You guys are insane. I thought Bangor was an excellent show, and I will comment more in detail as to why I think that in an upcoming show review. I have not heard last night, but the setlist looks decent and I'm excited about the new tunes. Are they playing the tightest, unflubbed songs ever? No, but even when they do and tack a fiery type 1 jam on it you guys consider it a "standard" rendition. Perhaps it is...but I think you also may be setting your sights a little high.

I have been as critical as anyone out there of this band in 3.0, peaking with the early Summer 2010 run and persisting through the debacles of 2011 when they played inconsistent, with the highs being some of the watershed (or should I say, Storageshed?) moments of this era.

But in time I have realized that comparing shows and stacking them up against each other from a musical standpoint is a waste and an unnecessary exercise. Every show is unique, from the setlist to the versions therein and to the audience's experiences, which obviously cannot be captured on tape. To say "Worcester was a better show than Bangor or Bethel or (fill in the blank)" is inaccurate. It may be that you prefer listening to that show, for whatever reasons. But that's where it ends.

And that is where my criticism of the band ends as well. If they are New Years '11 unrehearsed, that is one thing. But if they play an enjoyable show that is musically decent with some really fresh playing and they're happy, that's all that matters. Case in point: my codeword with friends for when I think a show is bad is "they dropped a Darien". However, I know of many people who think highly of this 2011 show, just as I think highly of Bangor. It's apples and oranges on a large scale day to day basis.

Anyway, I hope everyone in attendance enjoyed the show and for those going tonight, I'm jealous but also happy for you. Live it!