Aidin Vaziri | Interviews, Reviews and More: June 2009

29 June 2009

Michael Jackson: The Music That Made Him King

Michael Jackson's top 10 albums: Aidin Vaziri | It's tough to separate the man from the music but there's no way anyone could have collected so much platinum, broken so many records and stepped off the planet having sold out 50 concerts at London's O2 arena without making an album like "Thriller." As the years wear on, the eccentricities and allegations will probably look quaint, but Michael Jackson's music will only grow in stature. Here's a critical look at his best work. Continue reading.

26 June 2009

Review: Wilco, 'Wilco (The Album)'

Wilco, 'Wilco (The Album)': Aidin Vaziri | Even on his band's seventh studio album, Jeff Tweedy is feeling restless. After making it through more than a decade of personnel shakeups, addiction to painkillers and general industry baloney, the only thing the front man hasn't sorted out at this point is what Wilco is supposed to sound like. Fortunately, his songs are generally so engaging it hardly matters. The Chicago group's new self-titled set is an endearing mess, veering from the goofy, satin-jacketed pop of "Wilco (the Song)" to the blinkered six-minute jam "Bull Black Nova" - a clear descendant of live favorite "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" - before easing back into more familiar terrain with emotive late-night meditations such as "One Wing" and "Country Disappeared." If it's not quite as indispensable as some of the band's earlier releases - out of a trim 11 tracks, at least two feel like straight-up throwaways - Tweedy still makes a compelling case for adding an album with a camel in a party hat on its cover to your collection.

Pop Quiz: The B-52s

Aidin Vaziri | Do not play the B-52s in a crowded room unless you want everybody to start taking off their tops and swinging from the light fixtures. Even after 30 years in the business, the big-haired pop group is cranking out high-velocity party jams, as evidenced by its most recent release, "Funplex." The quartet plays Tuesday at the Mountain Winery Amphitheater in Saratoga, marking the official arrival of summer. We spoke with vocalist Cindy Wilson by phone the day after the B-52s appeared on the CMT Music Awards with fellow Georgia band Sugarland.

Cindy Wilson of The B-52s
Q: Those early songs are so amazing. I just listened to "Give Me Back My Man" 1,283,771 times in a row.
A: It holds up. That song really has potential to take off. I have a good time doing "Give Me Back My Man." Keith Strickland can really fly on the guitar.
Q: Do you know "Love Shack" officially gets played at every wedding ever?
A: It's such a badge. At the same time it makes us not as cool.
Q: Are you still worried about being cool?
A: I never was, obviously. If I was trying to be cool I wouldn't get anything done. We were cool in our own cool kingdom. We were more punk, trying to shock and entertain ourselves. Continue reading.

Michael Jackson: He Wasn't Like Other Guys

Michael Jackson: talented, troubled voice of pop: Aidin Vaziri | The death of Michael Jackson brought a tragic end to a long, turbulent and often bizarre career, marked by legal and financial problems, charges of child molestation and failed comeback attempts. At times, it seemed as though everything Mr. Jackson did became fodder for the media, from his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, to the photograph of him dangling one of his children over a balcony, to his plastic surgeries. Continue reading.

Live Review: Elvis Costello at Amoeba

Costello pays a visit to Amoeba: Aidin Vaziri | Elvis Costello looked the part when he arrived at the San Francisco Amoeba store for a free concert on Monday to push his new country album, "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane." With mandolin player Mike Compton on one side and bluegrass guitarist Jim Lauderdale on the other, the 54-year-old English singer-songwriter wore a slight wisp of a mustache, sideburns and gold-framed sunglasses - the kind typically sported by the other Elvis. Shortly before noon, the hundreds of people who had been waiting in a line that snaked around the block filed into the far reaches of the Haight Street record store. There were so many people that even the staff was taken aback. "I've never seen so many people turn out for an in-store," said Amoeba's co-owner David Prinz. "Especially on a workday." Continue reading.

