Single of the Week: “Mind Eraser” by Nicole Atkins

My partner and I had a conversation the other night about artists that we were really into for a time, and then just stopped listening to, and now they’ve released more material we aren’t familiar with than are. Nicole Atkins is in that boat for me… I loved LOVED her 2007 record Neptune City. Her follow-up, Digging Other People’s Songs. is a stunning covers collection. In fact, her version of The Church’s “Under The Milky Way” is the definitive version, in my own humble opinion. The next thing I know, 13 years go by, and she’s released a LOT of material during that time that I just ignored. This was a mistake. But I’m making up for lost time now… Her latest single, “Mind Eraser,” is a stunning, potent torch song. It’s also our Single Of The Week. 

“Mind Eraser” is off Atkins’ upcoming live album Memphis Ice, coming to your local on-demand streaming service AND record store on December 10th. Why not prepare for it’s arrival by pre-saving or pre-ordering here? While you are at it, Nicole Atkins is also doing a live stream on release day, so you can enjoy her stunning live set from the COVID-free (hopefully) confines of your home. Order tickets here! 

Film Review: “Belfast”

You can’t go home again, but you can make a mediocre movie about it

Buddy (Jude Hill) plays in the streets of his beloved Belfast.

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.

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Single Of The Week: “Florence & Selena” by Riki

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! 

Show Review: Idles with Gustaf at The Warfield, 11/6/2021

                                                          Idles loves us and we love them too.

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”

Outside Lands 2021 Diary

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”

Film Review: “Spencer”

No fairy tale: Larraín’s take on Diana falls flat

Kristen Stewart is Princess Diana in SPENCER.

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.

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Noise Pop Phase 1 Line Up Announced / Tickets On Sale TODAY at 10am!!

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! 

Single of the Week: “Billy Goodbye” by Franz Ferdinand

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. 

Show Review: Soccer Mommy with alexalone at The Fillmore, 10/29/21

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”

Film Review: “Last Night in Soho”

Wright’s foray into horror yields twisty, bloody results

Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy) hopes Jack (Matt Smith) can help jump-start her career in show business.

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.

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