Thursday, December 31, 2009
Favorites of 2009
(taken from CW Blog)
The first decade of the new millennium is coming to an end, and what better way to cap it off than with a fantastic year of music. Sure, the industry may be crumbling right before our very eyes, but that didn’t deter artists from coming out with some great tunes.
I discovered a bunch of new (and very awesome!) bands along the way, such as Grizzly Bear, Metric, and Passion Pit, and played the crap out of beloved favs like the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and Brand New. Well-established front men like Jack White and Julian Casablancas dabbled into new musical territory with their side projects, while Jay-Z continued to impress us with his familiar hit-making formula. We saw the glorious rise of Phoenix, but were stunned by the tragic death of the King of Pop. However, ‘tis not a time to mourn, but to celebrate! Here’s looking to another year of incredible music, and hoping that the music industry will live to see another day. Cheers!
Favorite Albums of 2009:
1. The Avett Brothers- I And Love And You
2. Audrye Sessions- Audrye Sessions
3. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s- It’s Blitz!
4. Thrice- Beggars
5. fun.- Aim and Ignite
6. Metric- Fantasies
7. Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
8. Silversun Pickups- Swoon
9. Jay-Z- The Blueprint 3
10. Paramore- brand new eyes
11. 30 Seconds to Mars- This Is War
12. Brand New- Daisy
13. Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
14. Muse- The Resistance
15. Passion Pit- Manners
16. Regina Spektor- Far
17. The Dead Weather- Horehound
18. Tegan and Sara- Sainthood
19. Imogen Heap- Ellipse
20. Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the Young
Honorable Mentions:
Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
Dead Man’s Bones- Dead Man’s Bones
Barcelona- Absolutes
MUTEMATH- Armistice
Kid Cudi- Man on the Moon
The xx- xx
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Favorite Shows of 2009
1. Dashboard Confessional/New Found Glory @ Slim's
2. Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Fox Theater
3. Coldplay @ Shoreline Ampitheater
4. No Doubt/Paramore @ Shoreline Ampitheater
5. Yeah Yeah Yeah's @ Fox Theater
Favorite Albums of the Decade (2000-2010)
1. Death Cab for Cutie- Transatlanticism
2. Arcade Fire- Funeral
3. Radiohead- Kid A
4. Beck- Sea Change
5. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s- Fever to Tell
6. At the Drive-In- Relationship of Command
7. Deftones- White Pony
8. Thrice- Vheissu
9. Linkin Park- Hybrid Theory
10. Jimmy Eat World- Bleed American
11. Bright Eyes- I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
12. Brand New- Your Favorite Weapon
13. Postal Service- Give Up
14. Saves the Day- Stay What You Are
15. The Format- Dog Problems
16. Glassjaw- Worship and Tribute
17. Taking Back Sunday- Tell All Your Friends
18. AFI- Sing the Sorrow
19. Paramore- Riot
20. The Killer’s- Hot Fuss
The first decade of the new millennium is coming to an end, and what better way to cap it off than with a fantastic year of music. Sure, the industry may be crumbling right before our very eyes, but that didn’t deter artists from coming out with some great tunes.
I discovered a bunch of new (and very awesome!) bands along the way, such as Grizzly Bear, Metric, and Passion Pit, and played the crap out of beloved favs like the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and Brand New. Well-established front men like Jack White and Julian Casablancas dabbled into new musical territory with their side projects, while Jay-Z continued to impress us with his familiar hit-making formula. We saw the glorious rise of Phoenix, but were stunned by the tragic death of the King of Pop. However, ‘tis not a time to mourn, but to celebrate! Here’s looking to another year of incredible music, and hoping that the music industry will live to see another day. Cheers!
Favorite Albums of 2009:
1. The Avett Brothers- I And Love And You
2. Audrye Sessions- Audrye Sessions
3. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s- It’s Blitz!
