Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
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”
Running as fast as I could from the Studio on the Tenth Floor on New Montgomery, after the newest Spinning Platters podcast recording (cough), I made it to the bus stop only to find myself hoping I wouldn’t miss Emiliana Torrini’s first song. Long story short, I gave in, hopped a cab, and made it just into the middle of song two (sorry, I know I know, Blur pun….I couldn’t help myself). Continue reading “Emiliana Torrini at the Great American Hall, 8/18/09”
The Cult came to the Warfield on a Sunday night as part of their Love Tour, a show that has them playing through their classic first album on a nightly basis. When bands play the full albums, fans get excited in advance, but having seen a number of these shows for myself, they’re usually boring affairs, as you already know what’s coming. What’s the fun of track eight, “Revolution,” when you know that track nine, “She Sells Sanctuary,” comes next? Well, I’ll tell you what kind of fun that is. Continue reading “Show Review: The Cult at The Warfield Theater, 8/23/09”
Underworld formed in 1986, yet are often considered part of the mid-90’s electronica craze that also included acts like Fatboy Slim, Chemical Brothers, and Crystal Method, among others. I’ve always felt that this was a bit of an unfair distinction, only because they are a bit different from the rest. (No disrespect to any of the aforementioned acts, they are all respectable within their own genres.) I feel that they are a pop group that incorporates elements of house, trance and industrial music. They also pay much closer regard to lyrics, oftentimes telling complete stories within their songs. Continue reading “Show Review: Underworld at The Fox Oakland 8/7/09”
People ask me all the time, “which band have you seen the most?” To this question, I answer Moxy Fruvous. If they ask me who’s in second place, I can answer that it’s Phish. Last night was the 22nd time I’ve seen Phish in concert, but for the first time in a dozen years. It’s hard to “review” a Phish show; it is what it is. Consider this a personal exploration into an evening of Phish. Continue reading “Show Review: Phish at the Shoreline Amphitheater, 8/5/09”
Sonic Youth released their first record in 1982. Since then, they have averaged a new release every year and a half or so. (15 full length releases, in case you are keeping track.) This doesn’t include eps, singles, benefit compilation tracks, soundtrack work, side projects, parenting, eating, sleeping, or other such things that take up time. And, arguably, none of them have been “bad.” Sure, you might not have listened to Murray Street in a few years, but it’s still a good record. They are without peer in terms of longevity and consistency. They have a live presence that has always been a force to be reckoned with. The youngest member of the band is 47, but they still play like they are in their early 20’s.
Continue reading “Show Review: Sonic Youth, Awesome Color at The Fox Theater, 8/2/09”
Jarvis Cocker struts on stage like the king of brit pop he is. Unlike most musicians/celebrities he is even larger in life than in pictures. His charisma is almost earth shattering and after about 20 years of performing he really knows how to work the crowd. His speeches between songs are hilarious and insightful. He makes it feel really personal, like he’s just talking to you whilst he is running around the stage posing and using the microphone in wonderfully phallic ways. Before the song “Leftovers” he proclaims “The Iguanodon is not aroused” as he swings the microphone limply. This was just the beginning of an evening full of quotes and great memories. Continue reading “Show Review: Jarvis Cocker at The Fillmore, 7/28/09”
The last time I saw The Noisettes, they were opening for TV On The Radio at The Fillmore in early 2007. They played a solid set of soul-inflected garage rock, similar to The Dirtbombs and The Detroit Cobras, only a touch noisier. They were also very shy on stage. They didn’t talk to the crowd, and stayed pretty reserved throughout the set. Two years, and several UK hits later, we have a completely re-identified band.
Continue reading “Show Review: The Noisettes, Princeton at The Rickshaw Stop, 7/28/09”
Jay Brannan has the kind of voice you dream of at night. Silky smooth and beautiful. My first voice teacher used to prod me to imagine a string, and while singing you’re slowly pulling the string out of your throat in this smooth never ending line. That’s what Jay Brannan sounds like, that elusive smooth perfect voice flowing on and on into the night. He backs that voice of his up with some great songs, good guitar playing, hilarious stage banter and a whole lot of hotness.
Continue reading “Show Review: Jay Brannan at Bottom of the Hill, 7/25/09”
Last night, I finally visited The Wiltern in Los Angeles to see my current favorite band, Elbow. [Editor’s note: expect lots of fanboy gushing.] They’re in the U.S. supporting Coldplay, and they added three headline dates. Since none of their shows–the support or headline ones–are coming up to the Bay Area, I decided that I would fly down for the show as well as take the opportunity to visit with some of my Southland friends and drop in on Disneyland, too. Travelling for a show automatically raises the stakes and makes it harder to live up to expectations. So how did this night go? Continue reading “Show Review: Elbow at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, 7/22/09”