Semisonic + River Rocks
Posted on September 20th, 2008 – 10:19 PMBy Chris Riemenschneider
The first time is usually the best in reunionland, but tonight’s set by Semisonic (their second in town since 2003) was special, too. The setting, for starters, exemplified what was partly so great about the River Rocks Festival on the whole: the picturesque and comfy Harriet Island instead of the parking lot where the band played for the Aquatennial two summers ago. It also meant something that all three members have gone off and done well with other ventures in recent years (Dan Wilson with his “Free Time” record and Dixie Chicks success, John Munson with the New Standards and Jacob Slichter with his well-reviewed book, “So You Wanna Be a Rock N Roll Star”). Most important, the band — augmented with extra percussion and keyboards by Ken Chastain — sounded like it never quit. Here’s what they played.
FNT / Sculpture Garden / Chemistry / In Another Life / Secret Smile / Never You Mind / DND / Across the Great Divide / Made to Last / Delicious / Singing in My Sleep / Closing Time
The Roots‘ set was a lot of fun, too. With a sousophone player now in tow, the Philly hip-hop vets came off like a party band more than ever before. Their fiesty run through “The Next Movement” and “The Seed” at the end was a strong finish, but I especially dug “Criminal”… a little social commentary with the party never hurts.
Mike Doughty was pretty hilarious and charming before Semisonic, joking about his indecision about wearing sunglasses or not (which his pal Dan Wilson later made fun of). But Doughty’s stripped-down arrangements of “27 Jennifers,” “Circles,” Busting Up a Starbucks,” etc., with just a cellist didn’t really suit the fest crowd/vibe.
As you’ll see in my full review of the fest (www.startribune.com/music), I was quite smitten with River Rocks and a bit dismayed by the just mediocre turnout. If you made it, what’d you think? If you didn’t make it, any noteworthy reason why?
5 Responses to "Semisonic + River Rocks"
We don’t want to go to Harriet Island. It’s that simple. Why can’t the Twin Cities have a decent, accessible outdoor venue?
Live as the headliner was a head-scratcher. Maybe an artist a bit more recent and more of a draw would have helped.
A shoulder shrug following good sets from The Roots, Doughty, and a great set from Semisonic.
I really enjoyed The Roots, and was pleasantly surprised with how well they pulled off their hip hop sound as a full band (ie: no noticeable overdubs). ?uestlove is a mighty fine drummer, and all of the horns were a nice treat.
Mike Doughty, on the other hand, was downright subpar in my opinion. Having seen Soul Coughing and solo-Doughty a handful of times over the years, I’m aware of the fact that Mike can get a little chatty and weird. However, on Saturday he came off as much more conceited and full of himself (for the first half of the show — the only portion I witnessed) than I had ever thought or noticed before. He spent more time talking before, during and after the songs than actually playing music. The problem wasn’t the talking, but the senselss rambling about sunglasses and flubbed lyrics that never seemed to have a real point. Maybe he was drunk or high or on meds, but this was probably the worst Doughty performance I can remember. He didn’t seem to care about entertaining the audience, only himself.
Mike Doughty was terrible. I don’t understand how screwing up mulitple songs can be considered hilarious, but I agree - why he was on after the Roots is beyond me.
The Roots and Semisonic tore it up. They were worth the admission alone.
Dan Wilson’s album is titled “Free Life.”
To worker bee- Stay on your side of the river- Harriet is a great outdoor venue. It’s great to stand on grass vs. pavement, and the lack of hipster vibe-priceless.
I agree with above comments-Doughty sucked eggs. He seemed drunk, and overly pleased with his vocabulary. The Roots were great, as everyone else, but missed Live.
