Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Steven Wilson is certainly no stranger to epics. Whether his work in the band Porcupine Tree with songs like the sprawling “Anesthetize,” or his solo effort about serial killer Denis Rader “Raider II,” he has proven quite the knack for epic songs, cycles, and albums over the years. It should prove no surprise that his recent single for the upcoming The Future Bites, “Personal Shopper,” shares this epic quality.
Continue reading “Single of the Week: Personal Shopper by Steven Wilson”
The news lately has been anything but great lately, so I have some good news! It looks like Outside Lands 2020 Eager Beaver Tickets are going on sale THIS THURSDAY at 10am. This is the cheapest tickets are going to get, and these tickets go fast, so buy them early! It’s true, there is no line up yet. But, I mean, you are going to go. Might as well buy them now!
In the world of garage rock, it’s expected for bands to put out material quickly and furiously. Bands like Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall have set the bar so high that one record a year comes off as “slow.” When Habibi didn’t follow up their 2014 debut – a delicious blend of garage crunch, 60’s girl group harmonies, and Iranian melodies – right away, people just assumed they called it quits. It wasn’t until 2018, when they put out a short EP, that I thought they were even still a unit. However, it took six long years before we got a proper follow up. It also meant six years without a proper visit to SF. I’m glad that 2020 gave us both. Continue reading “Show Review: Habibi, Rudy de Anda, Babewatch at Bottom Of The Hill, 2/29/2020”
Remember the “Sad Ben Affleck” meme that was circulating a few years ago? Maybe you thought to yourself, “Hmmm… that would make a great film. Especially if it were combined with an underdog high school basketball movie like Hoosiers.” Well, sorry to say, but director Gavin O’Connor has beat you to it in his new Affleck-helmed picture The Way Back. But you know what? All kidding aside, despite a few flaws, the movie actually works, and Affleck delivers what’s easily a career best performance.
Haim’s swift rise to fame was partnered with an even swifter decline in critical favorability. Their second record, Something To Tell You, had the band playing bigger venues than ever, but it wasn’t a far enough progression for the band to keep them as a the critical darlings they deserve to be. I was even ready to shrug them off… Then, I heard “The Steps.” This song is kind of a monster… There is still that signature classic rock riffage, but the song is just plain “bigger” than anything we’ve ever heard from them. This is an anthem for the ages, and may very well be the thing we needed from Haim.
Expectations are firmly set for their third record, Women in Music, Vol III, in stores & streaming April 24th. You can preorder double red vinyl from this link!
Sometimes, the cure for what ails you is simply a massive guttural scream. This week, “MIORATA” by dodola is the exact guttural scream that releases the tension. This track comes off of the dodola’s self-titled debut record recently released on Bandcamp. It’s a 10 track beast of a record that assaults the senses, while occasionally opening up for a breath. However, the peace is always balanced out by increased intensity. This has been a rough week for the world, and what better way to end it than with a dose of pure sonic catharsis.
Noise Pop week. It’s pretty much impossible, isn’t it? It’s the single best programmed week of live music the Bay Area gets all year! And this year marks the return on the Noise Pop Film Series! There is other fun stuff in store, like a photo exhibit at Hotel Biron, and some secret late shows at Cafe du Nord! So, yes, there is plenty do to that ISN’T seeing a band. Which is my life’s blood, and probably your’s, too, since you are reading this preview. Since there is a lot to do, this is not a comprehensive guide to the fest by any means. (That can be found here) This is one show per day that you should go to, plus a movie on some days. And if you don’t want to buy nine sets of tickets, pick up a badge that can get you into EVERYTHING! Continue reading “Spinning Platters Guide To Noise Pop 2020”
“How do you say to someone ‘don’t die’?” a character asks in Ordinary Love, which pretty much sets the tone for this grim but well done film about a long married couple coping with the wife’s recent breast cancer diagnosis. The movie is startling realistic, so much so that anyone who has been through cancer (either as a patient, or as a supportive family member/friend) may want to avoid it for the unpleasant memories it may bring back. Consider that your upfront trigger warning. But Irish husband/wife directing team Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, working from a script by Irish playwright Owen McCafferty, have crafted a nuanced, raw, and well-acted picture that, despite the downer subject matter, is worth your time.
Calgary, Alberta experimental pop trio, Braids have been quiet for the last five years. Instead of resting on their laurels, they’ve been working hard at producing their 4th full length record. And, if the lead single, “Young Buck,” is any indication, this is going to be their most accessible record yet! However, they haven’t gone completely soft. This might be their most emotionally complex piece of lyric yet. The accompanying video is also a potent piece of film!
Shadow Offering, the latest full length LP from Braids hits all the usual places on April 24th. You can preorder online here!
Their North American tour kicks off June 3rd! Don’t miss one of the most intense live experiences of your life!
This week’s Single of the Week comes from Personal Trainer. This is the debut single from this power trio based out of both Philadelphia AND Brooklyn. (Odds are that there is some infighting about which town has the best pizza) This track starts out sounding deceptively simple, but builds into a delightful aural treat that spans an insane amount of emotions on 4:18. This song is a stunner, and I can’t wait to hear more from this band.
“Backyward” can be found on Soundcloud and Spotify. You can also follow the band on Instagram and Twitter to stay in the know when they put out more material.