4. Thrice- Beggars
5. fun.- Aim and Ignite
6. Metric- Fantasies
7. Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest
8. Silversun Pickups- Swoon
9. Jay-Z- The Blueprint 3
10. Paramore- brand new eyes
11. 30 Seconds to Mars- This Is War
12. Brand New- Daisy
13. Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
14. Muse- The Resistance
15. Passion Pit- Manners
16. Regina Spektor- Far
17. The Dead Weather- Horehound
18. Tegan and Sara- Sainthood
19. Imogen Heap- Ellipse
20. Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the Young
Honorable Mentions:
Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
Dead Man’s Bones- Dead Man’s Bones
Barcelona- Absolutes
MUTEMATH- Armistice
Kid Cudi- Man on the Moon
The xx- xx
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Favorite Shows of 2009
1. Dashboard Confessional/New Found Glory @ Slim's
2. Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Fox Theater
3. Coldplay @ Shoreline Ampitheater
4. No Doubt/Paramore @ Shoreline Ampitheater
5. Yeah Yeah Yeah's @ Fox Theater
Favorite Albums of the Decade (2000-2010)
1. Death Cab for Cutie- Transatlanticism
2. Arcade Fire- Funeral
3. Radiohead- Kid A
4. Beck- Sea Change
5. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s- Fever to Tell
6. At the Drive-In- Relationship of Command
7. Deftones- White Pony
8. Thrice- Vheissu
9. Linkin Park- Hybrid Theory
10. Jimmy Eat World- Bleed American
11. Bright Eyes- I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
12. Brand New- Your Favorite Weapon
13. Postal Service- Give Up
14. Saves the Day- Stay What You Are
15. The Format- Dog Problems
16. Glassjaw- Worship and Tribute
17. Taking Back Sunday- Tell All Your Friends
18. AFI- Sing the Sorrow
19. Paramore- Riot
20. The Killer’s- Hot Fuss
Live 105's Not So Silent Night @ Oracle Arena- 12/11/09
Here's another late show review.
Actually, let me preface by saying that although this might've be one of the best concerts I've been to this year, this is one I'd much rather forget, not because of any bad performances, but rather the circumstances surrounding the concert.
Never bring a drunken ass-hole stoner as your date to a concert! Lesson learned. (The idiot actually feel asleep during Muse's set...frickin MUSE, man! How do you do that?!?! Seriously. Idiot missed out.) And to think... I actually liked the guy. Oh well, at least now I know to keep away from him. I needed to shake him off my system. He was no good.
Anyway, Muse put on a kick-ass show as always...
(review taken from CW Blog)
A couple of years ago, I made one of the worst concert-going decisions ever.
The British band Muse came to play at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and I missed the chance to see them, opting instead for an Amber Pacific show at Slim’s. Big mistake. From then on, I vowed that if Muse ever had another show in the Bay Area, I would be there. So, as soon as I heard Muse was headlining this year’s Not So Silent Night, I made sure to hop on those tix immediately.
The sold-out crowd packed into the Oracle Arena this past Friday night to witness one of the hottest live acts on the planet, along with other amazing bands such as Metric, Vampire Weekend, 30 Seconds to Mars, and AFI.
Winners of the local band showcase Scene of Action kicked off NSSN 2009, followed by Metric, who played a fantastic and memorable, yet all too short set. Vampire Weekend were charming as always, playing some fan favorites, as well as tracks from their upcoming sophomore release, “Contra,” due in stores Jan. 12.
The noise and energy level went up a few notches as 30 Seconds to Mars took to the stage. Front man/heartthrob Jared Leto really got the audience going when he encouraged them to crowd surf, even joining in the fun himself at one point. Everything was going perfect until a technical glitch caused the sound to cut off during the band’s performance of their latest single “Kings and Queens.” The Los Angeles trio handled the mess quite well, carrying on with a smile and finishing off their set in strong fashion.
Local boys AFI emerged onto the stage to the warm cheers of the welcoming crowd, who were ecstatic to see the return of their hometown heroes. In addition to promoting the band’s new album, “Crash Love,” vocalist Davey Havok flaunted a new look of his own, appearing like a cross between Morrissey and David Bowie, with his quiff-ish ‘do and shiny gold suit. The band’s goth-punk sound stirred the floor into a flurry of mosh pits. The group put on a dynamic display of twirling, kicking, jumping, and mic swinging, undoubtedly leaving their mark on the crowd.
Normally, this would be a tough act to follow, but to a band like Muse, this was nothing. The British trio were able to get almost the entire arena off their feet, opening up with the title track to their recently-released fifth album, “The Resistance.” Muse’s larger-than-life, arena-rock sound incited fist-pumps and loud chants aplenty. Drummer Dominic Howard pounded the skins like a possessed beast, with Christopher Wolstenholme’s chest-thumping bass lines enhancing every beat. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Matthew Bellamy cranked out the raucously distorted guitar solos, while belting out the apocalyptic tunes like there was no tomorrow. The crowd went crazy for classics like “New Born,” Plug-In Baby,” and “Hysteria,” but perhaps one of the highlights of the night came as the band performed their catchy and anthemic current single, “Uprising.” The group heroically capped off the night with their out-of-this-world epic, “Knights of Cydonia.”
