a few notes about the bands you mentioned. Of the 200 shows i’ve seen over the past few years, The Fray is one of the five least favorite acts I’ve seen. they opened for Weezer a few years ago and ever since i’ve cringed every time i hear their name. i guess it’s good to know that they’re Beatle freaks, but it seems they haven’t taken the most important part out of what the Beatles did. they developed their sound dynamically with every song in an era when every piece of equipment was a prototype (or a direct descendant of its prototype). this may have made for a larger sea of possiblity in which the Beatles could create new sounds, but at the root of it almost every Beatle song sounds great on an acoustic guitar (even when your noodling Dutch neighbor is stumbling through Polythene Pam). the Fray’s music is like cat food. its target audience doesn’t put much effort into finding things they’d really love and it comes in a can (i haven’t heard anything they’ve released since 04, but since i haven’t seen their name on any of my usual music outlets, i can only assume they’re still doing the top 40 thing. i’m a music snob). i’m glad they are talented enough to put together a respectable ‘Fixing A Hole’ as it is one of my favorites.

The Magic Numbers i’ve also seen. they are definitely hit or miss. the lead singer can actually sound a lot like John at times. sometimes i’ll hear their stuff being played between acts and i think, ‘wow, this is good stuff.’ other times i run for cover.

thanks for the recount. i really enjoyed it and the rest of your posts.