Single of the Week: “Rabbit” by Kills Birds

I’ll be frank with you… I’m not specifically a fan of Dave Grohl. I love Nirvana, don’t get me wrong, but I find the Foo Fighters to be, well, boring. So I found it hard to force myself to listen to Kills Birds, a little band from LA that Grohl has been championing, down to inviting them to record in his personal recording studio. So, I bit my tongue and put on “Rabbit,” expecting to hate it. Instead, I fell in love! This song is so heavy and claustrophobic and intense and it’s just plain fucking great. And, yes, the f-word is necessary. Do you love Savages and X-Ray Spex? Do you not know what I’m talking about there, but love loud? This is a track for you!

“Rabbit” can be enjoyed in all of the usual places. And, if you want more, their sophomore album Married is due out on November 12th and can be preordered/presaved now so you don’t forget in November. Especially since this is likely to be your first Thanksgiving with family this decade, and something loud will be nice to escape into after that tension. Looking for more catharsis? Make sure you get vaccinated so you can enjoy their fall tour with Sleigh Bells! 

Film Review: Zootopia

So good it might as well feature humans, but then it wouldn’t be as good.

The DMV scene that has everybody laughing hysterically!
The DMV scene that has everybody laughing hysterically!

Zootopia has all the makings of a classic Pixar film. Everything except the emotional heft. But seriously, it has absolutely everything else going for it — it’s inventive, beautifully animated, smart, funny, and well-rounded. Just because it doesn’t make you cry shouldn’t be any reason to think less of this Disney entry, though it’ll inevitably be compared to recent Pixar films (I’ve already been asked if it’s as good as Inside Out, which it isn’t, but it’s more re-watchable). Two of Zootopia‘s directors are Byron Howard (Bolt, Tangled) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), so you know that the sense of humor will be quick-witted and charming, and the characters quirky and varied. But more significantly than that, Zootopia sustains a maximum sense of fun while simultaneously tackling social issues with more finesse than most films.

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Spinning Platters Podcast Episode 19 – We Are the Wolves in the Throne Room

This podcast is Number One

Episode 19 of the Spinning Platters podcast is a two-part affair where Gordon, Dakin and D.P. welcome Gabe and Amy from Sonic Living into the Studio on New Montgomery for our official SXSW preview episode. We discuss how we each approach seeing as many of the nearly 2000 bands playing as we can (including some insiders’ tips), and go off into assorted topics like the genius of R. Kelly, what it’s like working at Pixar, and more. You can subscribe by pushing the giant button to your left, or you can listen within. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Podcast Episode 19 — We Are the Wolves in the Throne Room”

New Release Round Up 3/2/10 – 39 Instant Album Reviews

Connect these dots and you get my album pick of the week.

Pouria is taking a week off with the Noise Pop flu. I think he went out one too many nights, so I’m covering for him again. My personal favorites this week are things with exclamation points, so look for those within. Also, a southern rock concept album starring Stephen King. Really. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 3/2/10 — 39 Instant Album Reviews”