23 June 2009

Pop Quiz: Phoenix

Aidin Vaziri | In just over half an hour, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," the excellent new album by the four Frenchmen who form Phoenix, provides all the streamlined pop music you could possibly need to get through the summer. The group is probably best known here for its frequent appearances on Sofia Coppola's movie soundtracks (the group's singer Thomas Mars is her boyfriend and father of her child), but after a triumphant appearance on "Saturday Night Live" this year and a pair of irresistible singles, "1901" and "Lisztomania," all the hard work that went into making the new disc could pay off big time.

Christian Mazzalai of Phoenix
Q: Did you spend a long time working on this CD?
A: We saw two winters. Two summers. Two falls.
Q: Whoa. That's like five years. You were doing stuff the whole time?
A: Every day. No vacation. When we're writing music, there's not time for holiday. We don't go out at all. We are just into the music. Otherwise nothing happens.
Q: Do you usually go in and just do the songs you need, or do you write a billion things and then narrow it down later over a glass of wine?
A: It depends. On each album it's a totally different way of writing and producing. For this one, we wrote a thousand pieces of music.
Q: hat's not even possible because there are only 32 songs in the whole world.
A: It was really a thousand pieces. We counted. It was on our iTunes. I will show you my computer. Continue reading.

Review: Jonas Brothers, 'Lines, Vines and Trying Times'

Jonas Brothers, 'Lines, Vines and Trying Times': Aidin Vaziri | The Jonas Brothers have lived their whole lives with the explicit goal of becoming famous, and now that they've conquered countless bedroom walls, locker doors and cell phone screens, they won't stop bitching about it. "I'm caught in a nightmare/ Can't wake up/ If you hear my cry running through the streets/ I'm about to freak," sings one of the brothers, whose name I don't remember because I'm not an 11-year-old girl. As you might have guessed, the title of the Disney-endorsed trio's fourth album isn't about the joys of inhaling cocaine and swinging from chandeliers but rather the terrible inconveniences that come from staying at four-star hotels while adoring fans ask for autographs and photographers take your picture. The faintly charismatic Jonas Brothers are certainly in a position to comment on the suffocating effects of all-consuming popularity, but here it feels as if they're complaining only because that's what they think they're supposed to do. Continue reading.

Breaking: Sleepy Sun

Sleepy Sun soaking up the rays of fans' love: Aidin Vaziri | Bret Constantino hasn't had a roof over his head in some time, and for good reason. The Sleepy Sun front man and his band have spent most of the year crisscrossing Europe, where their sludgy psychedelic rock has found an unexpectedly sizable following thanks to a series of buzz-worthy club shows and festival appearances. "We're never home more than three weeks at a time," he said during a brief Bay Area stopover earlier this week. "Fortunately, when we come back I have enough good friends that are willing to put up with me on their couches." Continue reading.

Pop Quiz: Les Claypool

Aidin Vaziri | Les Claypool has already fronted a couple of bands, started his own record label, authored a book, made a jam-band mockumentary, spawned two children, written the theme song for "South Park" and started a thriving solo career. So it's only appropriate that his latest album, "Of Fungi and Foe," arrives at the same the famed Primus bassist ventures into new territory, namely playing a deranged preacher in the horror movie "Pig Hunt," scoring the video game "Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars" and introducing the wine label Claypool Cellars.

Les Claypool
Q: How did you get roped into doing a movie with a 3,000-pound mechanical pig?
A: I think my question to you is, how could anyone on the planet turn down the opportunity to do a movie with a 3,000-pound mechanical pig? I'm bummed I didn't get eaten by the pig, which was the way it was originally written. But I had to go on tour, so I got shot instead.
Q: That sounds painful.
A: The film business is tough. The first day of shooting I broke my pinky. I had green and purple bruises on my chest. This necklace I was wearing got blown to pieces. The worst thing about it was we were having a hard time getting me on the set because I was touring and we finally settled on a couple of days we could be there and I got a call from Tom Waits to play bass with him on Conan O'Brien. I had to say no to Tom.
Q: There has to be some kind of moral here.
A: Yeah. It's don't say no to Tom. Continue reading.

Rock History at The Old Mint

Treasure trove of S.F. rock relics at Old Mint: Aidin Vaziri | As Katherine York, the enthusiastic archivist for Wolfgang's Vault, offered a sneak peek at the ephemera from the Bill Graham collection that will be on display for a rare public exhibition at the Old Mint Building for just a few days this week, she couldn't help resorting to hyperbole. "This is the history of San Francisco music," she said. York pointed out posters for Led Zeppelin's first San Francisco appearance, opening for Country Joe and the Fish, and the Sex Pistols' last. "It's not just the history of the performers," she said. "It's the history of the venues. It's the history of the promoters. It's the history of the artists." Continue reading.

07 June 2009

On Tour, Coldplay Gives It Away

Aidin Vaziri | Coldplay is back on the road this summer on the final leg of its huge "Viva La Vida" tour. Just days before the group landed in America last month, singer Chris Martin gave us a call to talk confetti butterflies, stage fright and the totally bonkers idea to give everyone who attends the shows a free copy of a new live album, "LeftRightLeftRightLeft."

Chris Martin on Coldplay's freebies
Q: You've been on the road quite a lot this year. Are you just trying to avoid the family?
A: I'm glad you started with an easy question. From the very beginning of my life, people have always enjoyed it when I was around for a couple of days at a time. So, I think, most people in touring bands are best in small doses. That's why we turn up in a town, play and then we leave before anyone can get sick of us.
Q: How many confetti butterflies have you gone through on this tour?
A: Well, I've got to say it's up in the millions. It's a tough dilemma. We're not unaware that it's a little untidy, but we also think it looks incredible. I don't know. You can call me out on that if you like.
Q: Do you still get stage fright?
A: Sometimes I get it within a concert if a particular person's expression catches me. For example, if I see a guy with his arms folded looking a bit bored, then I get nervous. Only for an instant and then it comes right back. The problem is it's often my dad. Continue reading.

The Ulitmate 2009 Summer Concert Guide

The Chronicle's awesome summer concert guide: Aidin Vaziri | Break out the sunscreen and earplugs. From tiny clubs to enormous outdoor amphitheaters, our guide to the summer's major concerts, festivals and reunions promises a lot of sleepless nights over the next three months. Including Grizzly Bear, Wilco, No Doubt, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Jonas Brothers, Depeche Mode, Green Day and more. Continue reading.

Pop Quiz: Evan Dando of the Lemonheads

Aidin Vaziri | Having gone from People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive to one of indie rock's biggest screw-ups in just a few short years, Evan Dando has understandably kept a low profile since the Lemonheads' early '90s heyday. After returning with a solo album in 2006, Dando has reclaimed the band name for a new album of covers called "Varshons," which features the sleepy-eyed singer taking on songs by GG Allin, Wire, Leonard Cohen, Christina Aguilera and Arling & Cameron. The disc, co-produced by the Butthole Surfers' Gibby Haynes, also features guest spots by actress Liv Tyler and model Kate Moss.

Evan Dando of the Lemonheads
Q: Did you used to make mix tapes for girls?
A: Always. That was always the first step to wooing a girl. If you draw a drawing on a cassette and go the whole hog and everything. But you better make sure you like the girl because it's a very powerful medium.
Q: It must have worked because you got Liv Tyler and Kate Moss to sing on your album.
A: Gibby and I have both been friends with Kate for a long time, so he got her to come in and do the vocals. Liv did a B-side on my solo record, and when it came out she called me and asked why I put it on the B-side, so I told her she would be on the next album I made.
Q: So you're doing cover songs and hanging out with supermodels. It's like 1993 all over again, isn't it?
A: I don't mind reinforcing that. It doesn't matter what people think if you're having fun with what you do. There's no salvaging possible for me, so I'm just going to do what I want to now. Continue reading.

Review: Paolo Nutini, 'Sunny Side Up'

Paolo Nutini, 'Sunny Side Up': Aidin Vaziri | Paolo Nutini sounded remarkably ripe for 19 when he released the soulful "These Streets" two years ago. Now his youth is beginning to show. "Sunny Side Up" is a restless, confused CD that sees the gravel-voiced Scottish singer-songwriter step - maybe even bolt - away from the mild-mannered, late-night musings of his first outing in favor of ska, reggae and cod swamp blues. Opener "Ten Out of Ten" sounds like a pale imitation of Bob Marley's early work, and on "Pencil Full of Lead" Nutini makes like Louis Prima, putting on a ridiculous accent and singing, "Nothing's going to bring me down!" A few tunes revive the endearing intimacy of his previous release - namely "Tricks of the Trade," "Candy" and "Growing Up Beside You" - but in his haste to shed any comparisons to James Blunt, Nutini has thrown off most of the things that set him apart and helped him sell 2.3 million albums. Despite a clutch of lovely melodies, "Sunny Side Up" is too grating to endure. Even fans will find their patience slipping as Nutini's lack of direction takes full hold.

Live Review: Gavin Rossdale at the Fillmore

Gavin Rossdale flies solo: Aidin Vaziri | It didn't take long for Gavin Rossdale to fall back on the Bush catalog at the Fillmore. Three songs into his set Tuesday, he hauled out "Machinehead," one of the many hits that helped his former band fill amphitheaters just a decade ago. Now a solo artist better known as Gwen Stefani's spouse, he's entertaining far more manageable crowds than either Bush or No Doubt. The venue was maybe half full when the 41-year-old singer took the stage just after 10 p.m. - considerably less so by the time he relinquished it nearly two hours later. That's the problem with making rock music with such broad strokes: You either end up selling billions of albums to people who don't mind your brand of hand-me-down grunge or diving headfirst into an audience that's far too thin to catch your fall. Continue reading.

Pop Quiz: Herb Alpert and Lani Hall

Aidin Vaziri | After 30 years of blissful marriage, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall are risking it all by hitting the road together in anticipation of their new jazz album, "Anything Goes," out this fall. Hall was the lead singer for Sergio Mendes' chart-topping bossa nova group, Brasil '66. Alpert is an iconic trumpet player who spent years as the leader of the Tijuana Brass and as a solo artist, winning seven Grammys and selling 75 million albums. He also was the head of A&M Records before venturing into a side career in fine art.

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall
Q: The last time you guys sang together in public wasn't Miss Piggy involved?
Hall: Oh, God. Wasn't that cute? You know, that was the first time that character was introduced to the public. But we've done a lot together since then. Herb produced most of my solo albums. I've come out onstage and done two or three numbers with him whenever he was on tour. Herb is a fine artist. He's had shows all over the world. We felt it was time now to do something we hadn't done before. One was perform together and to do jazz.
Q: And you still like each other?
Alpert: More than like. It's more like love. Continue reading.

05 June 2009

Review: Dave Matthews Band

Dave Matthews Band, 'Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King': Aidin Vaziri | The sudden death of saxophonist LeRoi Moore has had a transformative effect on the Dave Matthews Band. The group was well past the point of complacency when the band's founding member died from injuries he sustained in an ATV accident last summer. But on their new album, produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance), the surviving musicians charge back with their most raucous and emotional set of music since their early '90s heyday, veering from horn-infused rockers such as "Shake Me Like a Monkey" to unexpectedly tender passages such as "Lying in the Hands of God." The propulsive single "Funny the Way It Is" is the kind of song that can win back fans who long ago wrote them off for Wilco, while "Alligator Pie" shows that the tragedy hasn't robbed the band of its celebratory spirit. In a weird way, it's never sounded more alive.