Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Writer/director Kenneth Branagh, best known for his Shakespeare adaptations, turns his attention from the Elizabethan era to late 1960s Northern Ireland in his new film Belfast. The time and place offer as much drama and conflict as anything by the Bard, but Branagh’s nostalgic film, a black and white period piece based on his own boyhood, feels lightweight and forgettable despite its dramatic context.
When I was a kid, I thought the coolest instrument in the world was the saxophone. I was born in 1979, so my childhood was deep in the ’80s. My entire time in the single digits was during the era of the intense, melodramatic sax intro. When I popped on “Florence & Selena,” that intense joy of the great sax intros of my childhood permeated directly into my soul. This song is a dream… It’s like The Cocteau Twins and Sade’s band finally made a record together.
“Florence & Selena” is off Riki’s forthcoming LP Gold, due out in stores on November 26th. And, yes, that’s Black Friday. So you can preorder it here to avoid the crowds, or you can always pick it up while you are grabbing your Record Store Day – Black Friday titles!
After two long years, the mighty Idles finally made their appearance at the Warfield Thursday night as part of their “Beauty From Ashes” tour. While mainly a celebration of being able to tour again, it’s now also a de facto album tour for their upcoming album Crawler, which drops this Friday, November 12. Arriving at the Warfield with singer Joe Tablot proclaiming his foot to be “fucked,” how would the band and crowd celebrate being together after such a long break? Continue reading “Show Review: Idles with Gustaf at The Warfield, 11/6/2021”
A special thanks to Paige Parsons for providing us with so many lovely photos this year. You should follow her on Instagram, as her feed will bring you many bursts of joy.
Outside Lands was the first concert I remember going on sale in the dark days of SIP. It sold out in two minutes, and my husband and I looked into our souls and wallets and sprung for VIP. And then, I wound up getting a press pass. Anyway! I was very very excited to go, and it’s been a long time since I reviewed anything. Continue reading “Outside Lands 2021 Diary”
Given the excess of coverage and plethora of media portrayals of Diana, the late Princess of Wales, that Chilean director Pablo Larraín would choose her as the subject of his new film feels somewhat odd. Do we really need another look at Diana and the royal family and all their dysfunction? If you’re a fan of The Crown, you may already have had your fill, but if you’re still curious for even more on the inner workings of the Windsors and Diana’s psyche, then Larraín’s Spencer may be for you.
I always think of Noise Pop 2020 as the “last” festival… They managed to finish up just *barely* before the pandemic began to take a grip on society and pretty much end fun as we know it. So, seeing them announce their return today left me feeling a little bit of… Dare I say hope? Ages 5-11 are now able to get vaccinated. California is still doing fantastic at keeping both infections and hospitalizations down. I’ve spoken to a few venue managers in the Bay, and people are surprised by how few infections seem to be happening in the live events community, at least locally. So maybe, just maybe, Noise Pop 2022 (running Feb 21-27) *might* end up being our first time to safely and collectively “let loose” in two whole years.
And there is SO MUCH HOPE in this line-up! The first thing that caught my eye was noticing Quasi is back! This would be drum master Janet Weiss’ first Bay Area performance since her near-fatal car accident in 2019, as well as her first visit since leaving Sleater-Kinney. There are also comeback sets by Spinning Platters’ favorites Papercuts, The Drums (performing Portamento), and The Microphones. We also have a performance by Faith No More keyboardist Roddy Bottum’s quarantine protect Man On Man. Yes, I’m old, but I like new things, too. And I’m particularly stoked to see Hunny, King Princess, Hand Habits, and Ian Sweet all on the bill. AND THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST WAVE!!! I’m already exhausted trying to figure out what I’m going to go to. Schedule and tickets for individual shows can be found here. Don’t like making decisions in advance? There are still a few badges available at Phase 1 prices! $159 for “all you can eat” live music for a whole week? You can’t beat that!
It feels weird to call “Billy Goodbye,” a comeback single from Franz Ferdinand… They are consistently putting out records. But “Billy Goodbye” is definitely not so much a return to form, but definitely a renewed enthusiasm within the band. It may be the addition of new drummer Audrey Tait, who is a monster on the skins. The track is classic British glam, calling to mine Bowie at his bluesiest. It’s got the classic Franz danceyness, albeit without that Gang Of 4 angular side.
“Billy Goodbye” is available in all the usual places. It’s the lead single off Franz Ferdinand’s greatest hits compilation, Hits To The Head, due out March 11th, 2022 on CD, Cassette, and a slew of vinyl variations so you can pick one to keep sealed and one to listen to.
It’s a Fillmore show so the most important question on everyone’s mind is surely whether there would still be apples. The answer was yes but not red delicious. Some sort of fuji or gravenstein perhaps. Also new was that someone selected and handed me my apple because of COVID. I guess their job could be considered apple picker.
Only 2 names on this bill, and the first was alexalone. Continue reading “Show Review: Soccer Mommy with alexalone at The Fillmore, 10/29/21”
You’d be forgiven if, when you saw the poster or trailer for Last Night in Soho, you assumed it would be some sort of edgy, stylized, dark humor-filled picture. After all, the film’s director is Edgar Wright, of Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead, and The World’s End fame. The film’s marketers seem to be seizing on fans’ perception of Wright to sell the film, but make no mistake – this movie is markedly different from the rest. Above all else, this picture is a horror movie, and an exceptionally bloody one at that, making its Halloween weekend release appropriate.
Spinning Platters isn’t afraid of music that isn’t in English. My Spanish is really, really terrible. But that doesn’t interfere with my ability to the sweeping, cinematic soul of “El Imperio” by Florencia Andrada. This song is a stunner. The type of song that calls to mind Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes when they were doing their biggest, most epic songs. My only complaint about “El Imperio” is that it’s the rare song that might be too short- once it’s over, I want to start it up again.
“El Imperio” is out for you to enjoy in all the usual places. Her next full length record will be ready for you to enjoy some time in 2022. Follow her on the socials so you can stay on top of that release date!
