Sizzle & Fizzle: Highs and Lows from the Last Week in S.F. Music

Sizzle

Ashley Jordan Gordon

Lana Del Rey sounded good at Amoeba.

The world reels after the loss of Whitney

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More About

• Adele (Singer)
• Whitney Houston
• Karl Lagerfeld
• Music Awards
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

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• Controversial singer Lana Del Rey played a very crowded show at Amoeba Music — and despite her shaky live reputation, she sounded pretty darn good. Del Rey's presence onstage was unpretentious and easygoing, and she put the versatility of her voice on full display. The adoring teenagers in the crowd — several of whom cut school to get there early — loved it.

• How's this for album release parties: To celebrate Temple Beautiful, his new, S.F.-themed record, Chuck Prophet took fans and writers on a one-of-a-kind bus tour through the city's history. It all ended with a live performance that featured appearances from John Doe and Flamin' Groovies frontman Roy Loney. An amazing night.

• Lost in the Night got flashbacks to the city's late-'90s rave heyday at the seventh anniversary of Back 2 Back at Mighty. DJs Garth and Jeno seemed to play just the right track at the right time through the venue's legendary vintage soundsystem, and the effect was revelatory. Even the dancers were unusually great.

Fizzle

• The music world is mourning pop legend Whitney Houston, who passed away the night before the Grammy Awards in her Beverly Hilton hotel room. The cause hasn't yet been determined, but the death of Houston, 48, cast a pall over the Grammys. Houston had her share of drugs problems and troublesome behavior later in life, but her voice was unequaled. Her death was marked by numerous tributes: Christopher Owens, singer of S.F. band Girls, barely held back tears as he covered "I Will Always Love You" in Singapore. Rest in peace, Whitney.

• S.F.'s Dominant Legs had their van broken into while on tour in Portland, and lost two guitars, a bass, two computers, and one very treasured 1987 S.F. Giants sweatshirt. If you know anything, find their e-mail on our website and please get in touch.

• Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld called Adele fat. Which is stupid and absurd, because 1) She's beautiful, and she's an incredible singer, and 2) Lagerfeld himself used to be pretty lumpy around the middle, before he engaged in a crazy rich French person diet. We like Adele just the way she is, Karl.