John Vanderslice preview

John Vanderslice
Empty Bottle, Chicago
Saturday, October 6, 2007

A couple of years ago, Frisco-based production savant John Vanderslice whined, “Time travel is lonely.” It’s no coincidence his subsequent albums have all been firmly rooted in the present.

Emerald City has more in tune with 2005’s Pixel Revolt than 2004’s Cellar Door in latching onto its post-9/11 paranoia, and fails to rival the grace of either. But falls from grace are exactly its point. The album cover depicts Vanderslice on the floor of what could be his therapist’s office, and the images he creates lyrically come together more concretely than almost ever before. (His Cellar ode to Mulholland Drive, “Promising Actress,” was perhaps more opaque than the Lynch movie.)

On opener “Kookaburra,” clouds of smoke envelop more of Manhattan. By the closer, “Central Booking,” he is guarded about his location both emotionally and physically, chastened by a world that has moved quickly toward “for” and “against.” Coinciding with this is also a stride away from his normal gadgetry — often an obstacle when it comes to Vanderslice performances — for a more self-conscious musical set, but one that finally reveals a direction . . . maybe on into the future?

Bishop Allen will open.

— Steve Forstneger

Click here to download “White Dove.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly