Thursday night: Battle Angel. The proper name of this anime is Gunnm and was developed from a manga of the same name, which Viz translated into English as "Battle Angel Alita," but in Japanese Alita's name is actually Gally. Confused? Don't worry, just sit back and watch Gally kick ass. I was already addicted to the manga when I first saw this animated version of the story of the mysterious cyborg girl ten years ago, and I remembered the fight scenes better than I remembered the actual story. Only two episodes of the anime were ever produced, so if you like what you see here I highly recommend Yukito Kishiro's manga. In fact, I do believe Viz is printing a long-awaited continuation of the series at this very moment.

Saturday night: Wilco. I don't think I had pegged Wilco as the types to start their set with a recording of Gene Wilder singing "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka before they strode onstage all rockstar-like. And yet, they did. Mercifully that was only bit of pretension they exhibited at the Warfield Saturday night, and as soon as Jeff Tweedy's voice filled the hall I had forgiven him my cringes. He had me in tears by the second song, and then when the band slid right into "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" I was the happiest creature alive. I was wondering how the straightforward music from Being There (for example) would merge with their newer and more experimental material, but it all fit together just fine. The second encore was a real treat, including not only a total Wilco rockout but also the amazingly beautiful "California Stars," a tune Tweedy and former bandmate Jay Bennett wrote to fit lyrics by Woody Guthrie. Two days later and I'm praying that song never leaves my head. As I was walking along Market after the show I heard a girl trying to explain to her boyfriend how, even though he's kinda funny looking, when Jeff Tweedy is onstage he's really fucking hot. I mused to myself that, indeed, this is the nature of talent as I whistled "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" all the way back to my car. I put my key in the lock and heard someone across the parking lot from me start whistling the song where I had left off.

I am an American aquarium drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I let go of you?

Let's forget about the tongue-tied lightning
Let's undress just like cross-eyed strangers
This is not a joke, so please stop smiling
What was I thinking when I said it didn't hurt?

I want to glide through those brown eyes dreaming
Take it from the inside, baby hold on tight
You were so right when you said that I've been drinking
What was I thinking when I said good night?

I want to hold you in the Bible-black predawn
You're quite a quiet domino, bury me now
Take off your Band-Aid because I don't believe in touchdowns
What was I thinking when I said hello?

I'd always thought that if I held you tightly
You'd always love me like you did back then
Then I fell asleep and the city kept blinking
What was I thinking when I let you back in?

I am trying to break your heart
I am trying to break your heart
But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy
I am trying to break your heart

Disposable Dixie-cup drinking
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I let go of you?

loves you
I'm the man who loves you

Read My Lips
Battle Angel Alita
Wilco