Outside Lands 5th Lineup

Wow!  A loaded lineup this year featuring notables such as Beck, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Neil Young, Jack White, Sigur Ros, Skrillex, and the list goes on.  Tickets go on sale this thursday at noon.  See the full lineup here http://lineup.sfoutsidelands.com/

15 Coachella Sets to Not Miss

15.  Beats Antique:  Expect a well crafted experience consisting of electro-acoustic instruments fused with world instruments, complimented by belly dancers.  This will be a fun show to dance and enjoy a talented group of musicians.

14.  M83:  Pop is an understatement.  Transporting us back to the 80's, this show should be a dancey good time with strobes, catchy drum beats, and synth riffs sure to be stuck in your head for the rest of the fest.
13. Flying Lotus:  Hip hop, jazz, techno, this talented Dj takes a bit from every genre.  This show will be intruiging, fun, and most of all, consistently interesting, something many indie pop and techno shows lack.  Dancing in the tent, you may have as much fun as he looks like he has up there, which is quite a feat.
12. Band of Skulls:  Just when we thought classic rock was dead.  This four piece rock band puts on an insane performance!  I saw them two years ago and was blown away at both their drive and clarity.  If you are a White Stripes, Jimi Hendrix, or Led Zeppelin fan, look them up and go see them!
11.  Other Lives:  This band, relatively unknown just a few months ago, has taken center stage by touring with Radiohead on their King of Limbs tour.  But their recent success is better explained by their phenomenal debut album, Tamer Animals.  As an earlier day show, this would be a great one to see.
10. Andrew Bird:  This man is unbelievably talented.  A world class violonist, songwriter, singer, guitarist, and whistler?.  Yes!  As he loops himself to create a beautiful ambiance, I do not doubt there will be tears shed at this show.  And with a new album, Bird will surely put on a great set.
9.  Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg:  Who knows what to expect from this show.  Two rap legends, also joined by Eminem and Warren G... it's going to kick ass.  As the final headliner, with such classic acts, it would be a shame to miss this show.
8.   The Black Keys:  The band who has been dominating the music scene the past two years.  I was lucky enough to see them last year and the quality of the performance is undeniable.  With a whole stash of new material off of their latest album and a first ever headlining gig, I think we are all excited to see what they will whip up.
7.   Justice:  I'm sure you have all heard D.A.N.C.E, but those 3 minutes do nothing to capture the talent of these two dj's.  2 years ago Coachella offered Deadmau5, last year Boys Noize, this year, the house show of the weekend will be Justice.  Expect the festival to erupt with this show.
6.  Bon Iver: This band may seem like a simple singer songwriter performance, and not a show worth seeing, but this is a mistake.  I've read countless reviews that rave about this show, pegging it as one of the best touring performances out there.  The songs are good, the musicians better, and apparantly the show unforgettable.  Don't miss this!
5.  Amon Tobin:  One of the most mesmerizing visual performances of the weekend.  The dj rumored to have spent years and millions preparing the light shows for the stage.  The music is dancey yet complex, convoluted yet clear.  And from the videos and reviews I have seen, this show looks ridiculous.
4.  Godspeed You Black Emperor:  For the first time since 2003, the post-rock gods have gone on tour.  With every other show selling out in mere seconds, those with Coachella passes are in luck to get to see this band.  Using film projections to put their 15 minute epic songs into context, this will be a show that stays with you.
3.  Avicii - This will be a great show, hands down.  With incredible light shows and insanely fun dance music, this 22 year old Swedish DJ will close Coachella right with what is rumored to be on of the best techno performances around, rivaling the likes of Deadmau5 and Bennassi.  Sahara will be packed and Avicii will not dissapoint.
2.  Explosions In The Sky:  As popularity goes, this band will get outshadowed by many of the bigger names playing at competing set times.  But do not let that stop any of you from seeing one of the most talented post rock bands in the world.  Blending guitars and building drums will result in an emotional, awe-inspiring performance.  I have never seen this band and they are one of the main reasons I got a Coachella ticket.  This show will be amazing!
1.  Radiohead:  How could I not put them first?  With over 300 shows under their belt and no two setlists being the same, we really do not know what to expect.  But having over 200 songs to choose from, being one of the most acclaimed rock bands of all time, and being known for the live performances, I am sure the show will be nothing short of life changing.  This tour is already being called one of their best, and the band is known for throwing down at festivals.  Yes, they are my favorite band, but there is no bias when I say that it would be a mistake to miss this show.

Outside Lands

So much music fest excitement in the past few days.  Lollapalooza lineup announced, Coachella set times posted, and now the summer San Francisco music fest Outside Lands prepares fans for the big announcement.  The lineup will, according to their twitter, be announced Tuesday the 17th, along with instagram clues to who will perform on twitter.  Follow the site for the clues and be ready for a rumored to be amazing lineup that will drop Tuesday!

https://twitter.com/#!/sfoutsidelands

Lollapalooza!

