Song: Laura Palmer
Artist: Bastille
Album: Bad Blood
Song: We Sink
Artist: Chvrches
Album: The Bones of What You Believe
Song: Strawberry Swing
Artist: Frank Ocean
Album: Nostalgia-Ultra
Song: Ways To Go
Artist: Grouplove
Album: Spreading Rumors
Song: Say Something
Artist: A Great Big World
Album: Is There Anybody Out There?
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tallest Man on Earth; Fox Theatre Oakland; September 5th, 2012
My first concern when Kristian Matsson, the man behind Tallest Man on Earth, steps out onto the stage at the beautiful Fox Theatre Oakland, is that the show I’m about to witness will be boring. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Tallest Man on Earth’s subtle lyrical genius, and absolute finesse with a guitar. My fear lies in the idea of seeing one guy, on a stage, all alone, with only his voice and guitar to entertain us for over an hour. It becomes clear as the first song begins though, that my fears are unfounded. Kristian Matsson has the presence of an entire band, the voice of a man three times his size, and the energy of a daycare center full of children hopped up on sugar. Every song is a completely different experience. Moments of boundless energy and happy lyrics, flow into pieces of melancholy instrumentals and lyrics that would break the heart of the coldest of people. Matsson illustrates a complete control of his craft, but also of the audience he holds in his hands, keeping us all wrapped up in a lyrical journey, as he turns each page, keeping us on the edges of our seats.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Song Picks for the Week : 09.03.12-09.09.12
Song: Agnes
Artist: Johnny Flynn
Album: Been Listening
Song: Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes
Artsist: Modest Mouse
Album: The Moon & Antarctica
Song: How
Artist: Regina Spektor
Album: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats
Song: Fernando
Artist: Jenny Lewis
Album: Acid Tongue
Song: Fire
Artist: Childish Gambino
Album: Sick Boi
Artist: Johnny Flynn
Album: Been Listening
Song: Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes
Artsist: Modest Mouse
Album: The Moon & Antarctica
Song: How
Artist: Regina Spektor
Album: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats
Song: Fernando
Artist: Jenny Lewis
Album: Acid Tongue
Song: Fire
Artist: Childish Gambino
Album: Sick Boi
Friday, June 10, 2011
Adele
21 2011
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Far from a Sophomore slump, Adele’s new album, 21, is blowing up, and for good reason. Pure and simple, emotional and heartfelt, Adele delivers something so honest it’s sometimes hard to listen to. A sober and more passionate Amy Winehouse, Adele croons and belts with the kind of powerhouse voice some singers would kill for. But this album is so much more than just astounding vocals. Adele writes lyrics so poignant and heartbreaking you feel as if you’re a walking along the long road of recovery of love and loss right there beside her. Her album is a story and we are her audience. Where some artists leave things out, Adele gives her listeners every bit of herself, opening herself up and letting her heart spill out onto the floor. 21 is a true combination of vocal talent and the kind of lyrical prowess that makes music worth listening to. Anyone who has ever begged for someone to stay, while feeling their heart break, can get wrapped up in this album. Adele is opening up to us, like a real artist should, and saying “hey girls, I know it hurts, but we can get through this”.
