Lists – Page 8 – Spinning Platters

Choosing My Top 13 Albums of the Decade

There’s this fun little website called The Top 13 Albums Project. For the last two years, they’ve invited anyone who’s interested to enter their top 13 albums for the year into the database. They then compile all of these lists into one master top 13 list for the year. Why 13? I have no idea. All I know is it tends to be a pretty good look at what the blogs are loving that year. Fleet Foxes and The Boxer by The National were the top albums in the last two years. Now, they’re doing a Top 13 of the decade, and in order to participate, you need to submit your list by October 2nd. Of course I’m participating. Follow me now as I run through my personal list. Continue reading “Choosing My Top 13 Albums of the Decade”

Spinning Platters Picks Six Interesting Cover Versions from YouTube

A rather quirky habit of mine is to search through youtube looking for cover songs. I love to watch amateurs do covers of my favorite songs and I love to watch my favorite bands doing their versions of interesting tunes. I have to say there are some really good amateur performances out there but this list focuses on the pro’s. My biggest problem here was keeping this list down to six, but here we go Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six Interesting Cover Versions from YouTube”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Reasons to Like John Mayer (But Not His Music)

John is too cool to care what you think of this article.

It’s popular among music nerds to dislike John Mayer. I don’t know why this is.

OK, I do know why this is. It’s because his music is characterized by this sugary weepiness that seems borrowed from the worst of Dave Matthews. “Your Body Is a Wonderland” and “Daughters” are primary offenders. This makes the girls cry, and next thing you know, he’s dating a never-ending stream of actresses and models. Then he goes out and decides he wants to be a blues guitar legend, and people bow down to him like he is one. And finally, he’s the token white guy at the Michael Jackson memorial, playing a smooth jazz instrumental version of “Human Nature,” and the circle of hate is complete.

But even with all of that, I realize I kinda like John Mayer for a few reasons. Here’s why you might, too. Let me know in the comments what you think of him when you’re done reading. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Reasons to Like John Mayer (But Not His Music)”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Reasons Why Music Games Are Important

RockBandJPG

Yes, I admit it, I like to play Rock Band on the Xbox 360. Some people seem to think that’s not a cool thing for a “real” music fan and musician to do, but as the latest versions of Rock Band (Rock Band: Beatles) and Guitar Hero (Guitar Hero 5) hit stores over the next couple of weeks, let’s stop to ask ourselves if and why these games matter. I’m going to argue that they do. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Reasons Why Music Games Are Important”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: An Early Educated Guess At Bridge School

So, Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit is October 24th-25th. For those that aren’t already aware, Neil and Pegi Young have a school for the developmentally disabled. Every year, they put together an acoustic show with a few friends in the business. In the past, these friends have included Tom Waits, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ministry, and, well, the list can go on for miles. Today, I am going to try to predict six of the bands playing. They usually announce the bill about six weeks in advance, so we have a bit more time, and as some acts get confirmed, I will revise the bill. Well, on with the show: Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: An Early Educated Guess At Bridge School”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Classic Moments from John Hughes Movies

John Hughes 01

The tweet came a little while ago.

Breaking: John Hughes Has Died

Next thing I knew, I was on Youtube watching a video that was a compilation of great John Hughes movie moments. In that spirit, this is my tribute to the great musical moments (and a couple of others) from John Hughes movies. I don’t have a lot to say here; just watching the clips is enough. Pretty much everyone in my generation got a lot of personality shaping from his movies, so this is just my way of paying tribute.

John Hughes 1950-2009

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Classic Moments from John Hughes Movies”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Bands I Forgot From The 80’s

Pull out those analog synths it's 1983 again.

Lets be clear up front – this is a personal list. I came across the Associates the other day and it got me thinking about bands that I was REALLY into in the 80’s that I had forgotten about. I dug into some old records and websites and came up with this six. Some bands from the 80’s that you may have forgotten and loved will not make the list because I have not forgotten them. This is not a best bands from the 80’s. Purely a personal list of bands that touched me in some way that I had forgotten about.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Bands I Forgot From The 80’s”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Ways To Discover New Music

I’m the sad case of a middle aged man who only likes to listen to new music and refuses to buy in to “it was all better when I was younger.” So this gives me a problem – How do I find new music? Well I have come across some excellent methods that work well for me. They allow me to discover new bands, listen to them and decide what I want to buy.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Ways To Discover New Music”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Bands That Seem Likely To Headline Outside Lands

6 likely candidates to cover for the Beasties at Outside Lands

(Update: Another Planet announced today that Tenacious D are going to be replacing The Beastie Boys… Odd choice, and one that I never would have expected…)

So, it seems that the good people at Another Planet are taking their time with revealing who will take over the headlining slot for the Beastie Boys. I’d like to take the time tell you which six acts are likely to take it over. This isn’t a wish list, this is a well researched list of acts that are popular enough to headline a large outdoor festival, that are currently active, are available August 30th, and do not have any other shows in the Bay Area within 3 months before and after the show. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Bands That Seem Likely To Headline Outside Lands”

Spinning Platters Picks Six: Hidden Music Gems on Youtube

Shhhh. Don't tell the record label that this video is out there.

Many an hour in my life has been spent hunting down classic music moments on Youtube. From live performances that have never been released on home video–only a moment from being removed by a copyright holder–to modern-day music videos, Youtube is a treasure trove of musical moments. So although I’m picking only six today, you can be sure that I’ll be picking six again. Here are six Youtube music videos I can watch over and over again, and do. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Hidden Music Gems on Youtube”