All Entries in the "Weekly" Category
John Wesley Harding preview
John Wesley Harding
Schubas, Chicago
Friday, April 10, 2009
What’s John Wesley Harding doing by returning to his stage name? After a fairly successful foray into literature under his birth name, Wesley Stace, he thinks he can just waltz back into music like we wouldn’t notice? Well, we do. Stace.
International Pop Overthrow preview
International Pop Overthrow 09
April 16 – 26, 2009
International Pop Overthrow, the globe-trotting celebration of power pop music, returns for its ninth year in Chicago. Named after a song by Material Issue, the festival kicks off with an eight-band showcase April 16th at Abbey Pub, which seems to be a favorite venue of organizer David Bash. [...]
Oh Happy Day reviewed
Various Artists
Oh Happy Day
(EMI/Vector)
It’s always a shame when non-theistic people or folks of different religious persuasions let faith get in the way of enjoying gospel music. Aside from its undeniable role in the development of American pop music, its intent’s assumed purity makes for some unfettered listening, not to mention the excitingly complex vocal performances. [...]
Eagles live!
Eagles
Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I haven’t thought of the Lanky Blonde — the older sister of a high-school buddy — in a long time. But, when the Eagles of my youth, all put back together and looking rather dapper in dark suits, took to the stage Thursday night, there she was. She was [...]
White Lies preview
White Lies
Double Door, Chicago
Friday, April 3, 2009
The British press is nearly unanimous when it comes to recent charttoppers White Lies: shamelessly derivative, lyrically unsteady, and almost certain to be as big, if not bigger than The Killers.
Gaslight Anthem preview
Gaslight Anthem, Good Old War
Bottom Lounge, Chicago
Friday, April 3, 2009
New Brunswick, New Jersey’s The Gaslight Anthem might be the most current retro band making the rounds these days. To listen to the band is to witness the group’s undeniable yearning for a simpler time, apparent in both their sound as well as their lyrics.
Spindrift preview
Spindrift
Cobra Lounge, Chicago
Friday, April 3, 2009
We haven’t seen The Legend Of God’s Gun, the 2008 movie Spindrift starred in and wrote the soundtrack for, but if it’s anything like The West, which serves as a “companion” to said soundtrack, it must be like watching Once Upon A Time In The West with a head [...]
Telepathe preview
Telepathe
Metro, Chicago
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Less-visible bands play Russian roulette by inviting guests onto their albums, running the risk of having such an appearance inadvertently define their sound. As such, it would already be difficult to address Telepathe without mentioning TV On The Radio. But the latter’s influence, via Dave Sitek and Kyp Malone, nearly dominates [...]
Efterklang preview
Efterklang
Schubas, Chicago
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Danish folktronica act Efterklang are no longer a folktronica act, which will surely annoy people who warmed to the moody glitch pop on 2004’s Tripper (Leaf). If those same people don’t care for happiness, either: Watch out.
Dana Falconberry preview
Dana Falconberry
Una Mae’s Freak Boutique, Chicago
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Times are tough, man. It’s hard enough scrounging enough coin to buy some new clothes, let alone go to clubs for concerts. Singer-songwriter Dana Falconberry is giving you an alternative to both.
Say Hi reviewed
Say Hi
Oohs & Aahs
(Barsuk)
No more vampires and only 40 percent of the old band name. Say Hi seem to be saying buh-bye.
Appearing: Friday, April 3rd at Beat Kitchen in Chicago.
The Drones reviewed
The Drones
Havilah
(ATP/R)
The Drones are certainly banking on educated (or adventurous) music fans to look at their name in conjunction with their label (All Tomorrow’s Parties) and not care whether they’re a Velvet Underground rip-off.
Appearing: Tuesday, April 7th at Schubas in Chicago.
Miniature Tigers preview
Miniature Tigers
Reggie’s, Chicago
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Setting the music aside – can we talk seriously for a second? – the premise of miniature tigers is exciting. Would they be scrappy like bobcats? Could you bring them home as pets, like certain sharks? We might be on the verge of a breakthrough here.
Bell Orchestre reviewed
Bell Orchestre
As Seen Through Windows
(Arts & Crafts)
Step right up, step right up! Gather ’round and see if you can guess what the new Bell Orchestre albums sounds like! Need a clue? The band are from Montreal! They’ve toured with The Arcade Fire! It was recorded at John McEntire’s Soma Electronic, here in Chicago!
P.J. Pacifico preview
P.J. Pacifico
Uncommon Ground (Wrigleyville), Chicago
Friday, March 27, 2009
Though we trust P.J. Pacifico’s name to be legitimate, their ought to be some sort of formula – like the middle-name/home-street porno-name builder – to create singer-songwriter stage names.
