Archive for February, 2010
Alkaline Trio reviewed
This Addiction
(Heart & Skull/Epitaph)
For all the grumbling that Alkaline Trio have strayed from the rawer sound present on the act’s initial outings, the three-man punk outfit don’t seem to have any trouble getting bodies out to see them.
Appearing: February 27 and 28 at Metro in Chicago.
Dr. Wax Farewell Concert
McCormick Auditorium, Chicago
Sunday, February 28, 2010
To many artists and music fans, Dr. Wax was a Chicago institution. While the local record-store chain lost two locations up North in recent years — one in Edgewater and the other in Evanston — the impact wasn’t felt quite like the announcement of the closing of its last branch [...]
Rocky Votolato preview
Schubas, Chicago
Friday, February 26, 2010
Why is this man smiling? No clue. Singer/songwriter Rocky Votolato — if his work is any gauge — has lost just about every love-based battle he’s fought, something that hasn’t changed for True Devotion (Barsuk), out this week.
Carolina Chocolate Drops preview
FitzGerald’s, Berwyn
Saturday, February 27, 2010
It’s invoked to be provocative, but with an album as good as Genuine Negro Jig (Nonesuch) you almost wonder if Carolina Chocolate Drops have done their music a disservice by drawing attention away from it.
Tinariwen preview
Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tinariwen are exactly the sort of guitar band who you feel could break Joe America’s skittishness toward “world” music, yet stand in their own way. The title of their fourth album translates to “companions,” which suggests an unfortunate, one-world Benetton pretense. If people only stayed to [...]
John Butler Trio live!
Lincoln Hall, Chicago
Monday, February 15, 2010
Those concerned by the inherent radio friendliness of “One Way Road” – the first single from the John Butler Trio’s forthcoming album, April Uprising — can breathe easy. Using Monday night’s sold-out show at Lincoln Hall as a gauge, the songs populating the band’s fifth studio release retain Butler’s unwavering [...]
Mariah Carey live!
Chicago Theatre, Chicago
Saturday, February 13, 2010
As someone who’s accustomed to playing arenas, seeing Mariah Carey in a theater setting could either be interpreted as a rare, intimate treat for die-hards or an indication that she can’t quite sell as many tickets anymore. Sure, two sold-out nights at the Chicago Theatre aren’t anything to sneeze at, [...]
Wild Beasts preview
Schubas, Chicago
Friday, February 19, 2010
Looking back, Wild Beasts could have gotten away with about anything on their debut, Limbo, Panto (Domino). One unhinged instrument sounds even less controlled when the rest of the orchestra moves in time, so why not air them all out?
El Perro Del Mar preview
Lincoln Hall, Chicago
Monday, February 22, 2010
No one cares about it, but my love/hate affair with El Perro Del Mar’s music has been documented on this site. Icy, repellant, a feast for Kate Bush fans — she’s upsetting but compellingly sure of her direction.
Vitalic preview
Empty Bottle, Chicago
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
It’s hard to imagine Blade Runner zealots — what with the bleak fate of the world and all — being big dance-music fans, but if they were, Vitalic would rate pretty highly.
Pictures Of Then reviewed
The Wicked Sea
(self-released)
Minneapolis-based Pictures Of Then have gambled by making their name a reference to the past, though it doesn’t turn out to be so much of a risk.
Appearing: Tuesday, February 23rd at Elbo Room in Chicago.
Robert Earl Keen Jr. preview
Joe’s, Chicago
Friday, February 12, 2010
Years ago, all the CMA hubbub about Taylor Swift probably wouldn’t cost Texan Robert Earl Keen much sleep. The country singer/songwriter didn’t get angry — he just killed.
The Devil Wears Prada preview
House Of Blues, Chicago
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Though they have a reputation, perhaps well deserved, as dim-witted, vulgar miscreants, few fans get as passionate about their favorite bands as the metal crowd. Vocal style, drop tunings, beat count, and breakdown depth are all considered to determine if a band merits worth. Indie kids just don’t get [...]
Phantogram preview
Schubas, Chicago
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
We repeatedly come across — whether coincidental or planned — revived musical styles. It’s not quite at the point of (the erroneously reported) “nothing more can be invented” quote from a 19th century patent-office employee, but bands find remarkable ways to invoke the past.
La Roux live!
Lincoln Hall, Chicago
Monday, February 1, 2010
You could be excused for thinking there might be some sense of, if not outrage, mild resentment following the completion of La Roux’s set Monday night at Lincoln Hall. The event served as the make-up date for a previously canceled concert in October and, judging by the obviously infatuated devotees [...]
