Everything CW

Twilight: New Moon

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:01:05 GMT

The second installment of the Twilight Saga: New Moon comes out today, and like an anxiously giddy fangirl, I bought my ticket a couple of weeks in advance for the midnight showing (as in late last night).

I did all of the necessary prep work, re-reading the book cover to cover, listening to the film’s soundtrack on non-stop repeat, and even putting aside the usual routine of watching my precious Vampire Diaries (sorry my TVD friends), all in order to get ready for what was to come.

With new director, Chris Weitz, at the helm and a bigger budget, New Moon has definitely taken on a different direction from its predecessor. Even with Bella moping around for most of the time, the tone is noticeably more upbeat and fun, with the film even daring to take a few funny jabs at itself. The visuals are bigger and better, standing out with colors that are more vibrant, grander scenery locales, and the inclusion of some stellar CGI effects.

What sticks out most about the New Moon novel is the absence of Edward Cullen. Although the character himself is not actually there for a good portion of the film, members of Team Edward will be delighted to hear that he has a constant presence as a stunningly looming apparition. You see, no need to fret, plenty of RPatz to go around!

As much as we love our beautiful bloodsuckers, this story was all about the rise of the werewolf. With Edward out of the picture, the blooming relationship between Bella Swan and recently-turned wolfman Jacob Black took front and center. I don’t want to get all nitpicky about what did or didn’t transpire between the book and film, but I can’t help but feel that the connection between the two BFFs wasn’t as strongly conveyed as it could’ve been. In the book, the bond between the two is built through a long series of special and tender moments, but I know with the limited time constraints, it’s kind of hard to include all of that. A little more time spent on that development would’ve gone a long way (plus, more of a shirtless Taylor Lautner wouldn’t have been half bad either).

If you’re a fan of the books and the previous Twilight film, you’ll probably end up loving this one, as well. For the most part, the final product stays true to the basics of the book.

From the nonchalant slow-mo struts to the half-naked chiseled bodies glistening in the rain (because let’s face it, that’s we came for), New Moon delivers on all the hot studly action to be expected and more.

The third chapter of the Twilight Series, the Eclipse movie, is scheduled to be released June 2010. Already looking forward to it!

Upcoming Shows: our recommendations

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:56:26 GMT

Listen up music fans, we’ve got the 411 about some great shows coming up:

A Fine Frenzy @ Great American Music Hall
You may not be very familiar with the name A Fine Frenzy, but chances are, you’ve heard their music. Their sparkling ballads have been featured all over the place from One Tree Hill to The Hills. A Fine Frenzy is fronted by the fiery and spunky redheaded singer/songwriter Alison Sudol, who has all the makings of a great artist. Not only did she teach herself how to play the piano, but she also has a strong love for fine literature, which emanates through her whimsical yet refined lyrics. Sudol & co. are ready to take the music world by storm with their sophomore release Bomb in a Birdcage. Catch A Fine Frenzy @ the Great American Music Hall on Thu, Nov 12, 8 PM. Tickets are available online here.
http://www.myspace.com/afinefrenzy

Peter Bjorn & John @ Great American Music Hall
We all best know the Swedish trio of Peter Morén, Björn Yttling, and John Eriksson for that one catchy whistling tune. Peter Bjorn & John (or as I like to call them, PB&J) bursted onto the scene with their ubiquitous hit “Young Folks,” which was featured everywhere from commercials, Gossip Girl, and was even sampled by the infamous “outburster” himself, Mr. Kanye West. The indie-rock imports, now in their tenth year, want to show that they’re not just some one-hit wonder. With their latest release Living Thing, PB&J are out to prove that they’re in it for the long run. Catch Peter Bjorn & John @ the Great American Music Hall on Thu/Fri, Nov 19/20, 9 PM. Tickets are available online here.
http://www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn

Support the Local Music Scene

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:45:58 GMT

The Bay Area music scene has always been a busy and bustling hotbed of incredibly diverse and unique new talents. Here are some of my favorite local acts that I feel are right on the verge of breaking out:

Audrye Sessions
Genre: Indie/Rock/Alternative
Sounds Like: Radiohead, Muse, Manchester Orchestra
http://www.myspace.com/audryesessions

Audrye Sessions, who describe their sound as having a "very Brit-rock feel like The Beatles meet Muse,” craft guitar-powered pop that blends brooding energy with lush arrangements and delicately tender vocals. The Oakland-based quartet got their start playing gigs at local coffeehouses, eventually becoming one of the Bay’s most recent buzzed-about bands, playing for Noise Pop and SxSw and opening for the Dandy Warhols and Louis XIV. Earlier this year, the group made the leap to major-label status, signing with Black Seal, and released their self-titled debut album. What’s most striking about this band is frontman Ryan Karazija’s voice. His wispy falsetto is so similar to that of Thom Yorke’s, it’s downright eerie.

