Gordon Elgart – Page 22 – Spinning Platters

Spinning Platters Picks Six: European Pop Acts You Should Go See at SXSW 2010

Alphabeat — Here's one of six bands you shouldn't miss in Austin this March.

You could go to SXSW and see lots of indie buzz bands from Brooklyn. If that’s your thing, great! As for me, I’ll be running around Austin chasing down the chance to see bands from other countries visit our shores, sometimes for the first time, sometimes for the only time. (I even have a tradition of seeing a band I’ve never heard of, from a country I’ve never been to. Give this one a shot.)

So if you go to Austin, and want to hear the best of pop music from the Old World, make sure to check out these six bands.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: European Pop Acts You Should Go See at SXSW 2010”

Week in Review: Top 5 Posts from 2/5/10 – 2/11/10

Rooney on Stage — All those people in the crowd? They visited the site this week.

This week at Spinning Platters, we reviewed a few new albums, saw a few shows, and told you what shows to see. Although this post is meant to tell you the busiest new posts of the week, I’d like to mention that we had a strange boost of traffic on an old review of a show by Rooney and Tally Hall. It got mentioned on a Rooney message board, and Rooney fans are spectacularly loyal. Welcome, fans of Rooney! I hope you’re still reading. As for our top five new posts? Continue reading “Week in Review: Top 5 Posts from 2/5/10 — 2/11/10”

Show Review: Mumford & Sons at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/11/10

Popscene is known for getting its share of buzz bands on the way up. Marcus Mumford, lead singer of Mumford & Sons, the newest such band to grace the Popscene stage, commented on this as well.

“There’s a wall of fame downstairs, and it’s a bit intimidating.”

Will Mumford & Sons follow in the footsteps of such past performers like Muse, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, The Killers, and countless others? I’m guessing yes. I’m also guessing it’s not going to be cool to like this band in a few years. I should explain. Continue reading “Show Review: Mumford & Sons at 330 Ritch (Popscene), 2/11/10”

Show Review: Dave Rawlings Machine at The Fillmore, 2/9/10

dave-rawlings-excitement

There’s an amazing thing that happens when bluegrass musicians get together. Anyone can be in the band at any time playing any song, and everyone will know the whole thing. This happens in jazz and blues, but you’re not going to see a bunch of indie bands trading licks and verses on a flawless version of “Oh Comely” without a little bit of rehearsal. So when Dave Rawlings showed up at The Fillmore with a tight five-piece combo, was there any question the night would end with twice as many musicians on stage? Continue reading “Show Review: Dave Rawlings Machine at The Fillmore, 2/9/10”

Album Review: Titus Andronicus – The Monitor

Tasked to review the new album, The Monitor, from Titus Andronicus, I find it difficult to expand upon my reaction to this album. “I’m pretty sure it’s better than their first album, but I sure do like it a lot less” is what I said. I think it works like this: if you’ve been loving The Airing of Grievances for over a year, and shouted “your life is over” along with the band when seeing them live four times in a week, you may find this album disappointing. Otherwise, I think you’re going to like it. Continue reading “Album Review: Titus Andronicus — The Monitor”

Week in Review: Top 5 Posts from 1/29/10 – 2/4/10

TempoNoTempoLIVE2 — This photo should help you understand Joel's line about a missing drum

Due to popular demand, this weekly Saturday column has returned! I can’t tell you how many people have clamored for its return because the writers have gone back to betting on the outcome. So which writer is collecting the pot? And which one is drinking from the king’s cup? Read on to see our top five most visited new posts of the last week. Continue reading “Week in Review: Top 5 Posts from 1/29/10 — 2/4/10”

Album Review: Earl Greyhound – Suspicious Package

Earl Greyhound’s previous album, Soft Targets, blasted out of the box with “S.O.S.,” a dynamic mission statement that attempted to explain, in five minutes, what Earl Greyhound was all about. While the album didn’t live up to the high standards set by this blistering track, descending into middling bluesy rock numbers by the end, the promise of that one song alone has kept me interested in the band, and earned them all sorts of lauds as the “next big thing.” Now, the band’s new album, Suspicious Package, has arrived, and it also starts with I assumed to be a clear mission statement. What’s the mission this time? Continue reading “Album Review: Earl Greyhound — Suspicious Package”

Show Review: Do Make Say Think with themselves at Great American Music Hall, 2/2/10

Do Make Say Think are one of the leaders of the instrumental rock genre, and have been for some time. Along with Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai and Godspeed! You Black Emperor, they’ve fought hard against the tyranny of lyrics to play dramatic and emotional music that’s all about the music. They’re the electric guitar era’s answer to classical music. And on Tuesday night, they brought their nine-piece ensemble to Great American Music Hall, which is a perfect venue for them. Continue reading “Show Review: Do Make Say Think with themselves at Great American Music Hall, 2/2/10”

New Release Round Up 2/2/10 – 31 Instant Album Reviews

800px-Wise_Guys_-_Relativ_im_Tanzbrunnen_2009 — Read on to find out who these guys are.

Pouria said he wanted to take the week off because he’s burned out on new releases. And then he sits next to me and tells me about all the albums I’m missing. I think he’s actually burned out on being funny. Lucky for you, I’m not burned out on being funny; I’ve hardly begun being funny! Read on, dear readers, for 31 album reviews await. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 2/2/10 — 31 Instant Album Reviews”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 1/27/10-2/2/10

Tonight at Bimbo's. Babies not included.

This weekend finally sees the first music festival of the season, the young but promising Winter Music Festival, popping up at venues all over town. Check out at least one of those shows this week so that SF Indie and Talking House Records feel your love. Plus, you’ll be supporting local music more than once a year, and that should make you feel warm all over. As to which shows to see? Read on, music lovers! Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 1/27/10-2/2/10”