American Music bad and good

I went to see Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly last night at the Brattle theater. They are part of the New England 'Rock Royalty'. I keep trying to like this as they are so loved by the locals and I see that they have points. Tanya was on first then Kristin then songs together. We stayed for three then ran. I am so sorry but I find the Brattle a HORRIBLE music venue it was cold and antiseptic. Both women have degenerated in singer songwriters of little talent. Their voices aren't wonderful, I wasn't impressed by the guitar and the songs aren't scintillating. I do try but this does NOTHING for me. And hey morons don't take kids under five to a music concert, the rest of the world should not be subjected to that, one word - babysitters.
BTW as you see despite having several of both women's albums the two merged together so we couldnt tell them apart- makes me terribly ashamed I DID love Kristin's Hips and Makers album. Also Joe McMahon was on stage with Tanya, playing double bass and keyboards, he made the show for me. We see him all the time at Great Scott and had no idea he played so well.
So at 8 we moved on and got to the Roxy as fast as we could getting there about 8:30. Word of warning due to fights, drugs and injuries (deaths?) Boston has clamped down and totally shut off the balcony removing huge number of visual vantage points.
So we got there just before The National came on stage and thanks to having our ear plugs managed to find spots just in front of the speakers.
After being annoyed and just feeling I was totally alienated from American music we moved onto the National which is a band which totally slips into my heart regardless of their American roots.
We were late, pressing in at the last moment so our photos are lousy and non-existent. But as we walked out I saw someone with a set list so I did beg the chance to take a photo, probably the only photo worth while for the whole night.
Loved them starting with Brainy and I was so ecstatic when they launched into Secret Meeting. I love this band, their lyrics are dark and brooding, their energy is vibrant, Matt is haunted and possessed on stage, Padma makes you realize that the violin can sometimes be a manic instrument that infuses your veins. I love Boxer but people who love Fake Empire but do not know Secret Meeting, Abel and Mr November make me think they are some of the scum that latched on when The National joined arcade Fire and brought decent music to their tour and sorry but I have no patience for any of you. True I only latched on when Mr all knowing Music God Steve Lamacq started playing Abel but I hope I have becoem true and listened to all their tracks being there when they played TT's.
Every track beautiful, every track inspiring- perhaps there is hope for American music and for me to love it. And Mr November even knocked 'Don't You wanna be relevant'out of my internal mp3 player for a while.

The National Middle East June 21st

Even when I am having one of the worst months ever, The National start to play and I feel exhaulted.
So many good tracks but does it say bad things about my mind set when Secret Meeting pulses through causing frustration, despair and beautiful exhaltation at the same time. 'I have a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.' Matt puts his whole self into the performance singing so much with his eyes shut in concentration, the other guys create a tapestry of sound which allows these sounds to fitrate through your whole self until you feel what the whole song is about - the awfulness, the salvation.
Other people can write about the songs sung enough to say I remember in vivid detail why the show two years ago at TTs enhanced an amazing album and made The National one of the few bands I will read a mailing list from.
I loath and hate the people jumping on the bandwagon but if it gives these guys the money and recognition they deserve it is a necessary evil.
Guys - may you have everything you deserve and Lammo yet again I remember why you have never steered me wrong with your musical direction.

American Bands I actually like

Anyone I meet knows I am completely taken with UK music, like a few international bands and have a minimal tolerance for American music.
There are a few exceptions

The National
Scissors For Lefty
The Blood Arm
Every Move A Pictures
The Eames Era
Locksley
The Spinto Band
Cold War Kids
We Are Scientists
MC Lars
Ambulance LTD
Aberdeen City
Ra Ra Riot
The Little Ones
Tapes N'Tapes
Interpol
Be your Own Pet
The Dandy Warhols
Pixies (and spinoffs)