Wilco with Andrew Bird, Wexner Center, 10-16

Wilco did not disappoint last night, playing songs spanning the band's entire catalog and rocking for more than two hours. Tweedy was his laid-back, funny, captivating self, decked out in a big white suit with sparkly roses. But guitarist Nels Cline almost stole the show. His spastic, herky-jerky guitar playing was awe-inducing, an exercise in passion and precision. Wilco has three very capable guitar players, but Cline is a real virtuoso. Highlights for me were "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," "Handshake Drugs," "Airline to Heaven" and "Shot in the Arm." I hope they come back soon. A few more pics at the bottom.

Andrew Bird opened up. Bird's an odd... bird, but entertaining. He played solo and didn't quite have the loop-pedal thing down, so he had to restart a couple songs. But I liked his commentary on the mistakes, describing one screw-up as "discovering a different universe."

So I'm finally finished with everything for the next issue of The Other Paper. Phew. Reviews on Thursday will include Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Dylan/Elvis Costello, Wilco and Radiohead's In Rainbows. I'm spent.

Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello - Schottenstein Center, 10/13

Other than introducing his band Saturday night, Bob Dylan didn’t say a word to the crowd gathered at the Schottenstein Center. This isn’t rare for Dylan, and it actually makes sense. When you’re an American icon/legend/cultural revolutionary who’s now 66 years old, what’s left to say? Working on my review of the show, the same question has been tugging at my own brain. The review is necessary, of course, because Bob Dylan came to town, and one can’t ignore a concert like that. And yet, it’s also completely unnecessary because, really, what’s left to say? I won’t pretend to add anything groundbreaking to the vast amount of analytical praise that has been heaped upon Dylan over the years, but from a practical standpoint, just know this: He’s still worth seeing.

Elvis Costello was similarly captivating, filling the arena with just his voice and a guitar. His stage presence commanded attention, and though it was a short set, it was filled with some of his most well-known and loved tunes: "Alison," "Veronica," "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes," and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding." Costello doesn't carry with him quite the level of cultural importance as Dylan, but it's hard to deny the sense of history he brings to the stage. He still seems relevant to me.

Smashing Pumpkins, LC, 10-11

Billy Corgan has always been a great frontman, with or without James Iha and D'arcy. Last night's show was heavy on the Zeitgeist material with a few too many instrumental lulls, but it showed that Corgan has brought back the Pumpkins' rock-and-roll mentality. Although I was wishing for more Siamese Dream material than "Today" and "Hummer," the band put on a great show and made me realize I don't just like Smashing Pumpkins for nostalgic reasons. Review coming in The Other Paper next week.

Where God and Earthworm Jim meet

God loves the arts, and I'm glad I'm a part of a church that realizes that. It's one of the reasons we're located in the Short North Arts District, and why we have a Grace Central Arts Guild that twice a year puts on arts forums with respected speakers and musicians. (Think Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine, not Thomas Kinkade.) Plus, each forum is accompanied by a literary journal. There's no hidden agenda with the Arts Guild. Its mission is simply to:

1. Encourage artists in the church AND in the community.
2. Equip the church with an understanding of the arts.
3. Engage the community with arts-related events.

...and it just so happens the fourth annual fall arts forum is this Saturday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 pm, 237 W. 2nd Ave. The featured speaker is Doug TenNapel, author of graphic novels and creator of Earthworm Jim. He's a weird dude, and he'll be entertaining I'm sure. (Also, if you're the visual arts type, arrive early from 6-7 to have Doug review your portfolio.) Here's some more info on Doug TenNapel below. See you there.

"Doug TenNapel was dubbed by People magazine "the Dr. Seuss for Generation X" after creating cross-platform characters like Earthworm Jim for Universal and The Neverhood for Dreamworks SKG. TenNapel sold the movie option to his graphic novel Creature Tech to Fox/New Regency while his graphic novel Tommysaurus Rex was optioned by Shady Acres at Universal. His work as an artist/writer for The Simpsons comic won an Eisner Award in 2000. Doug was executive producer/creator of the animated series Catscratch on Nickelodeon and is working on a new animated series for Cartoon Network. More info on Doug TenNapel and his work can be found at www.tennapel.com."

beonlineb

There's lots of posts about this already, but just in case you haven't seen it, check out the online interactive video for Arcade Fire's Neon Bible. Very cool idea, and well done. Click around while you watch.

Also, I interviewed Arcade Fire's drummer, Jeremy Gara, for a Q&A in last Thursday's Other Paper. But I'm bummed I missed the band's Friday show here in Columbus. Next time...

The Donnas -- The Basement, 10/2

People seem to fall into two camps when it comes to the Donnas: those who love the campy hair metal, and those who think it's all a gimmick. I fall squarely in the latter group. The show was bad--really bad. The Donnas didn't even appear to buy the schtick themselves, and to top it off, singer Brett Anderson can barely carry a tune. Worst show I've seen in a while.

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Radiohead announced its new album will be available to download Oct. 10, and only from the album website. A big 'ole box set with two discs and other goodies is available for pre-order, as well. And there doesn't appear to be a label involved anywhere in the process. I guess Radiohead agrees that the music biz is changing.

All that's pretty extraordinary, but to top it off, fans will decide how much to pay for the In Rainbows download. No joke--the price is up to you. So the question is: How much would you pay for a new Radiohead album? Personally, after the band's last couple albums, I wouldn't pay a whole lot, but I sure am curious.