I caught Boris live tonight here in Chicago. Apparently they were mostly here to open for Nine Inch Nails, but yesterday was the first I'd heard of it. It was sold out but I managed to buy a ticket off someone. It's the 4th time I've seen them and they just keep getting better. Their albums are good, but really can't compare to the experience of seeing them live.

They still have a few shows left out East. If you have a chance to see them, I highly recommend it!

Dec 3, 2008 Brooklyn NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
Dec 4, 2008 Baltimore, MD Ottobar
Dec 5, 2008 Danbury, CT Heirloom Arts Theatre
Dec 6, 2008 Providence, RI Living Room

Beginning to wonder if they're ever coming back to Japan.

They are getting worse.
I recall they days when they were on the drone/noise end of the spectrum then Pink came out and it was good, but they should have totally changed their name, its not the same stuff, not even close.
When I saw them live for the first time after the Pink album it was an 'ok' show, there lots and lots of slow parts which didn't really build, just dragged on... and the 2 and 3rd time it was even more of that. If you really like the newer stuff go see em, but if you are hoping for drone/noise or them to really turn the 'rock' on... fair warning it ain't happening.

IMO, Amplifier Worship and the split with Choukoku No Niwa were the best things they ever did.

You do know they do change their name for the different releases. Boris and boris

well, if you just want them to repeat their drone/doom days, you're going to be disappointed. The quality of their recorded output has varied, but this is the fourth time I've seen them live and it was by far the best show yet. The songs from Smile in particular sounded much richer than they do on the album. Kurihara has integrated nicely into the band, and their playing on a technical level has steadily improved. They played at a slightly lower volume than usual, which brought out more detail and color in the sound. Plus this was the most emotional set I've seen them play. The audience response was amazing.

I put some pics up here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32693550@N ... 517566180/

Totally agree. "Flood" was a great album as well.

Maybe they should change their name to Bore Us.

Exactly!

Now....does anyone want to buy The Thing Which Solomon Overlooked Vol. 1, 2 and 3 from me?

harsh dude.

its unpossible to keep up with all of their releases. there are so many weird vinyl releases. that are ridiculously expensive imports. hell even at the shows they are overpriced.
i went to amoeba in sf for the first time, and they had an insane amount of stock.

i still covet my akuma no uta venom rip off shirt

Not really that harsh - they're great people and I respect the hell out of them, but there's nothing interesting happening music-wise anymore.

Releases are definitely overpriced but when you consider the lush packaging and Japanese production/packaging costs it starts to make sense. My friend is releasing an LP of a collaboration they did with Kuwahara - Atsuo said they spent something like $40,000 on the recording. That's completely insane IMO but I guess they need to recoup the costs somehow.

Sure, but tell me the Southern Lord TRIPLE LP release of the live show with Merzbow is not the shizzles!!! I heard thru the g'vine that Southern Lord practically went broke issuing the packaging on this LP set. 'Never again,' they said.

When the packaging is more interesting than the music....

definately have dropped off in the last few releases. i still regret more than anything not flying to melbourne to see them in '05 though, hopefully they will play tokyo in '08. wata is still a huge babe.

Smile!



[SMILE] World Tour Final in Japan
2008/12/14 (Sun) @ Daikanyama Unit

A measure of this band's popularity in Japan as opposed to abroad :

In America they were invited to support NIN, right?
Well, Daikanyama Unit is a pretty small venue.
This gig, which is next Sunday, was announced maybe a month ago.
I'm retarded & only found out about it yesterday.
Got my ticket OK today though - number 85 !

Lol, Welcome home guys!