Listen and Learn: Pelican

• They probably could pull it off but then I'd be paying to see Thrice which would be a waste of money. Plus, I think I'm getting soured on Palladium. Last few shows I've seen there have been devoid of energy. Mono at Granada a few months back with High on Fire and EITS at Granada were really great instrumental affairs. Certainly wouldn't mind seeing Pelican there.

• Chris, I agree Red Sparowes are fantastic as well. I actually caught them a handful of years back on the same bill as Pelican. FANTASTIC. Admittedly, having Pelican as the opening band at the Palladium is rather disappointing, because hearing them in a more intimate venue definitely has a stronger sonic impact. That said, though, I think they can pull off the big room.

• I'm all for instrumentals. They are part of the Post-Bands, back-to-basics, music revolution. But both Pelican and the other group showcased, Panderers share the same two main problems. 1. Both are bands doing what has been done over and over for 40+ years. 2. Both are writing their own material and it sounds like it. IF either band had a great song they would have a hit and a career - lots of musicians have built an entire career on just one good song. When musicians began writing all their own music, music began to go down hill - and its been going south ever since. We don't ask musicians to build their own amps, why expect them to write their own songs? Someone somewhere told these guys that it would make them more money if they wrote their own songs, as if they had a choice to have the talent to compose! Yes you will get publishing money. But a BAD song doesn't get you any money and it can hurt or stop your career. A good song can build a career and you can add your best original composition to a corner of an album later on. As a songwriter of 45 years I know it's tough to write good music. I encourage musicians to leave it to professionals. And record professional songs. EVERYONE should write their own music. It's fun and rewarding. But when it comes to playing or recording for the public, just about EVERYONE should let professional songwriters write their songs. Name the ten best SONGS from D/FW that are so good they are copied by many many other musicians, and you are pretty much at a loss. Well how about five? How about one? Long live the revolution in the arts.

• Yeah, Fire in our Throats is definitely their best. Good disc. I will say that for that style of music I think Red Sparowes one ups them just a bit. Too bad Pelican isn't headlining a smaller venue themselves. I'd be more interested in going.

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