Archive for June, 2008
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Textbook‘s Boxing Day Massacre is certainly a catchy album and has plenty of pop hooks to spare. Unfortunately, it’s also bland. While there’s no doubting the sincerity, Textbook come off as very Gin Blossoms-ish or, more generously, The Archies, but without the nostalgic charm. “The Weight Of Everything” is when this really becomes apparent and […]
Liz Phair live!
Liz Phair Vic Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, June 24, 2008 An unintentionally ironic sign greeted Liz Phair fans Tuesday night. Anyone approaching from the north was reminded why they were clamoring to hear her first album performed in its entirety: “LIZ PHAIR — SOLD OUT.”
Dilated Peoples live!
Dilated Peoples, Aceyalone Double Door, Chicago Friday, June 20, 2008 Hip-hop shows have become a rarity at the Double Door, which is why it was a welcome surprise to see Los Angeles’ Dilated Peoples play the compact venue on the first night of summer. Of course, in 15 years this hip-hop trio – comprising Rakaa […]
Mavis Staples live!
Mavis Staples Hideout, Chicago Monday, June 23, 2008 In explaining why she decided to record her forthcoming live album at Hideout Monday night, Mavis Staples cited its closeness to home, even joking of starting a Wednesday-night residency. But her second reason was much more telling: “Keep up these positive vibrations for at least the next […]
Richard Marx live!
Richard Marx, Matt Scannell Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire Monday, June 23, 2008 “You have to make sure a hometown show is great because chances are you’ll run into some people who were there at Starbucks the next morning,” joked Richard Marx during an unplugged storytellers set just a few miles from his North Shore residence.
Dawn Landes live!
Dawn Landes Hideout, Chicago Thursday, June 19, 2008 Dawn Landes’ music and performance were so lacking in artifice Thursday night, she had to invent some by having her backing band wear sequined accessories.
Green Jelly preview
Green Jelly Double Door, Chicago Friday, June 27, 2008 In nearly three decades as a band (“3 Little Pigs” in 1992 might have been the first time you heard ’em, but they have actually been around since the early ’80s), Green Jelly have released two full-length, studio albums. Two. In 27 years. That’s 226 fewer […]
God-Des & She preview
God-Des & She Circuit Nightclub, Chicago Friday, June 27, 2008 Though we’ll never say never, there are a lot of factors working against God-Des becoming a household hip-hop name or Source-approved MC. One, she is obviously a woman, and though there’re certainly exceptions to the rule, sadly, female rhymers only seem to get attention when […]
Hayden preview
Hayden Schubas, Chicago Saturday, June 28, 2008 The standout track on Hayden’s fifth full-length, In Field & Town (Fat Possum), is also the album’s shortest number. “Weight Of The World” wisps by in less than two minutes, leaving a vapor trail of loveliness that just begs for another verse. Rolling acoustic guitar, a sweet harmonica […]
Seun Kuti preview
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 House Of Blues, Chicago Monday, June 30, 2008 Afrobeat is best experienced live. The oft-charismatic frontman surrounded by an assortment of guitarists, percussionists, horn players, and back-up vocalists included in this Nigerian-born music equals a spectacle that must be experienced in person.
Less Than Jake preview
Less Than Jake House Of Blues, Chicago Wednesday, July 2, 2008 On the heels of re-releasing three albums of early material (Pezcore, Goodbye Blue & White, and Losers, Kings And Things We Don’t Understand), Less Than Jake hope to pop some integrity back into the term “ska punk.”
Mudcrutch reviewed
Mudcrutch Mudcrutch (Reprise) If anywhere, Tom Petty’s Mudcrutch should be insanely popular in Chicagoland: We’re putting the band back together! Appearing: Wednesday, July 2nd at United Center in Chicago.
Camper Van Beethoven compiled
Camper Van Beethoven Popular Songs Of Great Enduring Strength And Beauty (Cooking Vinyl) Camper Van Beethoven don’t loom. Despite being as important to American alternative rock’s adolescence as Black Flag, Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Sonic Youth, and others, “legendary” has rarely been credibly applied to them. Music goons were even able to pull Mission Of […]
Rush live!
Rush United Center, Chicago Monday, June 9, 2008 Click picture to view the gallery. Thousands of gray-haired metalheads and middle-aged rockers (some with their kids en tow) descended upon the United Center Monday night to catch Rush. Now in their fourth decade, the question was whether the Canadian trio still had anything left in them. […]
Kenny Loggins live
Kenny Loggins Ravinia Festival, Highland Park Sunday, June 15, 2008 There are several components to the three-and-a-half-decade career of Kenny Loggins, some of which have stood the test of time better than others. His first taste of fame came under the Loggins And Messina heading, a folk/pop duo also starring Jim Messina (ex-Buffalo Springfield, Poco) […]
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