I'm trying to understand the kids, you know. And the easiest way is through their music. The band a kid digs now is like a tell; a window into his future. The child who gravitates to music for its intricacies, beauty, and soul --- as opposed to being told what to like --- is gonna be a cool grown-up. The child who thinks Paris Hilton can sing or P Diddy is talented... there's no hope.

The kids who packed Water Street Music Hall last Tuesday were no doubt enamored with Senses Fail. And because the band is flexing past the typical emo drone and whine, there was hope. I dug 'em too. The mondo-cool tattoo of a Sailor Jerry Indian maiden twitching on the singer's forearm might have helped seal the deal for me.

Openers Saosin and Bleeding Through brought it a little heavier in what I hope is an example of what is to come from this youth wave. Bleeding Through added some heavy to the speed. They were almost metal. Saosin sounded a little prettier, but the guitar player positively floored me when he spun the guitar around his neck ala Ywingie at least nine times before windmilling the final chord. It was a good show despite the mosh pit being borderline stupid with muscle-headed overcompensation. Donavon Frankenreiter is keeping the California hippie vibe alive like his recent producer, Jack Johnson. Frankenreiter opened for Gov't Mule on Saturday at the Harro East Ballroom, with some funky twang in a laid-back groove. The guitar threatened to break free occasionally but Frankenreiter kept it corralled nicely in the pocket.The Mule hit the stage sounding a helluva lot better then when I saw them last time. Better mix, I suppose. I only stuck around for three songs but in that time was treated to guitarist Warren Haynes' big, big tone. Haynes takes the Southern rock aesthetic (he's with the Allmans, donchaknow) and swings it like a hammer. Got to the Bug Jar in time to catch 40 Rod Lightning bring the country. Nothing this week sounded like it came from here. But then again, what does here sound like anyway?