Muse have already established themselves as international superstars, still they have yet to strike it big stateside. But, based on the reception of their performance last Friday night, I have a feeling that it won’t be long till they finally take over the US.
(Clip of Muse playing Uprising. Enjoy!)
Actually, let me preface by saying that although this might've be one of the best concerts I've been to this year, this is one I'd much rather forget, not because of any bad performances, but rather the circumstances surrounding the concert.
Never bring a drunken ass-hole stoner as your date to a concert! Lesson learned. (The idiot actually feel asleep during Muse's set...frickin MUSE, man! How do you do that?!?! Seriously. Idiot missed out.) And to think... I actually liked the guy. Oh well, at least now I know to keep away from him. I needed to shake him off my system. He was no good.
Anyway, Muse put on a kick-ass show as always...
(review taken from CW Blog)
A couple of years ago, I made one of the worst concert-going decisions ever.
The British band Muse came to play at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and I missed the chance to see them, opting instead for an Amber Pacific show at Slim’s. Big mistake. From then on, I vowed that if Muse ever had another show in the Bay Area, I would be there. So, as soon as I heard Muse was headlining this year’s Not So Silent Night, I made sure to hop on those tix immediately.
The sold-out crowd packed into the Oracle Arena this past Friday night to witness one of the hottest live acts on the planet, along with other amazing bands such as Metric, Vampire Weekend, 30 Seconds to Mars, and AFI.
Winners of the local band showcase Scene of Action kicked off NSSN 2009, followed by Metric, who played a fantastic and memorable, yet all too short set. Vampire Weekend were charming as always, playing some fan favorites, as well as tracks from their upcoming sophomore release, “Contra,” due in stores Jan. 12.
The noise and energy level went up a few notches as 30 Seconds to Mars took to the stage. Front man/heartthrob Jared Leto really got the audience going when he encouraged them to crowd surf, even joining in the fun himself at one point. Everything was going perfect until a technical glitch caused the sound to cut off during the band’s performance of their latest single “Kings and Queens.” The Los Angeles trio handled the mess quite well, carrying on with a smile and finishing off their set in strong fashion.
Local boys AFI emerged onto the stage to the warm cheers of the welcoming crowd, who were ecstatic to see the return of their hometown heroes. In addition to promoting the band’s new album, “Crash Love,” vocalist Davey Havok flaunted a new look of his own, appearing like a cross between Morrissey and David Bowie, with his quiff-ish ‘do and shiny gold suit. The band’s goth-punk sound stirred the floor into a flurry of mosh pits. The group put on a dynamic display of twirling, kicking, jumping, and mic swinging, undoubtedly leaving their mark on the crowd.
Normally, this would be a tough act to follow, but to a band like Muse, this was nothing. The British trio were able to get almost the entire arena off their feet, opening up with the title track to their recently-released fifth album, “The Resistance.” Muse’s larger-than-life, arena-rock sound incited fist-pumps and loud chants aplenty. Drummer Dominic Howard pounded the skins like a possessed beast, with Christopher Wolstenholme’s chest-thumping bass lines enhancing every beat. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Matthew Bellamy cranked out the raucously distorted guitar solos, while belting out the apocalyptic tunes like there was no tomorrow. The crowd went crazy for classics like “New Born,” Plug-In Baby,” and “Hysteria,” but perhaps one of the highlights of the night came as the band performed their catchy and anthemic current single, “Uprising.” The group heroically capped off the night with their out-of-this-world epic, “Knights of Cydonia.”
Muse have already established themselves as international superstars, still they have yet to strike it big stateside. But, based on the reception of their performance last Friday night, I have a feeling that it won’t be long till they finally take over the US.
(Clip of Muse playing Uprising. Enjoy!)
New Found Glory/Dashboard Confessional @ Slim's- 12/2/09
So I know that this entry is just a tad late, but better late than never right? As previously assured, here's the review of the special NFG/DC show at Slim's that happened earlier this month:
(review taken from my blog on the CW Website):
Dashboard Confessional and New Found Glory @ Slim’s
It was like I traveled back in time to high school last Wednesday night.
Dashboard Confessional, along with guests New Found Glory, stopped by Slim’s on December 2nd to play a special acoustic show, introducing a few new tracks off their latest albums, as well as pleasing die-hard fans with some old school material.
