Punch Bros

[Sap]

I Agree landshark.   I prefer to comment on the acts I liked and let the ones I didn't just slide by (uh golden rule?). 

Sometimes you need to stand up and say the "Emperor wears no clothes"

This is not act X which we know won't be back next year, this a regular act that every year gets worse & worse; this isn't just my perception. I wouldn't have commented at all but somebody else started this thread.  Just think if I tarted the thread: "I love the smell of porta potties and wish it was all encompassing during the music". If nobody disagreed Planet Bluegrass might be left to think people really wanted that! I don't want Planet Bluegrass left with the thought that most people liked the Punch Brothers.

By the Golden Rule nobody would complain about bad leaders. I don't think that would work out so well in practice.

Come on Dawg - my reference of the golden rule was strictly in the context of music and musicians, I certainly would not make the same comment in a discussion about leaders.  Thankfully, this isn't a political discussion.   

I hear what you are saying about giving feedback to PB.   I took their RockyGrass survey - one question asked for you favorite acts.  I listed my favorites acts, Punch Bros was not on my list.  Seems like that gives the same feedback.

I understand this is a discussion thread and sure everyone can discuss their favorites and least-favorites all the live long day.  I just personally get turned off by mean-spirited comments about acts.  But maybe my Golden Rule comment isn't relevant in this case if they are indeed an annual performer and the goal is to send some very clear feedback to PB that you don't want to see this act again.   

I'm curious, since you said this is a regular act, is this the first year they've gotten such negative feedback?   

[bassguy675]

Oh man, I can't wait to see what kind of exciting comments will come because of the Chris Thile/Edgar Meyer album!!! Or even better . . . Thile's writing a Fugue!

 Listening to: Punch Brothers - Berklee College of Music Clinic 4/7/08

[John R]

And to see how people react to not liking Chris' "music", everybody who has posted negative as been smited. A punk and self indulgent reaction worthy of Chris Thile himself.

yes, it appears so.  some thile fluffer got their feathers ruffled.  

[TellurideTom]

After seeing their set in Telluride I opted to miss this set.
From the posts it appears I made a good choice.

[ruffnrocky]

Maybe Chris and Ryan Adams can do a set together at TBF next year!

 Listening to: Gram Parsons - Brass Buttons

[dawgwannabe]

I'm curious, since you said this is a regular act, is this the first year they've gotten such negative feedback?   

Chris is a regular act, although this band is "new",  he himself appears to be one of the artist that Planet Bluegrass asks back no matter what. 

Oddly I thought his set with Mike Marshall (two years ago or last year???) was good, not great, but good. I heard I lot of grumbling though. Like Redknuckles said I thought it was a phase and I was looking forward to him finding a strong voice. From comments I've heard at TBF and RG a lot of people are losing patience with his exploring.

I don't mean to be negative.  But after 4 live shows of Punch Brothers that piece of "music" has gotten under my skin. And I got one more to go, this time I will just avoid it.

[Mandojosh79]

Don't worry, 40 minutes isn't so long to wait for another Molly and Tenbrooks....

[colomando]

Sheesh... Chris has a talent that comes around maybe once a generation - or two or even three.  He's still relatively young, he's exploring, he's probing, he's processing all this stuff that's in his head.  I find "Blind Leaving the Blind" rather difficult to stomach my own self but it thrills me to know that he's out there stretching the boundaries and will continue to do so.

Remember the flack Dylan got when he went electric?  Remember how Bill Monroe looked down upon Sam and David for "playing too many notes?" Remember Mark O'Connor's series of forgettable albums when he was himself exploring in his twenties?  We're still scratching our heads on those. 

More power to you Chris.  You are brilliant.  Keep exploring.  Make mistakes.  Confound your audience.  Let us hear what's in your mind, even if none of us "get it."  The Dylans and Monroes and Grismans and Bushs of the world all followed their own muse, not their audience's muse.  I am thrilled to be in the presence of such an incredible, unfolding talent.       

