Show Review: Hot Chip with The xx at The Fox Oakland, 4/16/2010

Hot Chip and their sonic jungle
Hot Chip and their sonic jungle

Anyone passing through the lobby of the Fox Theater last night would have guessed, by the WHOMM WHOMM WHOMM of thudding bass and the polychromatic splashes of color across the glass entrance doors, that the normally-rock-band-friendly theater had been taken over by a massive rave. While there were, indeed, sparkling electronics, trumpeting synthesizers and a solid sense of rhythm, a live band was to be found onstage, with five total members contributing to intricate layers of percussion, electronics, and even vocal duties. The quintet, however, was not a group of tribal-clad or neon-covered techno gods; they were, well, five fellows who love music just as much as the next guy. Collectively, they are known as Hot Chip.

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Single Review: Blur – Fool’s Day

I totally feel like this kid today

I am, and there’s no better word for it, a Blur superfan.  They’ve been my favorite band since I was 17.  That was 1995.  You can do the math.  But all old jokes aside, I was very sad that I couldn’t make the trek to London to stand in line for hours and get one of the 1,000 copies of the new Blur 7″ “Fool’s Day” released for Record Store Day in the UK.  As an old-school collector who spent all my lunch money on imported Blur singles, this was a painful decision.  At least no one could go because of some sort of apocalyptic devil-ash, and I take solace in that.  And in the fact that the internet exits… but I’ll get to the song now. Continue reading “Single Review: Blur — Fool’s Day”

Show Review: Jónsi at Zellerbach Hall, 4/15/10

All I can REALLY say is that you didn’t go to this show, you’ve just made the biggest mistake of your life.  Let me tell you all about it.  Maybe you made it up to yourself by seeing it last night in San Francisco, or you can make it up by traveling to faraway lands.  Really, its worth it. Continue reading “Show Review: Jónsi at Zellerbach Hall, 4/15/10”

Show Review: Atoms For Peace (Thom Yorke) at the Fox Oakland, 4/15/10

What surprises did Thom have that aren't listed? Read on to find out!

An international man of mystery.  No, not that one.  Thom Yorke’s experimental genius continues to grow over the years and has culminated into his current project entitled “Atoms For Peace.”  Bay Area music fans were treated to two performances on what has been a very brief and selective tour, ending with a headlining performance at this year’s Coachella music festival.  As most ticket holders to Wednesday’s performance have already claimed, they did not leave disappointed.  It would be safe to assume that a large majority of Thursday’s audience were veterans of the previous night’s performance.  Given the opportunity, who wouldn’t allow Thom and his new group of lads to dazzle them two nights in a row?

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New Release Round Up, 4/13/10 – 35 Instant Album Reviews

This is the album I made Pouria listen to for skipping last week's column

Sorry to everyone who expected to see this last week. Due to some unexpected laziness I only listened to new releases and didn’t review them. There was general outrage and I won’t do it again. Continue reading “New Release Round Up, 4/13/10 — 35 Instant Album Reviews”

Show Review: Muse with Silversun Pickups at Oracle Arena, 4/14/10

Matt Bellamy of Muse shined lasers at the audience. Is this safe?

Do you miss seeing a rock band put on a real show? Do you miss vast arrays of colored lights, moving platforms, spinning drum sets … do you miss lasers? If you do, Muse is the right band to see right now. Yet hidden behind all of the flashiness of their show is also a strong musical core. The two sides of this fight against each other, though, making the whole thing less than the sum of its parts. The question, though, is how big are those parts?
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Show Review: Atoms For Peace (Thom Yorke) at the Fox Oakland, 4/14/10

Energetic Atoms

I think we’ve reached the point where if Thom Yorke’s name was attached to a juggling festival, the show would be sold out in three seconds flat.  Nobody in music today holds the same trust in the eyes, ears, and hearts of fans more than he does.  All Radiohead fans seem to blindly follow, and with good reason, whether it’s his own project, or if he’s simply recommending some new music.  As one of those followers, although I do like to think I have my eyes open (I haven’t purchased every piece of music he’s recommended, or own every b-side put out!), I was there at the beautiful Fox Theater with everyone else ready to lose ourselves in the live version of the mostly electronic The Eraser. Continue reading “Show Review: Atoms For Peace (Thom Yorke) at the Fox Oakland, 4/14/10”

Show Review: La Roux at The Fillmore, 4/14/10

Elly Jackson doing the British ginger strut at The Fillmore last night.

La Roux performed their third San Francisco concert in less than a year last night at The Fillmore, and it was a roof-shaking culmination of everything that’s been hinted at by their smaller-scale previous appearances.

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Show Review: Faith No More with White Trash Debutantes and the El Camino High School Cheerleaders at The Warfield, 4/14/2010

Mike and Mike of Faith No More
Mike and Mike of Faith No More

Well now, that’s one mouthful of a title. Out on the marquee it just says “special guests!” On the other hand, it also lists “special guests” being present at all three nights — Monday, Tuesday, and tonight’s final show of Faith No More’s 3-night residency at the Warfield Theater. With the warped minds of Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton, and anti-comedian Neil Hamburger, each show has promised to be one hell of a treat. Along with an infamous punk-rock act from the San Francisco area, each night also has a second opening slot reserved for some form of bizarre entertainment — with a great emphasis on the bizarre. Continue reading “Show Review: Faith No More with White Trash Debutantes and the El Camino High School Cheerleaders at The Warfield, 4/14/2010”

A Music Nerd’s Guide To The San Francisco International Film Festival

As a world class city, we get some pretty impressive events. Often times, these events tend to pile on top of each other, such as Fauxchella overlapping with the San Francisco International Film Festival. Of course, piling into clubs night after night can seriously wear on even the most enthused music fan, and sometimes it’s pleasant to sit in a seat in an air conditioned theater. That’s where we can serve you. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your time as a music nerd at the SF International Film Festival, and this is your guide. Ticket information can be found here.

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