Archive for November, 2006
Reggae Rebel Gal
Rebelution: A Movement Of Truth Without Denial Or Regret may sound like the latest political soundbite, but it’s actually the title of the most foundation-shaking Jamaican dancehall album in the last decade. The fact the CD addresses touchy topics never explored within the genre warrants acknowledgement alone, but the fact a woman dares do [...]
Local CD Reviews
The four songs on The Accord’s demo swing between reggae beats and prog/ethereal yearnings – oft’ times within the same cut – with a “recorded live” sound that further reinforces the band’s integrity. Playing (keyboards especially) far outshines songwriting, however, primarily because the melodies too strongly bring other artists’ tunes to mind and some lyrical [...]
Around Hear Page 2
Few And The Proud are nothing if not loud. So much so their angry, curse-laden lyrics belted out with fervor on such songs as “Let It Die” and “Mutant” are little more than senseless rants raging against a hardcore wall of sound. With a total running time of just more than 22 minutes, the 11 [...]
Around Hear Page 3
Alisa Simms‘ Remember consists of the title track plus two remixes. The original is a mix of simple keys, drums, minimal guitar, and some nice string touches near the end, keeping the spotlight on Simms’ warm, silky vocals. The second, “Remixber,” has a little more percussion in its groove. The final, “Reminder Drum ‘N’ Bass [...]
Wilco live!
Wilco
Auditorium Theatre, Chicago
Friday, November 24, 2006
Wilco play Chicago so frequently it’s easy to arrive at a show with expectations, have them met, and swish-swash your corudroy’d ass back to the North Side. Throw in last year’s live album, this fall’s Jeff Tweedy live DVD, and the coming second album from Pat Sansone and John Stirratt’s [...]
Tenacious D live!
Tenacious D
UIC Pavilion, Chicago
Friday, November 24, 2006
Click here for Tenacious D Photo Gallery
Say what you will about Jack Black, the one thing he’s not looking for is work. With two films in theaters during the holidays, you won’t have to look far to get your Black fix.
Alexis Gideon previewed
Alexis Gideon
Reversible Eye Gallery, Chicago
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Meet Alexis Gideon. Possibly the most schizo motherfucker making music today. You might remember Gideon as one half of Chicago bizarre cross dressing rap duo Princess, and if you do, you likely don’t think his solo project, Welcome Song (Sick Room, January 9th), could possibly be any stranger. [...]
Sonya Kitchell, Ben Taylor reviewed
Sonya Kitchell, Ben Taylor
Schubas, Chicago
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Heaps of expectation have been poured on Sonya Kitchell and Ben Taylor (he of The Ben Taylor Band), but so has skepticism. Kitchell has the approval of Herbie Hancock, the first deal signed with coffee empire Starbucks imprint Hear, and is the latest songbird tagged [...]
Saosin, Bleeding Through previewed
Saosin, Bleeding Through
House Of Blues, Chicago
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Many, many bands, no matter how hard they work, how good their records are, or how incredible their live show is, will never get two minutes of face time with a major label A&R person. Then there are bands like Southern California’s Saosin who [...]
Forward, Russia! reviewed
Forward, Russia!
Give Me A Wall
(Dance To The Radio/Mute)
Non-Russo, former numberers of songs come back ’round for Stateside approval.
Appearing: Tuesday, December 5th at Empty Bottle.
Shanna Kiel reviewed
Shanna Kiel
Orphan
(Thick)
There’s a lot of brazen desire behind Orphan for such a short affair.
Herbert reissued
Herbert
100 lbs
(!K7)
Arriving almost apologetically, Matthew Herbert’s first three EPs and some bonus tracks come with a caveat.
Morrissey live!
Morrissey, Kristeen Young
Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The generally reclusive, somewhat tour-shy Morrissey came out of his shell once again in support of 2006’s Ringleader Of The Tormentors (Attack), even if it was for just a single day in America. Though he’d previously debuted the material at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas with a [...]
Planes Mistaken For Stars preview
Planes Mistaken For Stars
The Note, Chicago
Friday, November 24, 2006
It isn’t unusual for Midwestern bands to flee their homestead for a destination they consider more promising. After all, Middle America can seem awful limiting compared to New York City or Los Angeles, two cities contaminated with major labels and major tastemakers. So the fact Planes Mistaken [...]
The Black Keys previewed
The Black Keys, Dr. Dog*
Vic Theatre, Chicago
November 24 and 25, 2006
Pretty much everyone dismissed guitar-and-drum duos who sprang up in the early 2000s as fads. After The White Stripes stormed MTV, it seemed for awhile all there was to write about were The Kills, Mates Of State (actually organ and drums), The Like Young, and [...]
