Archive for March, 2008
The Gutter Twins live
The Gutter Twins Metro, Chicago Friday, March 7, 2008 It isn’t entirely accurate to print The Gutter Twins show happened Friday the 7th, because, in actuality, the outfit didn’t take the stage until well after 1 a.m. Saturday morning. Then again, a so-late-it’s-almost-early performance is hardly surprising, given the nocturnal aesthetic of the talent.
The Tossers preview
The Tossers Metro, Chicago Friday, March 14, 2008 St. Patrick’s Day is Monday, March 17th for most people, but for Tossers fans it’s Friday night.
Nick Jaina preview
Nick Jaina Subterranean, Chicago Sunday, March 16, 2008 Oregonian Nick Jaina obviously cherishes Tom Waits’ pre-Island Records catalog, though is careful not to reverently trace the steps of Closing Time or Nighthawks At The Diner.
Mission Man preview
Mission Man Elbo Room, Chicago Wednesday, March 19, 2008 In his press materials Gary Milholland, aka Mission Man, claims he chose his stage name because he is “on a mission to change the way people see hip-hop.” He succeeded with me – I may never be able to listen to it again.
Mike Doughty preview
Mike Doughty Band Vic Theatre, Chicago Thursday, March 20, 2008 It can be really difficult for a singer-songwriter to make enough of a living to pay the bills, much less make music that stands out from the crowd. Fortunately for Mike Doughty, he has been able to do both. Of course it doesn’t hurt that […]
Bottomless Pit reviewed
Bottomless Pit Hammer Of The Gods (Comedy Minus One) Bottomless Pit comprises former Silkworm mates Tim Midgett and Andy Cohen, who are still working past the death of drummer Michael Dahlquist in 2005. Hammer Of The Gods, fittingly, moves on as well. Appearing: March 28th at Empty Bottle in Chicago.
Grief Of War reviewed
Grief Of War A Mounting Crisis . . . As Their Fury Got Released (Prosthetic) If global distance covered really validates a musical trend’s worth, or at least strength, this whole thrash revival thing must be the real deal, ’cause Japanese kids are all over it.
Clutch live!
Clutch Metro, Chicago Tuesday, February 26, 2008 Clutch have been called a lot of things in their 15-plus years together, including hardcore, hard rock, alt-rock, nu-metal, and stoner metal. Truth is though, all those labels are more the result of industry and label types trying to squeeze Clutch into changing musical tastes than they are […]
Evangelicals preview
Evangelicals Schubas, Chicago Friday, March 7, 2008 Not long ago, I was in a friend’s car when he popped in Steve Vai’s 1990 guitar opus, Passion & Warfare. The opening “Star-Spangled Banner”-esque harmonies caused me to think, “No one does it like this anymore.” Then I sat down with Evangelicals’ second album, The Evening Descends […]
Great Northern preview
Great Northern Metro, Chicago Friday, March 7, 2008 Los Angeles-based Great Northern doesn’t just write songs, the trio create soundscapes impossible to detach from. Vocalists Solon Bixler and Rachel Stolte intertwine harmonies in hushed, almost muted tones that shoulder the heavy burden of emotion coursing through the five tracks on the group’s Sleepy Eepee (Eenie […]
Grand Archives & The Acorn preview
Grand Archives, The Acorn Schubas, Chicago Saturday, March 8, 2008 Band Of Horses may have had an uncanny sonic resemblance to My Morning Jacket, but they actually were writing their own tunes. They’ll have to continue without co-founder/songwriter Mat Brooke, however, who took his single “t” and founded Grand Archives.
Sam Barsh preview
Sam Barsh Green Mill, Chicago Saturday, March 8, 2008 Sam Barsh seems like a fun guy. C’mon, there he is on the front cover of I Forgot What You Taught Me (Razdaz) jumping in the air with one hand clinched in a fist and the other holding a small keyboard with his name painted on […]
Rakim reviewed
Rakim The Archive: Live, Lost & Found (Koch) I could kick Koch Records in the balls for this CD. Four unreleased tracks, 18 live cuts, and no production notes.
Dolly Parton reviewed
Dolly Parton Backwoods Barbie (Dolly) Dolly Parton brims with so much vitality she resented being bounced from country radio and resorting to albums that earned critical acclaim. Radio and TV are where she wants to shine and if the major labels won’t help — well, you saw what she did to Dabney Coleman.
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