Las Vegas Weekly

November 14, 2008 · 9:37 AM

Sounds like 1995

By Jennifer Grafiada

Photo: via Myspace

There are some songs you sing along to not just during the few weeks that they are played on the radio and get stuck in your head, but over a decade later. These songs become the soundtrack to certain eras in your life that you replay in your mind whenever you hear them. Call it sensory memory, good marketing. Whatever.

Example: Alanis Morisette’s 1995 hit “Ironic.”

I’m on a sunny street in the summer in my swimsuit, singing as loud as I can because all my cousins are there and I feel cool that I know the words.

Or: Blues Traveler’s 1994 hit “Run Around.”

I’m waiting in line with a cup of Dip ’n’ Dots at Wet ‘n’ Wild while Blues Traveler plays on the sound system. I’m ditching school, and it’s on the radio while my Dominican soccer playing boyfriend drives us to Circus Circus or In ’n’ Out.

Of course, nostalgia is all well and good, but the chance to revive your sodden past and belt it out in darkened public is something else entirely. This weekend offers not one, but two opportunities to bring your ‘90s memories back to life with concerts at the Hard Rock by two musicians famous for their reflective lyrics, music videos (ironic timing, since TRL is going bu-bye this weekend), stage presence and unforgettable melodies. On Friday, Blues Traveler reminds us how much we love harmonica riffs and soul/folk rock pathos at the Joint. On Saturday, the doe-eyed, hippie haired Alanis will fill the room with her visceral songs and hopefully a cover or two, as well. (The music video for her hilarious take on Fergie’s “My Humps” includes Alanis head butting a sunglassed hump lover, a guy doing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and of course, Alanis crooning about her “lovely lady lumps,” all set to a mournful piano track.) Oh, the ‘90s, we miss you so.

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