Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
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”
We are a hip music site. We cover all the latest and greatest sounds that are bubbling under. So, one might ask why we are covering the blink-182 concert? Isn’t this just a cash grab spawned by the band’s recent return to the spotlight because of drummer Travis Barker’s plane crash? Even the most avid fan has to admit that the band’s performance on the Tonight Show was underwhelming at best.
I have always enjoyed this band, from my senior year of high school, when the new kid that just moved up from San Diego gave me a dubbed tape of his favorite band from his home town. That cassette was Cheshire Cat, which I still own and cherish. I was very split about whether or not I even wanted to attend this show, since I didn’t want my memory to be forever altered by the current version of the band. As the days led up to this show, I kept hearing “Josie” in places. At the grocery store, coming out of passing cars, and, well pretty much everywhere. I decided that I needed to go.
Continue reading “Show Review: blink-182, Weezer at Shoreline Amphitheater, 9/13/09”
When we were sent The Big Pink’s debut album to review, I had never heard of them so I was excited to discover someone I didn’t know anything about. It was obvious to me that the band name was a reference to the classic album Music From Big Pink by The Band, a record that brought us “The Weight” and “I Shall Be Released.” So I was expecting a band with heavy Bob Dylan & the Band influences. Boy, was I wrong. Continue reading “Album Review: The Big Pink — A Brief History of Love”
Michael Franti has been putting on the Power To The Peaceful festival every year since 1999, and it has always been the middle weekend in September. It’s a fun event that combines social activism and music, and is headlined by Franti every year. It’s also free. And seems to get bigger every year. This year gave us The Honey Brothers, Sly & Robbie, Alanis Morissette, and, of course, Franti and his band Spearhead.
I’ve been thinking about how every show review I write is positive, which makes sense since, if I’m going to a show, it is someone I like and listen to. But tonight was a little different. I’ve had the hots for Adrian Grenier since the movie Drive Me Crazy, and continue to love him on the HBO show Entourage, so when our Editor-In-Chief wanted a live edition of Sing it Hasselhoff I was happy to oblige. I was even more excited when I found out Soko, who I was sad canceled her spot at SXSW 2009, was opening. But I had no real idea what I was in for and thought this might be my first negative show review. But when, during the second song from the opening band his Orchestra, two of the band members started running around the audience laughing and playing I knew that either this was going to be the best show ever or one giant letdown.
There’s a rumor going around that I’m too old for concerts. Well it’s not true, the concerts are fine, it’s the driving there and back that I’m too old for. Well today I ventured out to that rare event, for me anyway, a stadium show featuring The Killers and, what tipped the scales for my attendance, The New York Dolls. Continue reading “Show Review: The Killers, The New York Dolls and The Nervous Wreckords at Shoreline Amphitheater, 9/12/09”
I am going to let you in on a little secret- I have never heard Yo La Tengo before. I love the indie rock, and I have even worked at a record store (or 5). I understand who they are, and I understand the effect they have had on society. I know that every new record store employee will file them in the Spanish-language section. (Once I had a fellow employee bring me the Yo La Tengo section from rock and let me know that somebody was misfiling them) They are a band that has been through a lot, even overcoming this great tragedy!
Continue reading “Album Review: Yo La Tengo — Popular Songs”
I listen to a lot of music on Lala.com. It’s a great way to find new artists on new album day. But you have to sift through a lot of crap. Since I’ve been wading in music-waste for the past few months, it was suggested that I’d be a great guide as to what to skip and what to enjoy. These reviews will be by no means professional. Just one dude listening to music and reacting. Continue reading “New Release Round-Up, 9/8/09 — 31 Instant Album Reviews”
So, yesterday was 9/9/09, the day of the Beatle. While everyone was at home listening to the newly remastered stereo and mono boxsets or playing the make believe Beatles video game, I opted to attend a performance by a slightly younger band that may only be as big as the Pope, not Jesus. (Now, if anyone at Harmonix or EMI is reading this, and would like me to review either Beatles Rock Band or the new remasters, feel free to send them my way: email me at dakin@spinningplatters.com and I will give you my mailing address)
Continue reading “Show Review: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, YACHT at The Fox Oakland, 9/9/09”
Whatever you think about the new Muse album, The Resistance, you’re right. If you love it, you have nothing to be ashamed of. If you hate it, you’re definitely within your rights to do so. I don’t think this is a polarizing record. I think it’s an affirming record. It’s not going to change anyone’s mind on the band; rather, your opinion of Muse will be rewarded by what you’ll find. So what will you find? Continue reading “Album Review: Muse — The Resistance”