Listening to Laetitia Sadler's (Stereolab) side project Monade right now. It's got the same mod-ish avant pop sound as Stereolab, but is more song- instead of jam-based. Not much music out there that can be both soothing and utterly whacked-out/surreal. Great stuff.

As I listen, I'm reminded of a random night at the Fillmore when Sarah, Matt and I went to see Stereolab. All of us were in various states of intoxication, and Matt went on a long, rambling discourse about some idea he had for a sitcom. Sarah and I still aren't sure to this date whether his idea sucked or his explanation was circuitous due to lack of sobriety. We're willing to give him another chance, if he remembers what he was talking about.

I know it's cliche, but the Fillmore has to be one of the best venues I've ever experienced. Great vibes, great sound, great food. Never too stuffy and the patrons were never too pushy. Pit that against Chicago's drunken, disobedient crowds(sometimes friendly, sometimes not, always raucous) packed past the fire code into clubs where the sound was at best pocket-y, or New York's across-the-board undeserved attitude. No contest.