Lovers Lane
In The Flesh

Archive for December, 2009

Cover Story: If We Could Turn Back Time

Cover Story: If We Could Turn Back Time

| December 31, 2009 | 6 Comments

What does it mean to “make it”? Reality TV and the Internet have mangled the notion of fame, with everyone allowed at least 15 megabytes of it. In music it’s as difficult, maybe even much harder to define. How do you quantify success? Some artists call it Top 10 singles and headlining tours. In the […]

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10 For ’10

10 For ’10

| December 31, 2009 | 0 Comments

Yourself And The Air IE takes a look at 10 local artists who’ll look to have their biggest year ever.

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OK Go interview

OK Go interview

| December 31, 2009 | 1 Comment

Testify Internet neutrality. It’s a thorny, hotly contested issue that’s divided into roughly two opposing camps: those who believe that broadband speed shouldn’t be altered depending on its content or sender/recipient, and those who insist that it should. Naturally, the average recording artist — who views it as a freedom of speech issue — is […]

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The Fold interview

The Fold interview

| December 31, 2009 | 2 Comments

Future Ready Mention Chicago group The Fold in certain circles, and the band might be known for its ties to hometown ’90s punk group Showoff (Fold frontman Dan Castady was the drummer), or recognized for its underground efforts on indie label Tooth And Nail from earlier this decade. Yet it’s The Fold’s latest move no […]

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Kill Hannah interview

Kill Hannah interview

| December 31, 2009 | 4 Comments

Can’t Stay Down It can’t be easy being Kill Hannah.

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The Best Of 2009

The Best Of 2009

| December 31, 2009 | 0 Comments

Last year was technically the end of a decade, the one beginning 2000. But the decades began with the year 1, so we won’t indulge our 10-year wrapups until January 2011. It gives us time to fully exploit our favorites from 2009, meaning albums, songs, concerts, reissues, and local bands. Stay tuned for more updates […]

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Around Hear: January 2010

Around Hear: January 2010

| December 31, 2009 | 0 Comments

Local Band Reviews January 2010 There’s a lot to like in the mostly straightforward, rockin’ R&B-esque boogie a la Aerosmith/Bad Company on Blue Moon Revue‘s self-titled, eight-song CD. But when opener “Hot Flavor” launches into a totally unexpected banjo solo you really take notice and understand why BMR has become the local, opening-band-of-choice for much […]

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Rise Against live!

Rise Against live!

| December 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

Metro, Chicago Friday, December 18, 2009 It’s weird to think about now, but there was a time before Rise Against was one of Chicago’s biggest rock acts. Once upon a time, the group plied their trade for indie label Fat Wreck Chords, and overturned venues like Knights Of Columbus in Arlington Heights. The band’s early […]

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Metric live!

Metric live!

| December 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

Cubby Bear, Chicago Thursday, December 17, 2009   It was about 12:15 a.m. when Canadian alt-rockers Metric took the Cubby Bear stage as part of the “Q101 Twisted After-Show” — much to the surprise of a sold-out crowd that had been told 9 p.m.

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Mulatu Astatke reviewed

Mulatu Astatke reviewed

| December 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

New York – Addis – London (Strut) Fans of Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers might know Mulatu Astatke’s spy jazz for the way it soundtracked Bill Murray’s hunt.

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R. Kelly reviewed

R. Kelly reviewed

| December 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

Untitled (Jive) Whatever its artistic merits, Untitled is Weird Al-proof, an utterly ridiculous R&B spoof with its creator an amalgam of Luther Vandross, Luther Campbell, and Steve Stiffler.

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Michael Londra gets festive

Michael Londra gets festive

| December 17, 2009 | 0 Comments

Beyond The Star (Celt Productions) Locally based Irish native Michael Londra has taken the logical step and made a holiday album — and, like he told the Sun-Times, he doesn’t rock the house.

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Cool Kids, Bun B live!

Cool Kids, Bun B live!

| December 16, 2009 | 0 Comments

Reggie’s, Chicago Thursday, December 10, 2009 In their rise to indie-rap fame, part of The Cool Kids’ image has been about a certain swagger, topped with an air of nonchalance. But live, especially at this capacity Reggie’s show, Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks were actually having fun.

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The Flaming Lips live!

The Flaming Lips live!

| December 16, 2009 | 0 Comments

Allstate Arena, Rosemont Friday, December 11, 2009   The Flaming Lips live for the moment, and the Fearless Freaks’ live shows treat each song as if it is the main event. They amplify the emotion as much as possible so that there is a more-than-usual lull between each song as if the band have to […]

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The Detroit Cobras preview

The Detroit Cobras preview

| December 16, 2009 | 0 Comments

Double Door, Chicago Saturday, December 19, 2009 The most recent benefit in a city- and label-wide effort to rehab Scotland Yard Gospel Choir pits Bloodshot Records’ alumni The Detroit Cobras, Dex Romweber Duo, and The Blacks together.

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