Spinning Platters – Page 329 – Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds

Show Review: Little Boots and Music Go Music at The Independent, 9/19/09

We were dancing too much to use our cameras.

A bunch of the Spinning Platters gang went to The Independent last night to see British pop sensation Little Boots perform on her first American tour. Because we enjoyed the No Doubt review, where we all shared our brief remarks, we thought we’d repeat this. Yes Giantess was also on the bill, but four fifths of us worked earlier that night, and got there only in time to see Music Go Music. So what did we think of Little Boots? Were her boots made for walking out the door or for dancing the night away? Continue reading “Show Review: Little Boots and Music Go Music at The Independent, 9/19/09”

Album Review: the breakUps – Illness at Ease

One of the advantages of being a famous album reviewer for the world renowned Spinning Platters is that I get people sending me music for review. I knew eventually all my laziness work would pay off. Today it’s Illness at Ease from the dubiously grammared, unsigned band the breakUps. Most review requests seem generic but this one had a directness and honesty that caused me to give the samples a listen and led me to this full album review. Continue reading “Album Review: the breakUps — Illness at Ease”

Show Review: The Gaslight Anthem, Murder By Death, The Loved Ones and Frank Turner at The Fillmore, 9/20/09

Brian Fallon's headwear was copied throughout the crowd

Ever since I was introduced to The Gaslight Anthem and their brilliant breakthrough album, The ’59 Sound, I’ve wanted to see them live. I missed a couple of chances due to unsolvable conflicts, but last night I finally got the chance. As a devoted reviewer, I got there plenty early to check out the three opening bands as well. Four bands on one bill can be a bit much, especially for a Sunday night. So how did it all go in the end? Continue reading “Show Review: The Gaslight Anthem, Murder By Death, The Loved Ones and Frank Turner at The Fillmore, 9/20/09”

Show Review: Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks and The Twilight Sad at The Independent, 9/18/09

I’d been looking forward to the Frightened Rabbit show at The Independent for some time. Not because of Frightened Rabbit or even The Twilight Sad, I’d been pining away for We Were Promised Jetpacks (WWPJ).

I first listened to their album These Four Walls on Lala and it quickly became one of my favorites. The intensity and power of Adam Thompson’s (lead singer) voice almost guaranteed an excellent live performance. So, naturally, when I found out they were playing in the city I had to go. Continue reading “Show Review: Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks and The Twilight Sad at The Independent, 9/18/09”

Show Review: Porcupine Tree at The Warfield Theater, 9/18/09

I arrived at the Warfield tonight for the Porcupine Tree show, and Market Street was already packed with people waiting to get in. Another night, another sold out show at the Warfield, and this time it’s a band with no “hits” to speak of. This time, it’s the masters of modern British prog, Porcupine Tree. I’m a huge fan, so I’m not the best person to judge whether this show was good or bad. But I can tell you, if you’re also a fan, everything you need to know. Continue reading “Show Review: Porcupine Tree at The Warfield Theater, 9/18/09”

Show Review: Phoenix & The Soft Pack at The Warfield Theater, 9/17/09

Thomas Mars feels at home among his fans

Phoenix is something of a rarity these days: they’re a band that can sell out the Warfield. It’s been a pretty slow-selling concert season here in San Francisco, and a lot shows are going undersold in many venues around town. Some venues are offering season passes, some are offering their shows for half price on sites such as Goldstar, and others are simply papering the house. None of that was necessary for Phoenix, who are riding the wave of their extremely well received album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Continue reading “Show Review: Phoenix & The Soft Pack at The Warfield Theater, 9/17/09”

New Release Round-Up, 9/15/09 – 27 Instant Album Reviews

This week was a little worrisome; the merging of hipsters and “rappers” is picking up steam as indicated by Skinny Jeanz. Get those bomb shelters stocked up it’s only a matter of time until the hipster apocalypse. Soon the coolest rappers will pretend there is no one like them and that they hate all those other rappers…oh wait. Continue reading “New Release Round-Up, 9/15/09 — 27 Instant Album Reviews”

Album Review: Sondre Lerche – Heartbeat Radio

Heartbeat Radio - The musical version of a Snuggie?

Just in case you didn’t already know, Sondre Lerche is an indie-pop singer/songwriter from Norway. Heartbeat Radio is his sixth album and it has the more polished sound that a sixth album should have. It sounds like classic 60’s s pop songwriting with modern indie instrumentation. What exactly does that sound like? Like your parents favorite songs played by your favorite indie-pop band. Could be the greatest thing ever, but does it really work? Continue reading “Album Review: Sondre Lerche — Heartbeat Radio”

The Avengers, Pansy Division, Paul Collins Beat at The Uptown Nightclub, 9/17/09

So much notoriety on this bill! Every single act on this bill has been a major part of musical history, yet none of them have experienced much in the lines of commercial success. We have The Paul Collins Beat, featuring Paul Collins of The Nerves. Classic power pop band best unknown for originally recording “Hanging On The Telephone,” later made in to a monster hit by Blondie. (If you ever listen to Sound Opinions, their version is the one they sometimes play before going to the listener feedback portion of the show.) Pansy Division’s claim to fame is being the all-gay pop-punk band with innuendo filled lyrics that Green Day selected as the opening act for the big Dookie tour in 1994. It seems that the parents weren’t very happy with them in the Midwest. The Avengers were the band that opened for the Sex Pistols at Winterland Ballroom in 1978, which of course was the last show the Sex Pistols ever played. (We do not discuss the Sex Pistols reunion.)

Continue reading “The Avengers, Pansy Division, Paul Collins Beat at The Uptown Nightclub, 9/17/09”

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”