21 2011
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Far from a Sophomore slump, Adele’s new album, 21, is blowing up, and for good reason. Pure and simple, emotional and heartfelt, Adele delivers something so honest it’s sometimes hard to listen to. A sober and more passionate Amy Winehouse, Adele croons and belts with the kind of powerhouse voice some singers would kill for. But this album is so much more than just astounding vocals. Adele writes lyrics so poignant and heartbreaking you feel as if you’re a walking along the long road of recovery of love and loss right there beside her. Her album is a story and we are her audience. Where some artists leave things out, Adele gives her listeners every bit of herself, opening herself up and letting her heart spill out onto the floor. 21 is a true combination of vocal talent and the kind of lyrical prowess that makes music worth listening to. Anyone who has ever begged for someone to stay, while feeling their heart break, can get wrapped up in this album. Adele is opening up to us, like a real artist should, and saying “hey girls, I know it hurts, but we can get through this”.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Song Picks for the Week: 06.05.11-06.11.11
Song: Take It All
Artist: Adele
Album: 21
Song: One More Night (Your Ex Lover Remains Dead)
Artist: Stars
Album: Set Yourself On Fire
Song: Skinny Love
Artist: Bon Iver
Album: For Emma, Forever Ago
Song: April Fool
Artist: Manchester Orchestra
Album: Simple Math
Song: Lover I Don’t Have To Love
Artist: Bright Eyes
Album: Lifted Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear to The Ground
Artist: Adele
Album: 21
Song: One More Night (Your Ex Lover Remains Dead)
Artist: Stars
Album: Set Yourself On Fire
Song: Skinny Love
Artist: Bon Iver
Album: For Emma, Forever Ago
Song: April Fool
Artist: Manchester Orchestra
Album: Simple Math
Song: Lover I Don’t Have To Love
Artist: Bright Eyes
Album: Lifted Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear to The Ground
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Queens of The Stone Age; April 11th, 2011 Oakland, CA
The first thing I notice as I step into the wonderfully majestic venue that is Fox Theatre Oakland is the most incredibly diverse audience I have ever set eyes on. Within moments of stepping into this venue it is clear that Queens of The Stone Age appeal to twenty year old guys in plaid and glasses, slutty girls with glow sticks and fake boobs, cougars with jeans and shirts that are just a little bit too tight, even forty something moms and dads with there twelve year old kids. It makes for an inviting atmosphere. Everyone is here for one thing, and that’s to see Queens of The Stone Age rock.
The opening band comes out at eight on the dot. They’re a rockabilly group by the name of The Dough Rollers with sternly hair sprayed hair, funky suits, cool ties and definitely the right attitude to pull of the whole thing. The bass player is the hot one that doesn’t talk. It’s pretty much obvious that he is who all the girls are screaming for, he plays it cool though. The lead singer has the look too, and there is no doubt he’s talented, but there’s something about him I don’t like. His vocals are good, but they feel strained and forced, like he is trying too hard to win us over with this seemingly authentic rockabilly sound. I wish he’d just relax and be more real. All the songs seem to be about how his baby left him, or how his baby isn’t in his bed, or how his baby is with another man, it is definitely fun to listen to, but it gets tiring and repetitive after awhile and I start finding myself getting restless for the main event.
Only a half hour after The Dough Rollers finish their set, Queens of The Stone Age are gracing us with their presence. Josh Homme doesn’t say anything before starting to play, it is just an instantaneous transition from the audience waiting, to Queens of The Stone Age delivering what everyone came here for. For the first part of the set Homme’s doesn’t say too much, he just plays, and takes some time between songs to take unreasonably large swigs from a bottle of Ketel One. It isn’t until a sufficient way through the show that he starts having things to say. It’s a Queens of The Stone Age show so people are rowdy, and having a good time, and the big dudes armed with flashlights at the front keep shining them into the crowd to make sure nothing gets too outrageously out of hand. Josh Homme is in the middle of saying something when one of the security men shines the light into the crowd, “hey, hey, security guy. Shut the fucking flashlight off, this is a Queens of The Stone Age show, people can do whatever the fuck they want”. The flashlights remain off for the rest of the show. It’s not too long after this that Homme’s starts smoking on stage in between drinks from his half gone bottle of vodka and, you know, actually singing songs and stuff. His state though hardly effects the show. They play their self titled first album in entirety and then bust out some other favourites. The crowd goes crazy for "Burn The Witch", a personal favourite of mine, that rocks hard, has a killer bass line, and a sort of cool, dark fairy tale feel to the lyrics.
They leave the stage after a solid hour of playing, but the crowd goes crazy for their return and it isn’t long until they’re back. Josh Homme walks out along with the rest of the band, including the terrifying looking guitar player in his purple suit and the keyboardist who looks like a creepy Bill Hader. “This means so much to me,” Homme’s says sincerely, “ You guys are probably thinking, Josh, you’re drunk. And I am. But all I know is you guys look beautiful.” They start the encore after that and it’s all screams from the crowd and perfect rock and roll. Crowd surfing ensues and I actually see one guy make the round at least a half dozen times, he’s an older man with a puffy vest and sneakers, not what I imagine when I think crowd surfer, but hey, like Josh said, this is a Queens of The Stone Age show and you can do whatever the fuck you want.
