Visual Art

SFMOMA’s ‘Field Conditions’ examines perception

Lebbeus Woods, Conflict Space 3, 2006; crayon and acrylic on linen; 74 x 120 in. (187.96 x 304.8 cm); Collection SFMOMA, purchase through a gift of anonymous donors and the Accessions Committee Fund; © Lebbeus Woods
Lebbeus Woods/Courtesy
Lebbeus Woods, Conflict Space 3, 2006; crayon and acrylic on linen; 74 x 120 in. (187.96 x 304.8 cm); Collection SFMOMA, purchase through a gift of anonymous donors and the Accessions Committee Fund; © Lebbeus Woods

The modern environment is akin to chaos. Cities are now nearly defined by the massive billboards and glaring lights that distort their buildings. According to architect Stan Allen’s essay “Field Conditions,” places that were once familiar, organized and definite no longer exist. Amid modernization and globalization, our established culture and Read More…

Album Reviews

thexxalbumcover copy

The xx: Coexist

Following the release of The xx’s debut album, xx, the band was swarmed with critical acclaim and immense popularity, leading to seemingly endless touring and spots in high-profile music festivals across the globe. After three long years, the band returns with Coexist, a follow-up album destined to be subject to Read More…

Album Reviews

Yeasayer_FragrantWorld

Yeasayer: Fragrant World

As a band, Yeasayer could be defined by little other than reinvention. From their first two releases, All Hour Cymbals and Odd Blood, the band has evolved each time. While their second album drew criticism for the band’s change from more psychedelic music to poppier sounds, Yeasayer has managed to Read More…

Concerts

(Ha Duong/Staff)

DIIV brings integrity to pop lineup at Rickshaw Stop

In this day and age, it’s easy to become cynical about music. With all the speed technology has granted us, our attention spans have consequently shortened, our patience dwindling to mere nothings. To cater to these allegedly short attention spans, it doesn’t seem like such a stretch to argue that Read More…

Album Reviews

twinshadowconfess

Twin Shadow: Confess

As Twin Shadow’s sophomore album, Confess, serves as a brilliant transition from his debut, Forget. Where that album fell flat, Confess succeeds; Twin Shadow’s George Lewis Jr. seems to have harnessed the ’80s sound so apparent in his previous work. Without sounding overly cheesy, Confess divulges the things anyone would Read More…

Album Reviews

diivoshin.capturedtracks

DIIV: Oshin

DIIV is more than just a band: it’s an idea. Despite forming less than a year ago, the shoegaze, dream pop band’s first release, Oshin, sounds nothing like a debut. This observation is astonishing, considering that the majority of the songs on the album were written during May of last Read More…

Concerts

Waterstrider (above) began at UC Berkeley's own Cloyne Court co-op where they still practice

Hospitality, UC Berkeley-based Waterstrider play Rickshaw Stop

Despite both being relatively new to the music industry, headliners Hospitality, recently signed to heavy-hitter Merge Records (Arcade Fire, Conor Oberst, Camera Obscura, etc.) and openers Waterstrider exhibited their strong musical artistry and immense potential last Thursday at the Rickshaw Stop, hosted by Popscene. However, potential should not be taken Read More…