Amoeba Music

We normally publish our new Music We Like book of staff recommendations in April, but the coronavirus had other plans! Although physical copies of the book will not be available this year, you can still download a .PDF copy of our Spring/Summer 2020 book and check out hundreds of music & movie picks from our super knowledgeable and passionate staff.

The theme of this book is “celebrate” (which was chosen back in January) and although that seems a little out of whack right this second, we know that when we see you all again in person, it will feel like a celebration. It’s hard to believe we’ve been putting out these books for 20 years now. The first one came out before the Hollywood store even opened but we’ve been cranking ‘em out ever since and hope to keep doing so!

Here is a sampling of picks from the book:

Angel Olsen – All Mirrors (Jagjaguwar)

Angel Olsen reaches her final form on 2019 masterpiece All Mirrors. The artist takes her impeccable songwriting to a new level by adding lush string arrangements. Rumor has it there is an acoustic version in the works, which will no doubt be equally amazing. For fans of Sharon van Etten, Mitski, and strings. -- Eli, Hollywood

John Coltrane – Blue World (Verve)

Lots of cuts here that were the original first versions, like “Naima,” “Like Sonny,” etc, but had sat on a shelf because these were made for a film, but this LP never came out as an LP, hard to believe; maybe film people don’t value original Coltrane tapes! Differing mixes only slightly, but the cats at Universal have a gold mine here! The other “original” cuts have looser playing but these are super special because the mixes just seem to slide together tightly; alas, film people and jazz music. Now that La La Land was a hit, the timing that they were forgotten/ stolen / stashed / sold , is / was / could have been a big mistake, and here we are with a film about jazz music. No, but yeah, but no, but yeah, but no but yeah but no but... -- Rick Frystak, Hollywood

The Springfields – Singles 1986-1991 (Slumberland)

No-brainer must-have collection of singles from this quintessential Sarah Records band and late ’80s indie-pop ambassadors to the US. Heavy Byrds influenced 12-string brilliance defines these tracks, but a healthy dose of Midwestern power pop à la Shoes finds its way into the jangle. Anyone with even a passing interest in indie-pop needs this record.  -- Thomas, San Francisco
 

The Last Black Man In San Francisco – Directed by Joe Talbot

A stunning, dreamlike movie based on writer/star Jimmie Fails IV’s family story. Jimmie and his best friend Montgomery (“Mont”) have such a unique friendship, and Jonathan Majors gives a beautifully nuanced performance as Mont. Montgomery’s play is one of the most special things I’ve seen in a long time. Danny Glover is so poignant and tender as Mont’s grandfather, and all of the cameos are gold: Tichina Arnold, Rob Morgan, Mike Epps, Jello Biafra, Daewon Song, Jamal Trulove, San Quinn, Thora Birch, etc. I would have loved this movie if it was about somebody else’s hometown, and even if Talbot had not gone to my alma mater. But it is, and he did (SOTA represent!). It can be hard to convey to newcomers and outsiders what a special place SF was, and still is, in the spaces where us real folks live, and struggle, and dream, and create. Thank you Joe and Jimmie, for a film that shares just that. -- Shona, San Francisco

Parasite – Directed by Bong Joon Ho

This Korean thriller is easily the best film of the year. It’s commentary on class struggle and strata is impeccable. As is its razor sharp script. The desperate circumstances of poverty, and the wealthy detachment from reality and hardship that rich people live in are brilliantly betrayed by Bong Joon Ho. No spoilers here. I’ll just say this movie has a twist you genuinely won’t see coming. YOU MUST SEE THIS FILM! -- Mezzadeth, Hollywood

Download our Spring/Summer 2020 Music We Like Book here.