The lineup just announced.  Black Sabbath will be headlining with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Keys, and Jack White.  Subheadliners ranging from The Shins and Sigur Ros, to Skrillex and Justice.  See the full lineup here.
http://lineup.lollapalooza.com/

Florence Unplugged

Florence and the Machine took the MTV stage last week, were stripped of electrics, and put on what a phenominal show.  If you are a fan at all, you should definitely check out the 12 performances that include two covers, one being a beutiful minimalistic cover of Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness".  The CD and CD/DVD pack are all released today.  Check MTV.com for more details.
Watch this awesome video of the acoustic "Drumming Song"

Playlist of the Week #19

Hey there!  Hope you all are enjoying the weather, but when you are kicking back or having a nice dinner, check out this playlist of some of my favorite jazz.
Enjoy!
1.  Autumn Leaves - Barney Kessel
2.  A Hard Day's Night - Lenny Breau
3.  How Deep Is The Ocean - Bill Evans Trio
4.  So What - Miles Davis
5.  Them There Eyes - Ella Fitzgerald
6.  Love is a Tender Trap - Frank Sinatra
7.  Love is Here to Stay - Harry Connick Jr.
8.  Laird Baird - Charlie Parker
9.  Cry Me a River - Julie London
10.  Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
11.  Desafinado - Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd
11.  Old San Juan - Spyro Gyro
12.  Summertime - Ray Barretto
13.  Minor Swing - Django Reinhardt

Norah

New track from her upcoming album, Little Broken Hearts.  Preorder the album: iTunes: http://bit.ly/yMms62; Amazon:http://bit.ly/xBkztz  Little Broken Hearts in stores May1st!

"Ports of Morrow" Album Review

Five years since their last release, Wincing the Night Away, The Shins released their new album Ports of Morrow last week.  James Mercer is back with a whole new gang including Joe Plummer from Modest Mouse and Yuuki Matthews from Crystal Skulls, among others.  Mercer later was quoted as saying that the theme of the album is "the struggle between good and bad".  And struggle seems to be the best word to describe the album as a whole.  As if Mercer's mind is split down the middle, Ports of Morrow seems to be a struggle between the desire to adventure into a new sound, and the comfort of simply creating another good Shins album.
             The album opens with "The Rifle's Spiral", which, despite Mercer's unmistakable voice, sounds like a whole new band (not entirely surprising considering it is).  For one, the band seems to experiment more with electronic music, most likely influenced from James' recent project with Dangermouse, Broken Bells.  And although this seems to work for them in tracks such as "Simple Song", "Rifle's Spiral", and "Ports of Morrow", the new sound is almost too clean.  This may strike one as a good attribute, but these tracks seem almost fit for an arena, nothing like the untrimmed indie songs found on albums like Oh, Inverted World.  So this album could either be considered the best or the worst album for the band, depending on what it is you love about them.  For those who grew up with The Shins being a sort of underground anthem band, the idea that they would even strive for a perfect sound is somewhat insulting.
             But regardless, Mercer still manages to put out some phenomenal songs, just further establishing himself as a great songwriter.  "Simple Song", already a large success, seems to put itself in the category with other classics such as "Caring is Creepy" and "Saint Simon".  The song is a head bopping tune, that will drop your stomach at it's vocal-bruising chorus.  And to give credit to the new band members, the piano and precise bass by Matthews adds a whole new dimension to the song.
             Unfortunately, some of the new songs seem to be a bit of a bore.  "Its only life" is one of these songs; with a Bryan Adams chord progression and lyrics such as "I call you on the telephone, wont you pick up the receiver", and "I've been down the very road you're on, it doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome", the song sounds like it was written for an emotional 7th grader.  These trite lyrics and predictable verses leave one to wonder if their old stuff was profound or if I was just young.
            After a few listens, the album does grow on you.  There are definitely tracks that mantain the band's good name, and although I can criticize other songs, it doesn't stop me from blasting them in my car.

Playlist of the Week #18

Hola,
I am very excited about this playlist.  I know I may have used some of these songs in previous playlists, I felt this one put them together nicely.  There isn't much of a cohesive genre, but if you listen to it through, it does work haha.  If you would like me to send you the songs or burn a disc let me know!  Most of all, enjoy!
-Cody

1.  What Am I Living For - The Animals
2.  Spill The Wine - Eric Burdon & War
3.  Hey Pocky A-Way - The Meters
4.  Wolfman's Brother - Phish
5.  Do What We Do - Portugal. The Man
6.  Don't Let It Pass - Junip
7.  The Amazing Sounds of Orgy - Radiohead
8.  The Eraser - Thom Yorke
9.  Do the Astral Plane - Flying Lotus
10.  True Affection - The Blow
11.  Smile - Telepopmusik
12.  Sinking Friendships - Jonsi
13.  Au Revoir - Seven Saturdays
14.  Haiti - Arcade Fire
15.  For 12 - Other Lives
16.  Beggar In The Morning - The Barr Brothers
17.  Slip Slidin' Away - Paul Simon
18.  Wind - Cat Stevens

Norah Jones Summer Tour

To accompany her upcoming album, Little Broken Hearts, Norah Jones recently announced a slew of arena dates.  If money and time allow, I hope not to miss this surely amazing show.

05/25 – Paris, FR @ Olympia Theater
05/26 – Frankfurt, DE @ Alte Opera
06/01 – London, UK @ Royal Festival Hall
06/02 – London, UK @ Royal Festival Hall
06/20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theater
06/22 – Memphis, TN @ Mud Island Amphitheater
06/23 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theater
06/24 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
06/27 – Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap
06/28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Man Center
06/29 – Rochester, NY @ Kodak Hall
07/01 – Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion
07/02 – Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre
07/03 – New York, NY @ Central Park SummerStage
07/06 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
07/07 – Montreal, QC @ Montreal Jazz Festival
07/14 – Lucca, IT @ Lucca Festival
07/16 – Luxembourg, LU @ Neumunster Abbey
07/17 – Hamburg, DE @ Stadtpark
07/19 – Rattvik, SE @ Dalhall
07/20 – Molde, NO @ Moldejazz Festival
07/22 – Pori, FL @ Pori Jazz Fest
08/07 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
08/08 – San Diego, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall
08/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
08/12 – Lake Tahoe, NV @ Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
08/15 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Amphitheater
08/17 – Portland, OR @ Edgefield Winery
08/18 – Seattle, WA @ Marymoor Amphitheater
08/21 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden
08/23 – Denver, CO @ Red Rocks