Archive for December, 2006
Around Hear Page 2
Even when attempting to be melancholy, as on “A Good Fight,” the 11 tracks on Love By Design‘s Let The Outside In are generally optimistic, innocent pop rock numbers. The whimsical, almost childlike, vibe, especially with “Busy Bee,” is likely due to the immaculately produced studio sound and the soothing, harmonizing vocal style. A rich […]
Best Of Around Hear 2006
Each January, we dedicate part of “Around Hear” to those low-profile local artists who are our favorites from the passing year – the results of our staff and freelancers combing clubs and stacks of CDs for more than the booze and adulation we normally receive. This is by no means an attempt to make a […]
Alex Chilton Turns 56
Alex Chilton Birthday Bash Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, December 28, 2006 Alex Chilton’s mythical status will confound our humanoid successors when they discover us thousands of years after the thaw, fallout, or flood. His adorers constantly argue why he should be among rock ‘n’ roll’s elite while having to agree the vast majority of his […]
Stay In This New Year’s Eve!
Auld Lange HDTV INHD Network doesn’t really need to provide a lot of reasons to watch “London Live” on New Year’s Eve, what with the state-of-the-art high definition, Dolby 5.1 sound, and 1080i picture and all. But if they are looking for a selling point, we have an easy one: It’s this or Carson Daly […]
Anita Baker Live!
Anita Baker Chicago Theatre, Chicago Saturday, December 09, 2006 When Anita Baker released her comeback CD, My Everything, in 2004, she was slated to perform at the United Center with duet partner Babyface, but the concert was canceled due to undisclosed reasons. A royalty-related lawsuit from Babyface crept into the picture shortly thereafter, but the […]
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Live!
Trans-Siberian Orchestra East Allstate Arena, Rosemont Saturday, December 9, 2006 By the time the second act of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s first Chicagoland show of the Christmas season fired up, audience members were either with them or against them.
Jingle Your Bells Preview
Jingle Your Bells Abbey Pub, Chicago Friday, December 15, 2006 Saturday, December 16, 2006 50 Cent has a new beef. It’s not Nas, The Game, or Ja Rule, though. This time, it’s two pale indie rockers from Chicago.
Jon McLaughlin Preview
Jon McLaughlin House Of Blues, Chicago Friday, December 15, 2006 It’s all happening for singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin. The Billy Joel/Ben Folds-influenced pianist debuts Indiana, his first album for Island Records, early next year and coming this summer he’ll put his Andy Roddick-like good looks to use in Disney’s Enchanted, a mix of animation and live […]
Unknown Hinson Preview
Unknown Hinson Stage 83, Lemont Friday, December 15, 2006 Trying to think of a schtick for your musical act? Some novelty to catch people’s eyes and ears? Might as well forget about backwoods-hillbilly-vampire-1950s country and western singer, ’cause Unknown Hinson already has the market cornered.
Frank Morey Preview
Frank Morey Uncommon Ground, Chicago Wednesday, December 20, 2006 Singer-songwriter Frank Morey isn’t from Chicago, but he certainly has ties to the city.
Twisted Sister Preview
Twisted Sister House Of Blues, Chicago Thursday, December 7, 2006 By all accounts, A Twisted Christmas (Razor & Tie) was supposed to be Twisted Sister’s swan song. What has happened since the record’s release in October, though, has been as much a surprise to the band as it has everyone else.
Hip-Hoppers Survive Bus Accident
IE was originally slated to bring readers a preview of Saturday’s Mr. Lif/The Coup show at The Abbey until shocking news broke early Tuesday morning from the groups’ respective labels (Definitive Jux and Epitaph).
Janet Jackson Reviewed
Janet Jackson 20 Y.O. (Virgin) What is “Janet Jackson” after nipplegate? Because there was an album directly following the incident (Damita Jo) and permanent suspicions as to her designs, people will look to 20 Y.O. for answers, a confession, something.
The Good Mornings Reviewed
The Good Mornings The Good Mornings (Thick) Calliope side project The Good Mornings wrestle with Spectoresque pop and swirling, shoegazing whirlpools.
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