[landshark]

  Well that pretty much gave me goose bumps. Thanks for that....
I wanna believe in freedom of expression,,, even if we don't get it.....

[rhipidistian]

A slight difference to note in the comparison:  Bob Dylan had 'The Gates of Eden' before he went electric; Chris Thile had 'The Smoothie Song' before he went neo-radiohead-bach. 

To each his own, I went to a bluegrass festival..I prefer at least some connection to the vine.

[landshark]

A slight difference to note in the comparison:  Bob Dylan had 'The Gates of Eden' before he went electric; Chris Thile had 'The Smoothie Song' before he went neo-radiohead-bach. 

To each his own, I went to a bluegrass festival..I prefer at least some connection to the vine.

I love that,,,, life is rich indeed  

[TheBanjomatic]

To each his own, I went to a bluegrass festival..I prefer at least some connection to the vine.

And that's fair... I believe Punch Bros fit in with the Telluride-vibe more so than Rockygrass, but Chris's Nightgrass set was straight-up bluegrass the past two years. Perhaps he should just consider switching the two and do a bluegrass set on the main-stage and the How to Grow a Band/Blind Leaving the Blind stuff for the Nightgrass?

Personally I seem to enjoy his work more the further from bluegrass he goes and I think it works for him (and me). But I've seen Chris Thile play some small bluegrass/folk duo shows with guitarist/singer Michael Daves in Manhattan and its fantastic, I think that configuration would do well at Rockygrass or T-ride.

Adam

[amarti]

Remember the flack Dylan got when he went electric?         

Unlike "Like a Rolling Stone", no one will be talking about "Leaving the Blind for the Blind" 40 years from now.

In fact, I bet you a beer at next year's festival that no one will even remember the song next year - other than some vague memories of being really uncomfortable and bored for 40 minutes.

 Listening to: Chip of a Star

[Brojoh]

There seems to be an inordinate amount of bitterness about this set for some reason.

Anyways, if you haven't actually listened to the album version of the blind leaving the blind I suggest you do before judging the work. And by listen I mean sit down with headphones and focus ONLY on the music. Its not driving music, but something you really demands your attention to truly appreciate. The textures of the parts are beautiful in my opinion. Also, don't go into it expecting to hear bluegrass.

Although, I can see why people don't feel it fits in at a "bluegrass festival". However, after 3 full days of bluegrass standards it doesn't hurt to have an hour of something different to keep things fresh. I like bluegrass music but even after 1 day of listening to bluegrass I get tired of hearing the same chord changes and G run solo's.

Also, the Punch Brothers bring in a different demographic to the festival who might not come otherwise, which means more money for planet bluegrass. Not only that, but it can lead to getting into real bluegrass. I remember people thinking the same thing about Nickel Creek for awhile. I used to not like bluegrass but I liked Nickel Creek. The more I got into it, I started playing mandolin, which lead to me liking all kinds of bluegrass. Now i've attended 4 or 5 Planet Bluegrass festivals and the Academy as a result, and have gotten really into the classic bluegrass stuff.

So I wouldn't discount the band or "never invite them back" just because they are trying to push the bounds of their instruments and do something different. Someone may come for Punch Brothers but hear something else they really like, creating a lifelong bluegrass fan.

Maybe I'm wrong I don't know. Heck, my favorite album Thile made was Deceiver, so I'm kind of backwards than what a lot of people think of his music haha.

[apollo]

I think part of issue was the spot they got.

Sat 7:15. Day of tubin', eat some dinner, get a beer, and listen to... bluegrass or at least something worthy of a Saturday night. I love Shostakovich's Preludes, but I would have been upset if that is what I got for my Sat. night entertainment. I was ready to party!

I love bluegrass; to me a change up is Sammy and Edgar, or Bearfoot. There were plenty of non-bluegrass, in fact some have complain too much. By Saturday night I was ready for the ghost of Bill Monroe. It is the time of day for dancing shoes, not the thinking cap.


 Listening to: Railraod Earth - Lonecraft Ramble