After two encores, some drunken words from Josh Homme, and at least an hour and forty five minutes of glorious music, the night is over. The floor is littered with plastic glasses and remnants of spilled alcohol and our minds are spinning from the awesomeness of it all.
The opening band comes out at eight on the dot. They’re a rockabilly group by the name of The Dough Rollers with sternly hair sprayed hair, funky suits, cool ties and definitely the right attitude to pull of the whole thing. The bass player is the hot one that doesn’t talk. It’s pretty much obvious that he is who all the girls are screaming for, he plays it cool though. The lead singer has the look too, and there is no doubt he’s talented, but there’s something about him I don’t like. His vocals are good, but they feel strained and forced, like he is trying too hard to win us over with this seemingly authentic rockabilly sound. I wish he’d just relax and be more real. All the songs seem to be about how his baby left him, or how his baby isn’t in his bed, or how his baby is with another man, it is definitely fun to listen to, but it gets tiring and repetitive after awhile and I start finding myself getting restless for the main event.
Only a half hour after The Dough Rollers finish their set, Queens of The Stone Age are gracing us with their presence. Josh Homme doesn’t say anything before starting to play, it is just an instantaneous transition from the audience waiting, to Queens of The Stone Age delivering what everyone came here for. For the first part of the set Homme’s doesn’t say too much, he just plays, and takes some time between songs to take unreasonably large swigs from a bottle of Ketel One. It isn’t until a sufficient way through the show that he starts having things to say. It’s a Queens of The Stone Age show so people are rowdy, and having a good time, and the big dudes armed with flashlights at the front keep shining them into the crowd to make sure nothing gets too outrageously out of hand. Josh Homme is in the middle of saying something when one of the security men shines the light into the crowd, “hey, hey, security guy. Shut the fucking flashlight off, this is a Queens of The Stone Age show, people can do whatever the fuck they want”. The flashlights remain off for the rest of the show. It’s not too long after this that Homme’s starts smoking on stage in between drinks from his half gone bottle of vodka and, you know, actually singing songs and stuff. His state though hardly effects the show. They play their self titled first album in entirety and then bust out some other favourites. The crowd goes crazy for "Burn The Witch", a personal favourite of mine, that rocks hard, has a killer bass line, and a sort of cool, dark fairy tale feel to the lyrics.
They leave the stage after a solid hour of playing, but the crowd goes crazy for their return and it isn’t long until they’re back. Josh Homme walks out along with the rest of the band, including the terrifying looking guitar player in his purple suit and the keyboardist who looks like a creepy Bill Hader. “This means so much to me,” Homme’s says sincerely, “ You guys are probably thinking, Josh, you’re drunk. And I am. But all I know is you guys look beautiful.” They start the encore after that and it’s all screams from the crowd and perfect rock and roll. Crowd surfing ensues and I actually see one guy make the round at least a half dozen times, he’s an older man with a puffy vest and sneakers, not what I imagine when I think crowd surfer, but hey, like Josh said, this is a Queens of The Stone Age show and you can do whatever the fuck you want.
After two encores, some drunken words from Josh Homme, and at least an hour and forty five minutes of glorious music, the night is over. The floor is littered with plastic glasses and remnants of spilled alcohol and our minds are spinning from the awesomeness of it all.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Song Picks for the Week: 04.11.11-04.17.11
1. Song: Parachute
Artist: Ingrid Michaelson
Album: Parachute- Single
2. Song: Comin' Home
Artist: City & Colour
Album: Sometimes
3. Song: Magdalena
Artist: Brandon Flowers
Album: Flamingo
4. Song: The Gambler
Artist: Fun.
Album: Aim & Ignite
5. Song: Changes
Artist: Stars
Album: The Five Ghosts
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