Just for anyone's reference...



Over The Rhine
12/2/06 - Double Door, Chicago, IL

Fever
Born
White Horse
Darlin' (Christmas Is Coming)
I Don't Wanna Waste
Nothing Is Innocent
The Trumpet Child
Who Am I Kidding
All I Ever Get For Christmas Is Blue
Little Town
Goodbye Charles
Snowed In With You
North Pole Man
Snow Angel
Trouble
Orphan Girl

encore 1:
Baby It's Cold Outside
Jack's Valentine

encore 2:
If A Song Could Be President
All I Need Is Everything

Yeah, so...the show last night.

First, the good. Mickey, the new drummer, is awesome. Not only does he have the chops, but he's very animated onstage and is visually a really nice contrast to OTR's usual sidemen who generally just stand in their spots and do their jobs. From a technical standpoint, easily the best drummer they've had since Brian. Their new bass player (who's name I forget, forgive me) is solid, although not as mesmerizing an upright player as Byron (but then again, who is?).

The new version of "Darlin'" was interesting, that song's changed a lot since I heard it 5 years ago. K&L were in a good mood, and told a few fun stories between songs. "Baby It's Cold Outside" will presumably be a highlight on the upcoming live CD, the crowd ate that up.


Now, the other side of the coin...OTR basically did an entire set of songs from two records no one's heard yet. I think it was partly my mood...my girlfriend had gotten some crappy news that she called to tell me about just before we entered the venue, and so that was kind of hanging over my head the whole show and I was, admittedly, looking for some "comfort music." (ya know, it's like comfort food, but without the calories) Not to say I minded hearing some new music, but I was really craving something familiar and comforting, since for the last 5 or 6 years, OTR has been what I've listened to when I felt like that. Not that I needed to hear "Latter Days" necessarily for the 20th time, but with the dozens of songs they have in their back catalog, it was a little much to hear a dozen new songs in a row (since no one actually had "Snow Angels" yet). I'm not sure how everyone else feels about this, I'm sure there's others who feel the exact opposite. Just had to throw in my two cents.

Also, one of the new songs sounds exactly like "Desperado," but I digress...

"Bitter...party of one...you're table is ready."

sorry you and your girlfriend got bad news before the show.

but: i got excited seeing the set list. it's nice to see an actual christmas set during a christmas tour.

and: i guess bands will have to do what they feel in their hearts and be steel against criticism. for they have been criticised for playing the same songs over and over -- now a criticism for changing it up. -- kind of damned if they do, damned if they don't.

looking forward to the taft show.

hope they keep the christmas theme going for their taft christmas show.

just my peaceful 1 cent,
zayne

Nah, I mean, the music was still good. I like when bands play new stuff live...I just think there needs to be a balance, ya know?

Yeah...I know they've been criticized for that before. But there's a lot of old tunes they hardly ever do that would make a lot of people happy. I mean, after 25+ shows, there shouldn't be any OTR songs I haven't heard live, but...there are.

I will say Orphan Girl was a nice surprise. Karin always seems like she's having fun with that song.

Of course, this is an OTR board, so I suppose I'm not supposed to say anything objective or less than worship-level statements.

I think their new stuff is good, but it's stuff that's growing on me. None of it is immediate (to me) like "Looking Forward" or "Who Will Guard The Door" were in 2004, or some of the Ohio songs back in 2001. Which is great, a lot of the best music is the stuff that grows on you, but I have a feeling their next album is something that's going to take a few listens to "get," and not the kind of stuff that blows you away on a first listen.

where is that rule? don't think i've noticed it...or most of us would have been banned long time ago.

for me it's the opposite...*nothing is innocent now* and *the trumpet child* had me at first listen. and i can't wait until i get to hear them again and again and again...

of course, i've heard some of the new stuff...at least four times now. especially those two songs...so i can definitely relate.

i was just excited to see steve, jan kendrick, and snoop duggy dug. those were my highlights! that, and the fact that i got to see two of my best friends from college. it was a good night.

"The Trumpet Child" definately got me on the first listen at CST and I am ready to hear it again.

And here's some photos to go along with that setlist!:

http://clients.beyondthewell.com/gallery/2220560

You might want to bookmark the page when you get there-- the only way to the gallery is through that link so if you wander off into our other work or websites you might get lost because there's no way to navigate back. The first photo is of us and our friends at the show. My husband and I are at the right.

Zayne, you said it best.

Also, I'm not sure if you noticed... but they're trying to sell a brand new Christmas cd... on their Christmas tour. It makes sense to play it.

And I like the new stuff, mostly. I was getting a bit tired of hearing songs from Ohio and DP.