her songs, she takes them all in unique and personal directions. My favorite is her rendition of I Don't Like Mondays, which has a beautiful and haunting quality that the original could never have hoped to attain.

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And um, hello. You don't know me, but I've been following along for a little while. I first noticed your journal when you posted a link to it in alt.music.tmbg. I've been a big (read, "rabid") fan since '89. While reading, I also couldn't help noticing how many interests you share with either myself or my wife, as well as your proximity (we're in Reading). Turns out we were both at the Borders in-store in Philly as well.

So, again, hello.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

My favorite Tori album is Under the Pink, which I think I also see as her most accessible. And my girlfriend has Strange Little Girls, so I can still listen to it. I just don't really feel an overwhelming need to own it.

And hello. It's always nice to find another person who's actually interested in what I have to say.

[onib.livejournal.com]

I really enjoy Under the Pink also. I've always really preferred her sound when it's just her and the piano - not so much the albums with lots of band members and techno sounds.

I was so excited to go see her show in Camden last year with Ben Folds. I loved Ben's part of the show, but then, it seemed like they hooked up some kind of distortion to Tori's mic when she performed. I barely recognized even the songs I love. I'd like to go see her again if she does another small-venue tour without all the electronic backup.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I've never seen Tori live with just the piano (except in the Roadside Café segments), but I do get the feeling I'd prefer her that way. The band is pretty good, but they seem to play every song in the same style, which doesn't always work.

[onib.livejournal.com]

Tori came through Philly a few years ago and played in one of the small venues, but by the time I heard about it, the show was sold out, and the only place to get tickets was a scalping web site which was selling them for $150 and up. A bit out of my league.

And I think that was my major complaint about the band. Every song sounded the same.

[bethje.livejournal.com]

We were at that Camden show, too.

[onib.livejournal.com]

What did you think of the show?

One of our other friends caught her show in MN and felt the same way I did, but I'm curious how other fans felt.

[bethje.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. I've seen her three times (twice in Camden and once in Holmdel). I know I felt that way at both Camden shows, but I can't remember if it was as bad in Holmdel. I don't think the Tweeter Center is that great of a venue, either way, though.

But yeah, it seems like things sound distorted or muddled, and it takes me a long time to figure out some of the songs she's playing, even if I know them well. Also, I'm not generally too thrilled over the arrangements with the band. It seems like the drums and bass are pretty much doing the same things for every song. I think I get the most out of the Roadside Cafe part.

I sound like a complainyface, but I really do love her shows.

[onib.livejournal.com]

I did love the Roadside Cafe part of the show. I wish that could have been longer.

And actually, I think it speaks more highly of you as a fan if you haven't completely loved the shows, but you keep going to see the artist.

Plus, I absolutely love the expression "complainyface!"