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This Week in Le Rock: Feb 18 - 24

Spencer Williams — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:15:00 GMT

Thursday, popscene brings another great act to San Francisco, The Sessions. Hailing from Vancouver, these guys remind us of the Killers, the Bravery, and These Electric Lives. Friday, BAGeL RADIO presents San Francisco's own indie-rock band, Love is Chemicals. Not only a BAGeL RADIO party, it's also Love is Chemicals' CD release party. You can't go wrong with that combination.

The concert that we 100% recommend: Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile at The Independent. Chris Thile is a genius. Absolute genius. We were so upset that Nickel Creek called it quits and ended their farewell tour with Fiona Apple. (What a terrible idea!) It looks like he has redeemed himself, though. There will be two shows, one at 7pm and the other at 10pm. Punch Brother's new CD comes out February 26th.

Check the jump for full show listings...

New Tunes Tuesday #15

Spencer Williams — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Each Tuesday we will feature new music that should (or whatever) be on your radar.

Don't be fooled by the juvenile hand-writing or Crayola markers on the cover of this album. This is anything but juvenile. Each song Sia creates an emotional journey - sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorically - where she discovers something very important. The life-saving "Little Black Sandals" lets us see her struggle on starting a new life. She sings, "These little black sandals/Are walking me away/These little black sandals/Saved my life today." Sia travels back and forth between hopeful optimism and deep emotional betrayal. The heartfelt pleas in "The Girl" seem a bit shallow until you realize that the song is really called "The Girl [You Lost to Cocaine]." "No I don't need drama, so I'm walking away/Yeah I am a girl with a lot on her plate." Yikes.

In "You Have Been Loved" her lover walks away and she is left behind feeling empty: "Only sadness remains/And it will pass." This album ends up being emotionally-charged without being superficial and meaningless yet somehow it still remains upbeat. If you missed her last show at the Fillmore, it's okay, she's back in February (the 18th to be exact). Get your tickets now; it was nearly sold-out last time.

Download: "Day Too Soon" and "You Have Been Loved"

For more info on other CD releases, take the jump...

The Year in Albums: Looking Forward to 2008

Spencer Williams — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:25:00 GMT

A few of our favorite seasoned artists will release new works, along with new talent on the horizon that we're impatiently anticipating (even some local bands!), so check them out:

1. Sia, Some People Have Real Problems - (Monkey Puzzle Records/Hear Music) 1/8 - Only because we already have the CD and it's everything that we wanted it to be and much, much more. You can see Sia at the Fillmore on 2/18. She's a dynamic performer, plus she's super funny.

2. Madonna - title TBA, May- It's Madonna; we are always up for some new Madonna. Apparently Justin Timberlake collaborated with her on this effort. But he won't say a word about anything; he's afraid for his life.

3. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL), 1/29- Yes, most of this is being "re-released" but this time it's official. There's various releases on the internet - it seems that the band has released several different versions of their songs. So if you haven't found it on the Internets yet, then wait for the official release. It's worth it.

4. Death Cab For Cutie - title TBA (Atlantic), May- Death Cab for Cutie is one of our favorites. Plans got mixed reviews but we are being optimistic and hoping for something better. They are being rather tight-lipped about their upcoming release. You can watch this video to get a tiny idea of what it's about but if you get bored with that, then head over to their newly designed website. Pretty slick.

5. Kate Nash - Made of Bricks (Fiction), 1/8- We love this British songwriter to pieces. Singing about her trainers and shitty boyfriend in her new single, "Foundations" she instantly becomes witty, sarcastic and purely delightful. She's playing popscene on 1/12 and we've already got our tickets. Check out the remixed version of "Caroline's a Victim."

To read the rest of the list, take the jump...

New Tunes Tuesday #14

Spencer Williams — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:00:00 GMT

STANDOUTS:
1. Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street - Complete Edition Soundtrack: Though we aren't completely sold on the musical itself (we have only seen the new John Doyle production and it wasn't our favorite) we sorta have a crush on movie musicals. Plus, the movie will be as literal as you get which is very different from the recent metaphorical production that just came through San Francisco. It's Sondheim - we know he's brilliant but paired with the likes of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, we are hoping it becomes genius. You can win a pair of tickets to Thursday's screening here.

Picture courtesy of amazon.com

Contest: Sia @ Fillmore 10/25/07

Spencer Williams — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:45:00 GMT

If you fell in love with Sia when you were bawling your eyes out about the Fisher family then Thursday's night concert is for you.

Sia, our favorite Australian pop singer, is coming to the Fillmore this Thursday. We recently downloaded her newest EP, Lady Crossiant - a live recording from New York's Bowery Ballroom. There is also one new track, Pictures, that is worth listening to as well.

Breaking News Update: This tour is in support of her new album, "some people have REAL problems" which will be released in January. (YES!)

Take the jump to win tickets...