Archive for August, 2006

The Administration preview

The Administration
Silvie’s Lounge, Chicago
Sunday, September 3, 2006
Live! Tonight! Rock critic!

Readers Poll

2006 CLUB GUIDE READER’S POLL
Just what is it that you do when you’re not here? In so many words, that’s what we’re after with our Club Guide Reader’s Poll. Where do you drink? Who has the best sound? We’ll print the results in the November issue. America! Democracy! We vote, eh?

Foo Fighters Live!

Foo Fighters
Auditorium Theatre, Chicago
Friday, August 25, 2006
Dave Grohl has unplugged before, and as with Friday, veteran punk guitarist Pat Smear was onstage with him. But for Foo Fighters’ intimate performance at Auditorium Theatre in support of the acoustic half of last fall’s In Your Honor, he didn’t allow it to affect his rock show.

Assassins Live!

Assassins
Schubas, Chicago
Saturday, August 26, 2006
While Assassins have played here and there over the past three years, Saturday’s two sets at Schubas was part of a new concept to them– performing in support of an album available for public consumption.

Joan Of Arc, Owen Preview

Joan Of Arc, Owen
Beat Kitchen, Chicago
Thursday, August 31, 2006

Joan Of Arc have long been the whipping boys of Chicago’s normally embracing experimental rock scene. Pitchfork once handed them a 1.9 (no album has garnered more than a 5.3) and the Chicago Tribune backhanded them by bringing it up in an article about Pitchfork.

Gosling Preview

Gosling
Schubas, Chicago
Friday, September 1, 2006
‘Twas a time when a band called Loudermilk trolled the shores of southern Washington state, later to grind out tours with Mötley Crüe and Megadeth. But luck has never been on their side.

Men Women & Children Preview

Men Women & Children
House Of Blues, Chicago
Saturday, September 2, 2006
“You don’t need a reason to get on the dance floor,”Men Women & Children vocalist TJ Penzone insists during “Dance In My Blood,”the first song on MWC’s self-titled Reprise debut. Maybe he’s right, but his band provide pretty good reason anyway.

Simon Dawes Preview

Simon Dawes
Metro, Chicago
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
These young ‘uns sound years beyond what their ages claim.

Christina Aguilera Reviewed

Christina Aguilera
Back To Basics
(RCA)
It would take an artist as complex as Christina Aguilera to record a double album and call it Back To Basics.

Voicst Reviewed

Voicst
11:11
(Intrigue)

Taking their name from South African slang for “manic energy,” Holland’s Voicst release their Stateside debut.

Stefy Reviewed

Stefy
The Orange Album
(Wind Up)
Sleaze-pop hopeful Stefy Rae does the right thing.

Goat Reviewed

Goat
Twisted Heart
(Engine Room)
Still early in his career, Goat, aka Anthony Rosen, is on the slow track to becoming a Bruce Cockburn.

Broadcast Reviewed

Broadcast
Future Crayon
(Warp)
B-sides and rarities compilatiton from underrated, cinematic electronic quintet.

Liam Singer Reviewed

Liam Singer
Our Secret Lies Beneath The Creek
(Tell-All)
While this collection would surely be more intriguing had The Creek meant the actor, Liam Singer’s post rocking of classical music will do.

The Colour Reviewed

The Colour
Devil’s Got A Holda Me
(Rethink)
The British spelling “colour” has occupied more bandnames than merits mention, and this Los Angeles band don’t clarify the matter.