New Found Glory appeared as if they were ready to crash a prom, coming out with their matching tuxedo t-shirts. The pop-punkers are known for their deafeningly high-energy shows, so playing unplugged was a bit of awkward for them at first, but vocalist Jordan Pundik and guitarist Chad Gilbert decided to break the ice by sharing a few hilarious stories of the different pranks they played upon each other, triggering the crowd into a fit of laughter. The band hit their stride with the more sensitive acoustic version of “My Friends Over You,” then astonished the audience by segueing into a cover of “Brick” by Ben Folds. The band spread some holiday cheer, ending their set with “The Christmas Song.”
All of New Found Glory’s work of hyping up the crowd paid off when Dashboard Confessional, as represented by front man Chris Carrabba and accompanying member John Lefler, surfaced onto the stage to the thrilled cheers of the audience.
Chris hasn’t seemed to change at all. Dressed in a plaid shirt, with sleeves cuffed up to reveal his tattooed forearms and dark hair slicked-back, the emo icon looked just the same as he did when he first emerged onto the scene. Much to the surprise of the audience, DC opened up with an old fan-favorite “A Plain Morning.” Following up with “The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most,” Chris encouraged a round of sing-along by stepping away from the mic, allowing the crowd to sing the majority of the vocals. Throughout the set, it felt as if we, the audience, were as much the stars of the show as the other two members of the band. They played a good mix of new and old, testing out some new tracks like, “Until Morning” and “Belle of the Boulevard, while including several old goodies such as “Swiss Army Romance,” “Brilliant Dance,” and “Screaming Infidelities.” Dashboard Confessional ended the night in epic fashion, performing 2001’s “So Impossible EP” in its entirety and, of course, in order-- “For You to Notice”, “So Impossible”, “Remember to Breathe”, and finally the well-loved “Hands Down”.
Dashboard Confessional’s “Alter the Ending” and New Found Glory’s “Not Without a Fight” are out now. Do yourself a favor and grab copies of both!
http://www.myspace.com/dashboardconfessional
http://www.myspace.com/newfoundglory
Some snippets from the show (Belle of the Blvd, Screaming Infidelities):
(review taken from my blog on the CW Website):
Dashboard Confessional and New Found Glory @ Slim’s
It was like I traveled back in time to high school last Wednesday night.
Dashboard Confessional, along with guests New Found Glory, stopped by Slim’s on December 2nd to play a special acoustic show, introducing a few new tracks off their latest albums, as well as pleasing die-hard fans with some old school material.
New Found Glory appeared as if they were ready to crash a prom, coming out with their matching tuxedo t-shirts. The pop-punkers are known for their deafeningly high-energy shows, so playing unplugged was a bit of awkward for them at first, but vocalist Jordan Pundik and guitarist Chad Gilbert decided to break the ice by sharing a few hilarious stories of the different pranks they played upon each other, triggering the crowd into a fit of laughter. The band hit their stride with the more sensitive acoustic version of “My Friends Over You,” then astonished the audience by segueing into a cover of “Brick” by Ben Folds. The band spread some holiday cheer, ending their set with “The Christmas Song.”
All of New Found Glory’s work of hyping up the crowd paid off when Dashboard Confessional, as represented by front man Chris Carrabba and accompanying member John Lefler, surfaced onto the stage to the thrilled cheers of the audience.
Chris hasn’t seemed to change at all. Dressed in a plaid shirt, with sleeves cuffed up to reveal his tattooed forearms and dark hair slicked-back, the emo icon looked just the same as he did when he first emerged onto the scene. Much to the surprise of the audience, DC opened up with an old fan-favorite “A Plain Morning.” Following up with “The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most,” Chris encouraged a round of sing-along by stepping away from the mic, allowing the crowd to sing the majority of the vocals. Throughout the set, it felt as if we, the audience, were as much the stars of the show as the other two members of the band. They played a good mix of new and old, testing out some new tracks like, “Until Morning” and “Belle of the Boulevard, while including several old goodies such as “Swiss Army Romance,” “Brilliant Dance,” and “Screaming Infidelities.” Dashboard Confessional ended the night in epic fashion, performing 2001’s “So Impossible EP” in its entirety and, of course, in order-- “For You to Notice”, “So Impossible”, “Remember to Breathe”, and finally the well-loved “Hands Down”.
Dashboard Confessional’s “Alter the Ending” and New Found Glory’s “Not Without a Fight” are out now. Do yourself a favor and grab copies of both!
http://www.myspace.com/dashboardconfessional
http://www.myspace.com/newfoundglory
Some snippets from the show (Belle of the Blvd, Screaming Infidelities):
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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