My third Church show and easily my favorite. Steve is so full of energy these days that they could blow away any band on any night for sheer musicianship and intensity. Tonight was no exception.

Won't bore with setlists either, but since Buffalo got their namesake song I couldn't help but wish NY would get Metropolis! Ok, maybe it's a stretch but what other city could be compared to the majesty of that song?

Marty ran about before the show with Tiare checking on the merch table unobstructed by fans who might not have recognized him with the beard if they don't check in here regularly

Brought my buddy who is a recent convert with another buddy and he is now part of the congregation! We were rigth down front on Marty's side loving every second. Marty and Peter's interchange of texture and sonic bliss are truly unparalleled in rock. Marty was the rock GOD tonight, at time his hands and fingers were a total blur...and this is from about five feet away too!

Steve did something very off putting though throughout most of the show...something I did not see on the previous two tours I had seen them on...he SMILED! He is so fully of energy and contentment to be playing that I found myself smiling like a kid from the first notes of Tantalized which could have blown the roof off of Irving Plaza! He had as good a time as we did which connected with us in a huge way. Tim was the night's god of thunder as usual. We couldn't even see him as he was buried behind the drums but we knew he was there making that lovely noise!

What was most surprising was how hard every song rocked! Even the older songs sounded like they were being covered by a hard rock band! That is NOT a criticism by the way! For any band to inject that much love and energy into songs nearing 27 years old like Almost With You and You Took especially is no small feat...a true tribute to their musicianship and magic that is The Church!

God I gotta get back soon!