Lots of buzzing around the lineup of All Tomorrow’s Parties in New York. Me? I think it stinks. The nineties are over. So it goes.

The majority of those bands are WAY past their prime. I learned when I saw the Pixies a few years back that reunions are mostly a waste of time and money. Either you saw the magic back in the day or you didn’t—there’s no comparison in recreation. I mean, I’m pissed that I my parents were children when Bob Dylan was killing it, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to see him now. I prefer the magical picture painted in my head to the ugly reality of today’s situation. That’s fine. I’ll deal with that.

There comes a time when a band crosses a certain threshold and they become a charicature of themselves—that’s what it felt like the Pixies were doing. They hated each other for God’s sake. I have a sneaking suspicion My Bloody Valentine fits in this boat somehow. (Granted this doesn’t happen to all bands, and to the effect, I’d totally go see Neil Young today.)

As far as live music goes, I’d rather watch bands performing new material they’re excited about. I remember seeing Sonic Youth at the Crystal Ballroom a few years ago. The crowd went wild for songs from Daydream Nation, but the band seemed much happier playing their newer material—and those new songs popped with life, not yet sapped by 10,000 performances. Unmoored. Immediacy. Yes. And by sticking together, or more importantly, steadily writing new music, Sonic Youth avoid the trappings of a shlocky reunion tour ala Pixies and perhaps MBV.

Now, back to ATP. A number of the big names are playing classic albums straight through and this give me a shiver. I like the spontaneity of a concert set. I like not knowing what’s next, and I like a band’s ability to adapt the set to the feeling of the moment. Some songs are great bookends for albums, but live, they could sink. I’d bet dollars to dimes that when Built to Spill originally toured on Perfect From Now On those songs rose higher then than the will now. It sucks, but that’s the way it is.

That’s how I feel, anyway. I’d like to know what the ATP lineup ilicits from you.