Author: Pouria Yazdi

Show Review: Wild Beasts at The Independent, 2/11/10

I want to start this off by saying Wild Beasts were really appreciative of the sold out crowd at The Independent. They seem like really nice guys but man did I dislike that show last night.

The show started with a narration over some sort of noise that indicated an epicness was about to occur. The band had yet to take the stage and as this English narrator talked of nature and such, the band finally took the stage.

I wrote down in my notes, “I can already tell this is going to be a good show.” Continue reading “Show Review: Wild Beasts at The Independent, 2/11/10”

New Release Round Up, 1/26/10 – 26 Instant Album Reviews

Pouria mentioning Kidz Bop in his intro is a great excuse for running this classic still from their "Since U Been Gone" video

Kidz Bop is really awful and weird and I swear it was on American Idol last night. Not that I watch that or anything. Continue reading “New Release Round Up, 1/26/10 — 26 Instant Album Reviews”

Show Review: White Denim at The Independent, 1/20/10

No white jeans in sight.

What makes a live show good? Obviously the music is a huge component. It’s almost a stupid question to ask. But when you think about it, music isn’t the only component. You can go to a show where the music is revolutionary but the performance, crowd, maybe even the smell just suck. I pose this question because White Denim, is a hard performing band. As much as you may read that they don’t stick to one genre, you won’t understand until you see them live. Their music was good. What made the show awesome was how hard they performed. Continue reading “Show Review: White Denim at The Independent, 1/20/10”

New Release Round Up 1/12/10 – 42 Instant Album Reviews

One of the seven signs?

Here are 42 reviews that cover three weeks. Lots of stuff has happened in the past three days. Most notably, a couple of musician deaths and the whole mass crisis thing in Haiti. I think Heidi Montag’s album may have brought upon these tragedies, sort of like a precursor to the apocalypse. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 1/12/10 — 42 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up for 12/8-12/15 – 50 Instant Album Reviews

They don't look much like hippies to me, either.

Pouria took advantage of my being away, and saved up 50 albums over two weeks of the lowest profile albums in the entire world (with a few exceptions). That means you get FIFTY album reviews in ONE column! Who else can provide you such value? Read on! Continue reading “New Release Round Up for 12/8-12/15 — 50 Instant Album Reviews”

Show Review & Photo Gallery: Peaches, Amanda Blank, and Wallpaper at The Regency Ballroom, 11/27/09

Peaches with guest rapper/ghost
Peaches with guest rapper/ghost

There’s nothing like a sexy party to work off Thanksgiving Dinner, and anyone that was smart enough to not go shopping was at the biggest sexy party in town. We had Wallpaper, Oakland’s synth funk wunderkinds, we had Amanda Blank, Philly’s naughty synth-hop diva, and the queen of raunch, Peaches, to show the kids how it’s done. (Hopefully with a condom.)

Continue reading “Show Review & Photo Gallery: Peaches, Amanda Blank, and Wallpaper at The Regency Ballroom, 11/27/09”

New Release Round Up 11/24/09 – 20 Instant Album Reviews

Not a new release; rather, the editor's favorite Thanksgiving music.
Not a new release; rather, the editor's favorite Thanksgiving music.

With Turkey day here. my mind is focused on cooking two heritage turkeys. Lucky for you I still listen to music during this intense focusing. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 11/24/09 — 20 Instant Album Reviews”

Show Review: Neon Indian with Nite Jewel at the Rickshaw Stop 11/19/2009

Neon Indian Rickshaw Stop 11/19/2009

I was not really in the mood for a show on Thursday night. I had worked overtime, was feeling grouchy, and as a result was thinking of ways to back out of going to the Rickshaw Stop to see Neon Indian.

But my internal guilt forced me to take action. I decided that I’d eat some sushi in Walnut Creek then head over. Bad mistake. I had the worst piece of sushi I’ve ever had in my life and was wondering if I might be poisoned. Continue reading “Show Review: Neon Indian with Nite Jewel at the Rickshaw Stop 11/19/2009”

New Release Round Up, 11/17/09 – 20 Instant Album Reviews

Pouria says, "Listening to this album is like watching Over the Top."
Pouria says, "Listening to this album is like watching Over the Top."

I’ve been in Seoul for the past couple weeks so I’ve had a bit of a break.  Fortunately I could ease in this week since it didn’t really seem like much came out.  One really hilarious album came out this week, so if you get a chance you should listen to Pretty Ricky for some lighthearted fun. Continue reading “New Release Round Up, 11/17/09 — 20 Instant Album Reviews”