Dizzy Balloon
Genre: Rock/Pop/Indie
Sounds Like: Queen, The Beatles, The Morning Benders
http://www.myspace.com/dizzyballoon

Dizzy Balloon (formerly known as Panda) is a five-piece pop group hailing from Piedmont. Their self-titled debut, which was released last year, features infectiously upbeat and punchy pop numbers that make you want to get up, clap your hands, and boogie down. These rowdy youngsters were barely juniors in high school when they began to gain popularity around the Bay Area, garnering steady airplay on KITS (Live 105) and packing venues, including Slim’s and Bottom of the Hill. They’ve become known for their high energy live shows and beat out over a hundred other Bay Area bands last year to win the opening spot for Not So Silent Night, sharing the stage with rock heavyweights such as The Killers, Bloc Party, and Franz Ferdinand. Catch them at the Rickshaw Stop in SF on November 28, and see all the Dizzy buzz for yourself.

LoveLikeFire
Genre: Indie/Rock/Pop
Sounds Like: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blonde Redhead, The Killers
http://www.myspace.com/lovelikefire

The San Francisco-based indie rock quartet know how to take initiative, forging a truly independent path of their own, without the aid of a label, as they independently released two EPS and promoted their music through a self-organized and self-financed national tour. The group was formed in 2006 when vocalist Anne Yu and drummer/keyboardist David Farwell met at a show playing in other bands, eventually teaming up with bassist Eric Amerman and guitarist Marty Mattern. Anne Yu’s hauntingly enticing vocals are set against a multi-layered wall of sound, similar to the style of Arcade Fire, that treads into darkly brooding territory, taking the listener to a rhythmic and artful trip through a dream-pop landscape. Recently, the group signed to Heist or Hit records and released their latest album Tear Ourselves Away in the UK, but I have a feeling soon enough they’re going to makes waves across the ocean here in the US.

Joshua Radin @ Great American Music Hall

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:54:20 GMT

Singer-songwriter Joshua Radin stopped by SF last night, along with the Watson Twins, to play a show at the Great American Music Hall. I was very curious to see how well he could translate his melancholy and subdued music into a live show. His performance was a delightful mix of honesty and humor. The candid singer-songwriter entertained the crowd by providing charming insight and commentary about his songs as he played them. With just him and acoustic guitar at-hand, Joshua Radin didn’t need much else to command the attention of the crowd. Radin’s sweetly stunning voice and emotionally open delivery easily captivated the audience, lulling them into a “pin-drop” hush and outright awe. If you missed it, check out his music at http://www.joshuaradin.com.

Yeah Yeah Yeah’s @ Fox Theater

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:40:58 GMT

Recently, I got the chance to check out my very first Yeah Yeah Yeah’s show at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Needless to say, I was blown away.

The NYC trio turned the Theater into one giant dance hall, getting those booties shaking and the floor quaking, as they played upbeat energizers like “Dull Life,” “Heads Will Roll,” and their latest single “Zero.” The band also showed their “soft side,” stirring the crowd with their emotional ballads, including “Soft Shock” and, of course, their breakthrough hit “Maps.”

Karen O came out looking as fierce as ever, with her neon orange glow-in-the-dark make-up, electric blue fish net stockings, and zebra-themed leotard with a mane-ish head-piece to boot. I just love Karen O’s sense of style. She shows that it’s not what you wear, but how you rock an outfit. She can wear a frickin’ potato sack, and still be sexy.

The rest of the gang played amazingly well, with guitarist Nick Zinner bringing on the distorted rhythms and drummer Brian Chase laying down the dynamic beats. During the whole time they were on stage, the band looked like they were genuinely having so much fun, making the concert that much more awesome!

The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s are just one of those bands that you have to see play live. This will have to go down as one of the best concerts I’ve been to… ever!

Fulfilling High Hopes

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:05:22 GMT

While a placement in the Top 5 was the end of Brooke White’s life-changing journey on “American Idol,” it opened the doors for a much greater dream to materialize. Almost exactly a year after trying out for the show, Brooke is in the next phase of a more-than-promising career.

“American Idol has definitely prepared me for what I’m doing now,” said the 26-year-old singer, mentioning that people involved with the show would often refer to it as the “Star Boot Camp.”

Though no longer under the scrutinizing eyes of Simon and co., the Idol Alum has had little time to chill out.

Brooke is currently touring for her brand new album, which was released on July 21. A diamond in the rough, High Hopes and Heartbreak captures the essence of the songstress’ raw talent without polishing her into something she’s not.

While she may have put down her Idol crutches, Brooke did not completely cut the chord—the album was executive produced by idol judge/ veteran producer Randy Jackson.

