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 definitive guide of “the best” acts, rather 10 friendly suggestions to our loyal readers looking for something fresh or that elusive next-big-thing.

Mashing musical styles has become one of the defining factors for cutting edge bands during the last decade (rock rap, emo punk, alt-country). The challenge lies in the ability to deftly combine genres into a new brew that is a refreshing improvement upon each individual style. Chicago newcomers Brother Lowdown are more than ready to tackle this challenge, as they skillfully blend shots of emo and pop with a hearty helping of country for a tasty new treat. (www.brotherlowdown.com)
– Carter Moss

Rogers Park MC Verbal Kent has come a long way since ’99. Originally the frontman of the live hip-hop band Organic Mind Unit, VK has steadily become one of the city’s most eloquent lyricists. With his straightforward debut, What Box, VK proved he had the techniques of rhyming down pat. With his 2006 sophomore opus, Move With The Walls, he completely outdid himself. Inspired by a near-death experience, VK makes it known that regardless if he’s introspecting or battle rapping, he’s going to remain hungrier than most. (www.verbalkent.com)
– Max Herman

Even for being on Hewhocurrupts Inc., a Chicago label home to some of the city’s heaviest bands, (Lone) Wolf & Cub‘s sound is particularly punishing. This five-piece spawned from three bands – La Mantra De Fhiqria, Dakota/Dakota, and The Ghost – to mix thrash guitar and gruff vocals with a slight strain of post hardcore and math rock. This year, (L)C&W released an EP, May You Only See Sky, as well as a MySpace-only track called “Shut The Fuck Up Rory Brown.” (www.myspace.com/wolfncub)
– Joseph Simek

The chemistry throughout On A Sun‘s blend of Police-esque pop, Pink Floyd psychedelics, and Nirvana-tipped alt-rock is instantly apparent whether on its current CD Watershed or the concert stage. Aside from being musical partners since childhood, the McWilliam brothers (John, Thomas, and Michael) seem to know what the other is thinking before even letting out the next note. The ensuing cohesion has led to a load of local fanfare, including a recent opening slot at the Double Door for Soul Asylum and time on various Milwaukee Summerfest stages. (www.onasun.com)
– Andy Argyrakis

Cut from a similar cloth as Elvis Costello, Matthew Sweet, and Pete Yorn, tunesmith Dick Prall interjects introspective lyrics over vocals that range from comforting to confrontational. His latest CD, Fizzlebuzzie, comes off a string of solo and Starch Martins releases, demonstrating yet another step forward that’s continually refined on the road. More than merely a local boy, the guitar slinger has ventured around America with the likes of Glen Phillips and Ari Hest, along with opening slots for Soul Coughing’s Mike Doughty, Jon Brion, and Lloyd Cole. (www.dickprall.com)
– Andy Argyrakis

The Siderunners‘ most popular piece of merchandise is their perpetually sold-out “Country Up Your Ass” (a play on the classic Metallica “Metal Up Your Ass” phrase) T-shirt, which tells you plenty about the band. These boys do love twangy vocals and syrupy harmonies, but they also have a thing for gritty guitar and raucous live shows. One listen to this “country” group and it won’t be a surprise to learn the lineup includes former members of Pruno and The Tossers. Neither will the fact their most recent record is called Sabbath Country Sabbath. (www.siderunners.com)
– Trevor Fisher

As a musical blueprint, folk infused with country and jazz sounds straightforward; yet pick any Sleeper Car track and you will be rewarded with a richly textured sonic tapestry of shimmering melodies bursting with intricately arranged instrumentation. Delicate brushes of violin, tingling pedal steel, jangly acoustic guitar, and gorgeous, yearning vocal harmonies blend into a genuinely intoxicating sound. If I could only listen to one song this month, the title track from Shy Me (Subrosa) would be it. (www.sleepercarband.com)
– Patrick Conlan

Slings & Arrows (formerly Public Four) may have picked another poor name, but their music makes up for it. Weaving sweeping dramatic gestures with quiet, delicately composed moments of tranquility, there’s something stately and mannered about their precision. Warped, blurry guitars nestle in a dreamy, psychedelic haze, and the layered instruments swirl together with Henry Brown’s low-slung drawl. It sounds messy and schizophrenic, but if The Animal Grammar is any indication, their full-length debut should be incredible. (www.myspace.com/ slingsandarrowsrock)
– Patrick Conlan

If you gather a seven-piece band into the studio and ask them to play a hybrid of jazz, pop, and rock, led by the harmonies of two female leads, what do you get? What may sound like a musical mess instead proves to be a cool, straightforward, alt-rock blade that slices cleanly into your soul. Hailing from central Illinois, Straight Jack redefines “chick rock” by laying down refreshing grooves that envelop the listener. And their sound is making marks nationwide, as they recently placed fourth in the Global Battle Of The Bands in West Hollywood, earning at trip to the world finals in London. (www.straightjack.com)

Villains Of Verona are in many ways throwbacks to those days when bands like The Police, Elvis Costello And The Attractions, The Style Council, and The Primitives garnered much attention and laid the groundwork for the alternative nation that would soon follow. The Villains join hooks, melodies, great vocals, and a wistful sense of longing together to make music that is well conceived, executed, and recorded on their CD Scene 1: I Only Play For Celebrities. Vocalist Rachel Pointec is a star-in-waiting, and the rest of the group matches her step for step. (www.purevolume.com/thevillainsofverona)
– Mike O’Cull

Category: Around Hear, Monthly