Amoeblog

Walrus Day, 2012!

Posted by Job O Brother, October 8, 2012 08:31am | Post a Comment
walrus day
HAPPY WALRUS DAY, EARTHLINGS!

Kiss someone handsome, eat something tastier than it is healthy, learn a new word that will impress your enemies, crank up the song that makes you feel you could conquer the world, wear the shirt you wear to get stares, call out sick for work or school or meetings or anything that will force you to suffer fools gladly, cure cancer in a way that looks dashing, invent a new flavor of joy, define an as-yet unrecognized sexuality, surprise a loved one with something so sweet and spontaneous it makes them a little suspicious of you, walk around with a balloon (or if you're like me and you hate balloons pop every one you see), get drunk with your best friend and exchange secrets you never thought you'd tell, scream for ice cream, do not follow your diet or exercise routine (unless you're one of those freaky people that likes to exercise), avoid apathy, crack yourself up, tickle your fancy until it pees.

People Get Ready! My Picks for Record Store Day 2012

Posted by Kelly S. Osato, April 19, 2012 12:23pm | Post a Comment
bye bye birdie musical record store day 2012 shopping spree frenzy
All the hype leading up to Record Store Day 2012 is beginning to resemble a giddy night-before-Christmas-ish itch. Thankfully it's on the brink of being scratchable what with the big to-do coming up this Saturday, April 21st. And let me tell you: it's going to be a frenzy! I've put together a little list of titles I'm looking out for - don't forget to compile your own and head on down as early as you can Saturday morning to ensure getting your paws on your prizes. Get more news about the super duper limited Record Store Day releases available at Amoeba Music here, see a full listing of our Record Store Day events here, and check out the winning entries of our first ever Record Store Day t-shirt design contest here, they're so boss!

As for me, my number one pick of the Record Store Day 2012 releases is (drumroll, please):

mynah boirds it's my time record store day 2012 rick james neil young
The Mynah Birds
"It's My Time" b/w "Go On and Cry"

How about a little oldies for your soul courtesy of Messrs Rick James (before he was Rick James, bitch) and Neil Young (way before the Harvest) recorded circa 1966 only to be shelved indefinitely by Motown due to James AWOL U.S. Navy status and subsequent arrest. The remaining Mynah Birds went on to found Buffalo Springfield and play in Steppenwolf. All that rock 'n' roll history aside, this solid single made by some young dudes before superstardom carved them anew is a must have for my collection. Oh, yes - it will be mine!
other noteworthy selections (that, purportedly, do NOT include DNA evidence of their makers) are:


Hip-Hop Rap-Up, Week Ending 02.17.12: Wiz + Snoop's 420 Soundtrack, Bambaataa Blvd.?, Planet Asia's "Black Belt Theatre," G Maly's Jeremy Lin Rap, Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun

Posted by Billyjam, February 18, 2012 09:48am | Post a Comment
  Amoeba Music San Francisco Hip-Hop Top Five Week Ending 02:18:12

1) The Roots Undun (MCA)

2) Common The Dreamer, The Believer (Warner)

3) Drake Take Care (Cash Money/Universal)

4) Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa  Mac & Devin Go to High School (Atlantic)

5) Wax Tailor Tales of The Forgotten Melodies (Le Plan Music/Decon)

Even though there are lots of new 2012 hip-hop releases dropping as we get further into this new year
there are still many late 2011 releases still selling and charting well at Amoeba San Francisco including recommended  The Roots' recommended  Undun on MCA, Chicago emcee/actor Common's latest album on Warner Brothers The Dreamer, The Believer, and the unstoppably popular Drake's latest/second album Take Care (Cash Money/Universal). The other two releases on this week's Hip-Hop Top Five from the Haight Street Amoeba are the new Wiz/Snoop movie soundtrack (another late 2011 release), and Wax Tailor's album Tales of The Forgotten Melodies which is a much older, albeit amazing, release from the French producer/turntablist. Born Jean-Christophe Le Saoût Wax Tailor has a gift, through his unique layering of sounds and samples and turntable manipulations, of creating these incredible moods. This album was first released in France in 2005 and later picked up in the States by Decon.

In what could easily be called the ultimate stoner duo, two of hip-hop's most outspoken weed advocates (one an OG and one a relative newcomer) Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa team up on the new album Mac & Devin Go to High School on Atlantic which is a soundtrack to the movie that they both star in. or rather it is technically a companion piece to the film with music from and inspired by the movie of the same name in which the two tokers go to High School (think How High - the 2001 stoner comedy film with Method Man and Redman). If you can't believe you somehow missed seeing this new film listed at your local movie theater, you didn't as this is a straight to DVD movie. Meanwhile this soundtrack is a real broad mix of various hip-hop styles that should appeal to fans of both artists. For the twelve track album, which features such party tracks as "Smokin On," "You Can Put It in a Zag, I'mma Put It in a Blunt," and the ever-popular "Young, Wild, and Free (feat Bruno Mars)" that preceded the album's release (video below), Wiz and Snoop have inducted about ten different producers to supply their richly diverse backdrop of beats which, truth be told, is the album's highlight. These producers include Warren G, Jake One, Exile, Drumma Boy, and Cardo. 

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"It's the MOST... Blackhistorymonthy tiiime of the yeeear...!"

Posted by Job O Brother, January 31, 2010 10:45am | Post a Comment
bessie smithbeyonce

I know what you’re thinking: How can it be that it’s Black History Month again, already? It seems to come up faster with each passing year. No sooner do I finish cleaning up all the gift wrap and decorations from 2009’s BHM festivities when – BAM! – time to break ‘em out again for 2010.

But I am excited! I love draping my house in the traditional BHM crushed-velvet flour sacks, heated bear skins, and twinkling, sapphire, mailboxes. We gather together around the hot oil printing press and sing BHM carols, get tipsy on Pancake-Sausage Nog, and remind each other, with love in our hearts, not to forget to turn off the air conditioner before leaving the house. Oh, joy! Oh sweet, unmitigated joy!

Of all these rituals, my favorite is the singing of the carols. I thought I’d share some of them with you, and invite you to sing along with me! Just click on a song below and belt one out. If you’re at work, or reading this on your iPhone while standing in the check-out line at Trader Joe’s, or simultaneously looking at Internet porn (way to multi-task!) – no matter! Sing all the louder! Let everyone know: You’re Black and You’re Proud!

A Year in the Life of Amoeba Berkeley

Posted by The Bay Area Crew, December 31, 2008 05:33pm | Post a Comment
Over at Amoeba Music Berkeley, 2008 has been a year full of thrilling instores and special events. Keep reading to check out about some of the hand-picked highlights:

In February, hyperactive punk band the Black Lips stopped by for an energetic instore appearance. You can see all the pictures from this event on our website here. You can also watch an interview and performance from their Amoeba Hollywood appearance right here.
black lips at amoeba

February also saw an instore by Bay Area favorites the Drive By Truckers, who brought a little twang to the Berkeley store on Valentine's Day.

drive by truckers at amoeba

In honor of Record Store Day at the Berkeley store, Pam the Funkstress of The Coup brought it on the ones and twos, several other DJs had sets and gift certificate giveaways occured throughout the day.

pam the funkstress of the coup

In the Spring, the store was treated to the pastoral, golden-toned sounds of local faves Vetiver. You can check out an exclusive interview with frontman Andy Cabic right here and see more pictures from the show here!