August 15, 2007
ACL Band Clash, Round 2: The Killers Vs. Björk
Every fall, Austin looks forward to ACL Fest, and each year, there's always a point where two of your favorite bands are playing on different sides of the park at the exact same time. ACL Band Clash is a weekly series in which Austinist scribes Paige Maguire and Tom Thornton examine the worst ACL scheduling clashes, and try to provide good advice on finding a resolution. Well, good advice might be a stretch, but advice, anyhow. This week, Las Vegas squares off with Reykjavik as the pop-rock stylings of The Killers meet the art princess known simply as Björk.
Tom: The Killers certainly know how to write a single. Despite (or maybe because of) the Springsteen worship, I really enjoyed "Read My Mind" earlier this year, and "When You Were Young" isn't bad, either. But I went to see them a few years back at Irving Plaza in NYC, and they were truly a comedy of errors. First of all, Brandon Flowers was wearing makeup and looked jowly in that 'Eddie Izzard in drag' manner, and they essentially stared at the floor while standing stock still as they ran through the Hot Fuss album. My friend Scott tapped me about six songs in and said "erm, are you totally bored with this, too?" And we both liked their record! We ending up leaving early, so when The Killers played The Erwin Center earlier this year, I wasn't even tempted. My wife wanted to see them, too, until she saw a YouTube video of their total lack of stage presence. So I'm going with Bjorkers here in a landslide.
Paige: I have to agree with you. While I have a soft spot for "Mr. Brightside" (don't ask, because I'm not telling), I can't think of much I'd like to see less than a narcissistic Killers set. I probably would have given them a chance over Bjork if this show happened post-Hot Fuss, though. Given the direction they've gone in since then, I simply can't force myself to give a shit. To their credit, they'll always have a pretty solid debut album under their belts. Their recent turn to what (I assume) they think are classic American favorites (dressed up in Las Vegas drag) isn't appealing to me. I'd like to see them play their grittier songs in some dive bar, not at a festival. So, Bjork it is: not because I'm a huge fan (well, not since Post), but because the performance is going to be first rate. I have to believe that part of the festival's appeal is that it gives us the chance to be moved by some things that we might not normally sign up for, so given the fact that I'd never ever buy Bjork tickets, I'm looking forward to the luxury of feeling a little high as she launches into "Army of Me".
Tom: There's also the issue of toughness here. The Killers pick fights with bands like The Bravery, who I think either of our kids could probably beat up. Bjork, on the other hand, punches paparazzi in the face when they annoy her at the airport. So...one-nil to Bjork. I also like Bjork's artwork better. On the Killers' new album, they're all beardy and hanging out in a Vegas trailer park. On Bjork's album, she's either wearing a huge Christmas ornament with huge ogre feet, or she's wearing war paint and has flames coming off of her! I know the fire is Photoshopped, but I give Bjork credit for thinking "hey, I'd look really cool with war paint on and ON FIRE for this photo shoot." I'm also worried about The Killers taking their Springsteen fixation a little too far and either (a) hiring a sax player or (b) bringing Courtney Cox onstage for an 'impromptu' dance with Brandon Flowers. That brings me to my last point: last names. The guy from The Killers is named "Flowers." Flowers do not a killer make. On the other hand, Bjork doesn't even bother to use her last name, which is (wait for it)... Guðmundsdóttir! That name could win the World's Strongest Man contest simply through sheer intimidation, in spite of the fact that she's likely only 5 feet tall and weighs 105 pounds soaking wet. Anyhow, even the intangibles all favor an Icelandic evening.
Paige: Intangibles are important! One last thing: it's undeniable that The Killers have always had a penchant for theatrics, whether in the form of biopic lyrics reflecting a rough love life in Sin City or similarly played character-driven pieces revolving around a misunderstood rock'n'roller plagued by small-town blues. Theatrics aren't a bad thing, though. One of the best shows I saw at SXSW was Mew at Stubb's, and they're nothing if not theatrical. In this case, however, my vote goes to Icelandic eccentricities over Springsteen hangovers.
Both The Killers (at 8:15pm) and Björk (at 8:30pm) play the Austin City Limits Festival on Friday, September 14th.
[The Killers MySpace]
[Björk MySpace]
[ACL Tickets - Friday]
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Clash? I'm not a big fan of either, but The Killers are not even a decent band. I can't see how there would be a conflict between tham and any other band who would be playing at the same time.
I saw Bjork earlier this year (Austinite stranded in NYC) and her show is out of your mind great. Like so good that I considered buying an ACL ticket and flying home for an expensive weekend good. This isn't even close, go the Bjork show. And Army of Me is the best song in the set that I saw-the lasers all went off for that one-literally.
