Each of Saturday's shows centered around one particular album, but Craig Finn also threw in some new ones not featured on his new solo record, "Clear Heart, Full Eyes." As he humrously explained it, the one called "The Dudes From St. Paul" was inspired by local punk vets Blind Approach's song "St. Paul Hardcore," which made a kid growing up in the Western metro area at the time fearfully wonder, "Oh man, what's hardcore like in St. Paul?"
Jeff Mangum also mixed in three tunes from the first Neutral Milk Hotel album. He had also been playing "Song Against Sex" at other shows on the tour but skipped on Saturday, for whatever reason. Maybe that woman who yelled out the request to "hang out" got him out of the mood (i.e., put him in favor of sex).
Look for the full review of both concerts at www.startribune.com/music. Here are the set lists.
JEFF MANGUM
Two Headed Boy, Pt. 2 / Holland, 1945 / Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone / Engine / Little Birds / King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1 / King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 2 & 3 / Ghost (with clarinet and flugelhorn) / Naomi (with cello) / April 8th / Oh Comely / Two-Headed Boy / The Fool (cello, horn, clarinet) ENCORE: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
CRAIG FINN (* = new/unreleased songs not on "Clear Heart, Full Eyes")
Apollo Bay / Balcony / Jackson / No Future / When No One's Watching / Some Guns* / Western Pier / New Friend Jesus / Sarah, I'm Surrounded* / ?? (solo with Randy Ray Jackson on steel)* / The Dudes From St. Paul* / new song (solo)* / Honolulu Blues / Rented Room / Terrified Eyes / Not Much Left of Us ENCORE: ?? (solo)*
