Single Of The Week: “NVR RLLY” by King Isis

Jesus Christ, this song is heavy. I’m not quite sure how else to describe it. This song is one blistering blend of drop D-tuned guitars combined with vocals so emotionally volatile that King Isis sounds like they are singing through their heart, which they’ve ripped out of their own chest and smashed in your face. And seriously. They are so intense and heavy that they are the polar opposite of what the terrorist group ISIS stands for, reclaiming it with a guttural thunder. A reminder that Oakland, CA, is where all the best people on Earth are from. 

“NVR RLLY” is the latest single from Shed and the latest EP from King Isis, and it just so happens to be out TODAY! 

Show Review: Mclusky, Suzie True, and Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends at The Echoplex, 03-04-2024

“This one’s for you Susan.”

It’s been a while since I’ve been to a show at the Echoplex. When I first moved to Los Angeles, it quickly became a favorite venue for a wide array of bands, and I covered a lot of fun gigs there. Somewhere along the line, I stopped making it to as many, and I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe I was just working too much, and I was too exhausted even to try, or maybe I just wasn’t seeing the bands that I wanted to see getting booked there. So what a hell of a time to go back to see one of my all-time favorites, Mclusky, tear the fucker apart!

Continue reading “Show Review: Mclusky, Suzie True, and Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends at The Echoplex, 03-04-2024”

Show Review: Otoboke Beaver w/Drinking Boys and Girls Choir and Auxilio at The Belasco 03-02-2024

“We Are The Champon!”

Rain in Los Angeles, for a supposed plethora of reasons, is like a mini apocalypse. Angelinos just can’t seem to handle it and, more often than not, will stay in during “weather events” instead of going to the movies or grabbing dinner somewhere. It’s just too much of a hassle to brave the weather because everyone on the road is a goddamn idiot. In the case of Otoboke Beaver’s Sold Out show at the Belasco, however, 1,500 people decided to say, “Fuck the rain.” I can’t blame them; I said the same thing. That said, the weather wasn’t particularly awful, in my opinion, as a NorCal-raised aging punk rock metalhead, and god dammit if we weren’t going to enjoy a night of femme-driven rock and roll from across the Pacific.

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Album Review: Elbow, “Audio Vertigo”

‘You’re a pitiless millstone / Impossible check / You’re a lure to the shore / And the rocks and a wreck / You’re a slender and elegant foot on the neck / And I love you.’ Elbow frontman Guy Garvey delivers these poetically devastating lyrics on “The Picture,” one of twelve tracks from the band’s tenth studio album, Audio Vertigo. Elbow’s previous album, Flying Dream 1 (which landed on our Top 20 Albums of 2021 list), was whimsical and contemplative, and now the band has emerged post-pandemic with a boisterous spirit, delivering an album full of groovy hooks and dark romantic musings. Continue reading “Album Review: Elbow, “Audio Vertigo””

Single of the Week: “Decoy” by Bree-on-uh

I’ll admit that the single of the week rarely finds itself on the darker end of the pop spectrum. But “Decoy” by the joyfully named Bree-on-uh is equal parts dark and warm and has been sticking to my soul for a full week now. This song definitely makes me feel bright, in all its minor key glory and is likely to do the same for you. 

“Decoy” can be enjoyed in all the usual places. I expect good things to come from her, so follow her on the socials, too! 

Film Feature: Carrie and Chad Pick the 2024 Oscars

Film critics Carrie and Chad on who will – and who should – win the 96th Academy Awards

The 96th Academy Awards air tomorrow, Sunday, March 10th, on ABC at a new, earlier 4:00 pm PST start time. Friendly reminder to fellow film fans: don’t forget to spring forward for daylight savings, or you might miss the start of the show! Below, Spinning Platters film critics Carrie Kahn and Chad Liffmann share their predictions and thoughts for the major categories. Although we feel smug when our picks win, we don’t mind some upsets to keep things interesting! You can print your own ballot here. Good luck to all!

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Single of the Week: “Strange World” by La Luz

If you didn’t know Bay Area psych mastermind Spacemoth. had joined La Luz already, you’d know within a few notes of “Strange World.” It really is a perfect union- La Luz’s dreamscapes getting punched up by Spacemoth.’s trademark warmth and danceability. It’s the strongest song in what’s a very, very strong combined catalog of the two acts, and I can’t wait to hear more of this very, very holy union. 

“Strange World” is the first single off News Of The Universe, coming May 24th. Preorders are happening now! The band will also be on the road for, well, what looks like ever! Dates can be found here! 

KMDFM celebrates 40 years of kickin’ ass in Atlanta with start of LET GO tour

With hands thrown in the air and fists slapping the sky, fans of all ages bobbed along, banging heads to the “ultra heavy beat” at the Masquerade in Atlanta on March 6, 2024.

KMFDM opened its 40th anniversary tour with the first track off the 2022 release, Hyëna.

Continue reading “KMDFM celebrates 40 years of kickin’ ass in Atlanta with start of LET GO tour”

Film Review: “Kung Fu Panda 4”

Fourth time around, kung fu fighting animals still make for a fun outing

The Kung Fu Panda franchise has been a reliable family-friendly brand since the first film was released in 2008, spawning three sequels and a few television series. What could be more thrilling than adorable animals displaying kung fu moves if you’re a child? And for adults, kinetic animated action sequences and efficient running times are welcome. Despite the noticeable absence of some major characters, Kung Fu Panda 4 continues the series’ consistent level of fun, once again embracing its charismatic central protagonist while featuring abundant colorful fight sequences.

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Show Review: K.Flay with Cam Kahin at The Independent, 3/27/24

We, the music nerds of Spinning Platters, love K.Flay (aka Kristine Flaherty). So much so that after I submitted Mono as one of my top 3 albums of 2023, she not only made the final top ten (as voted by all of us), but she won the whole damn thing! Despite all of this, I had only seen her perform twice: once opening for Imagine Dragons and once at a LoveLoud festival in Salt Lake City. So when I saw that she was going to be playing back-to-back shows at a tiny SF venue, I jumped at the chance to finally see K. Flay headline a show! Continue reading “Show Review: K.Flay with Cam Kahin at The Independent, 3/27/24”