See? You learned from last week's debacle and this week's column is actually entertaining! (Though I still have no clue what Bjork's music sounds like at this point and I'm pretty sure that while the Killers play music of some sort, Bjork just bursts into flames and dresses funny?)
And, since you didn't mention it: The Killers were boring as shit last time they played ACL Fest. It might have been the early afternoon time in the 110 degree sunshine, but it sucked in all regards.
Do you read the column to find out what music sounds like? Or maybe should you just go and listen to the music?
So, are all your Clashes going to boil down to
"here are two great and popular bands playing at the same time. Which should you see?
Austinist #1: Band #1 sucks. go see Band #2
Austinist #2: Band #1 sucks. go see Band #2"
Why did you even bother writing this? If you're going to be so one-sided on all of them, how are they even clashes? It seems like a perfect lineup. All of your favorite bands are playing against nobodies.
Z- Oh, I don't know, but when my friends and I debate going to see Band A vs Band B, what the band sounds like might come up.
Like last night, when we were discussing Times New Viking vs Jason Isobell the debate really wasn't over who would spaz out more or which bar had cheaper beer, it was "Are you in the mood for southern country rock or noisy punk?" and so on.
So yeah, if the discussion is supposed to be about the time clash between two bands and how you can only pick one to go see: maybe discussing what the music sounds like could help, especially since everyone has heard the goddamned Killers, but a lot fewer people have heard Bjork's last few albums.
Here we go again. I thought we all made it clear last time that we don't care about what shows the almighty music editor and her little friend are going to watch.
You shouldn't dismiss the Killers so quickly just because of how mainstream they are, or how nervous they were at a concert early in their career. That's just not fair. They actually know how to pull off one hell of a performance and have improved tremendously since their earlier days. Look up a recent show on Youtube if you don't believe me. Bjork is great too, but don't underestimate the Killers...
Not dismiss the Killers? Please, they are nothing but mainstream and they play music no better than most average hometown bands. I've seen them a couple of times and their shows were unenthusiastic and boring.
Nice writing Tom and Paige! When you wrote "Guðmundsdóttir! That name could win the World's Strongest Man contest simply through sheer intimidation, in spite of the fact that she's likely only 5 feet tall and weighs 105 pounds soaking wet." you have no idea of how right on target you are. My mother, Beata Christina Peterson, born 3 blocks north of 5 Points, was 5'4" and 120 lbs when she and the other nurses of the 20th General Hospital were made Auxillary Officers of the 2nd Gurkha Rifles in WWII because the Gurkhas were blown away by the nurses fearlessness and bravery in defending their patients agaist any threat, including Spitting Cobras and Kraits. When the British officer wrote his first report to New Dehli he began "If the Nips do attack I am not sure who we shall be defending from whom."
Always put your money on the Scandinavian. While we have been civilized for many centuries, a thousand years ago the ancestors of most readers prayed "Gutt suave oos frum der Deuvil und der Nortmann" or other linguistic variants, with exception made for those whose have no DNA from North African, Middle Eastern or European Gene Pools.
And thank you HeyZuez for getting to the point, and at least using your nom de plume!
#6:"everyone has heard the goddamned Killers, but a lot fewer people have heard Bjork's last few albums."
yeah, nobody's still listening to bjork, which is why she is headlining coachella, acl, and madison square garden this year. and her new song was produced by the ultra-obscure indie producer timbaland. ok then.
#11- Reading comprehension must not be your forte. I never said nobody is listening to Bjork. I said that a lot less people have heard Bjork's last few albums.
Were Bjork's last 3 or 4 singles in heavy rotation on 101x, KLBJ, and every other mainstream rock station in America? No.
It's not an insult to the almighty Bjork to say that a lot of people have heard OF her, but have not HEARD her. It's reality.
And, since this entry today discussed (a few times) what the Killers sound like but did not mention what Bjork's current music sounds like, it's not a stretch to wonder what the hell Bjork's music (in the context of her newest albums, the recent setlists, etc) sounds like.
Sorry for pissing in your cup.
I like it! This column I mean. But we all know it's really about. The White Stripes vs. Arcade Fire. For this Clash, Bjork for sure. The Killers make me yawn.
For me it comes down to Wilco vs MMJ. MMJ is going to win easily, but I want to see Wilco again for some sick reason.
I don't have a dog in that fight.
sharkweek!
No, no! You're all supposed to want to go see the Killers - so there's more Björk FOR ME!!!
At least stand in the back, ya non-fans!! ;p
-tona
whatever just look at bjork live her music is too fucking weird.. all of u ppl just want to go anti mainstream go right ahead.. i'm going to watch the killers b/c they put on a good show and their music sounds good