Shudder to Think
I waited almost 30 years for this and it was basically perfect. Shudder to Think sounded amazing and was clearly having a blast, including Clint Walsh and Jherek Bischoff, the energetic new additions on rhythm guitar and bass. There were a few flubs here and there since this was the band’s first show of the year, all handled with grace and good humor. A 19-song set list drawn largely from Pony Express Record, as is right and just, as well as Funeral at the Movies and Get Your Goat. A surprise pull from First Love, Last Rites (“I Want Someone Badly,” sung on the original by Jeff Buckley, and now by Nathan Larson). They also played three of the five new songs they’ve put out in the last year, which are much better than reunion records have any right to be. O.G. guitarist Chris Matthews joined them on “Red House” and “Funeral at the Movies.” A roadie came out with a band-aid for Nathan when he nicked himself on his guitar, eliciting a loud “Oh, give me a break!” from a very Philly woman in the crowd, which brought the house down. Just good vibes all around, everyone singing along, smiles up and down. I don’t have many other Shudder to Think fans in my life, and it was truly a delight to be in a room full of them, not to mention the band itself, one of my all-time favorites. I wanted to have something more eloquent to say about it all, but it was plainly and simply a magical evening, and probably the highlight of my year. Maybe I should have been in a more solemn state of mind for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, but wouldn’t that just be letting the terrorists win?
Set list
- Hit Liquor
- Gang of $
- Playback
- Shake Your Halo Down
- Lies About the Sky
- She Wears He-Harem
- Chakka
- Kissi Penny
- I Want Someone Badly
- Thirst Walk
- Love Catastrophe
- Earthquakes Come Home
- Red House (with Chris Matthews)
- Funeral at the Movies (with Chris Matthews)
- Pebbles
- Who Sent You?
- 9 Fingers on You
- So Into You
- X-French Tee Shirt (encore)
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