Describing her music as “organic,” the charming singer definitely stands out from a lot of the manufactured artists that dominate the industry these days. By staying true to her roots and principles, Brooke proves that charm and self-confidence are the key ingredients of success—just hours after debuting on iTunes, High Hopes and Heartbreak hit No. 1 on iTunes Pop Album Chart.

Brooke stopped by the CW on Monday and gave an acoustic rendition of her new single, “Radio Radio” (coincidentally my favorite track off the album). A feast for eyes and ears, the beautiful blonde strummed a catchy melody that transformed into a rapturous song about her greatest musical influence—the radio.

When considering how far Brooke White has come by staying true to herself, being eliminated from American Idol seems like an incredibly small price to pay.

San Francisco Hearts Gomez

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:30:04 GMT

When Gomez hit the stage in the City last night, it was like welcoming home old friends.

The Fillmore veterans performed at a packed venue, picking out some familiar faces in the sea of beaming concert goers. After all, 13 years of making fantastic music is enough time to accumulate a devoted fan, or two.

Last night, it seemed as though the British lads were playing for a whole concert hall full of adoring friends, many of whom have accompanied the band since the very beginning.

Emerging among a plethora of retro-pop bands, Gomez’ experimental and bluesy inspired rock was an unusual find in the scene. Their distinguished sound quickly garnered much critical acclaim, and their debut album earned the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 1998.

A New Tide is the guys’ sixth studio album, and the new tunes were well-received by the hollering crowd. But they did not stop there. Gomez also played some of their older material, which visibly pleased their fans—many of whom are sure to return to the band’s second show at the Fillmore tonight.

Energetic, humorous, and equipped with not one, but three front-men—Gomez proved that even after all this time, they can still keep a crowd dancing.

One Eskimo

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:32:14 GMT

When One Eskimo performs on stage, they're animated. Literally.

The UK band is made up of four adorable cartoon characters—an Eskimo, a giraffe, a monkey, and a guitar-playing penguin—who explore the world around them and create beautiful, melancholic beats along the way.

It’s just as dreamy as it sounds. “One Eskimo” is the brainchild of four delightful lads. They are absolutely fabulous, super chill, and would pick South Park over Family Guy any day (it must be those cultural references).

The boys performed alongside the legendary Tori Amos at the Paramount in Oakland on Monday, plucking lovingly at the heartstrings of their audience. Their sound is laid-back, mellow, and simple. If you’re into that, you’ll find it very easy to appreciate the honesty of their lyrics and the creativity that this band brings to the table.

While thinking up their cuddly alter egos was the easy part, animating an entire album was not. But One Eskimo had a vision, and they saw it through—and now, the animation is stealing their spotlight on stage. A fixture at the back of the stage, Eskimo and co. are projected into their fantasy world, while the men behind it all step into the foreground.

One Eskimo is the perfect blend of music and technology—and seeing them perform is an awesome experience!

http://www.myspace.com/oneeskimo

Making Music For Humanity

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:08:43 GMT

With a 50-year presence in the music business and over 30 recorded albums, Joan Baez’s musical significance is undisputable. But Baez’s musical inspiration was not fueled by record sales—the singer used her sweet voice and poignant lyrics to promote change.

The majority of Baez’s music deals with nearly five decades worth of social issues. Baez first blossomed as a leading figure in the 60’s counter-revolution. Young, passionate, and talented, her voice defined an era of civil and human rights struggles, and the young folk singer soon found herself the cover of Time magazine.

Baez’s musical career was put on hold when she realized that she could use her stardom to promote her political beliefs. After publicly urging President Johnson to withdraw troops from Vietnam, receiving death threats for marching with Martin Luther King Jr., standing in the fields with Cesar Chavez, countless protests against human rights violations, and being jailed numerous times—Baez’s legacy in political activism is both inspirational and unmatched.

This folk legend will be performing along side the San Francisco-based band “Blame Sally” this Sunday, June 12!

There’s absolutely no excuse for missing out on this one! J

When: Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Ave. & Sloat, San Francisco

Bears on the Loose!

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:41:15 GMT

“Grizzly Bear” ambushed the stage at the Fillmore last night—turning their sold-out show into a wild circus performance.

As the main attraction, the furry quartet delivered a roaring listening experience that left the entire audience mesmerized.

According to reports, fans were so in awe of the scruffy guys that they did not leave the venue, even long after the band had finished its set. Man, I wish I woulda been there.

Although those present would agree that last night’s show was utterly fulfilling, the Brooklyn-based band is still hungry—and tonight they’ll be back for more.

Expect to hear clean guitar work, soaring harmonies and rich vocals that make up the unique sounds of the band’s critically acclaimed third album, “Veckatimest.”

Catch a glimpse of “Grizzly Bear” at the Fillmore tonight—before the foursome goes back into hibernation!

http://www.grizzly-bear.net/