Archive for September, 2008
Damien Dempsey live!
Damien Dempsey Schubas, Chicago Friday, September 5, 2008 Looking like a younger, buffer Larry Mullen Jr., former boxer Damien Demspey brought a slice of the Emerald Isle to Schubas on Friday night to an attentive and participation-ready crowd. Singing with an affected accent missing from most cross-Atlantic artists, Dempsey often touched on themes of country, […]
Ra Ra Riot, Walter Meego preview
Ra Ra Riot, Walter Meego Subterranean, Chicago Thursday, September 11, 2008 For up-and-comers, releasing a kudos-laden EP prior to the debut of a full-length effort amasses a staggering amount of expectation on behalf of the critics who created the hype and the fans that got caught up in it. Sometimes the end result is deemed […]
The Dandy Warhols preview
The Dandy Warhols Vic Theatre, Chicago Friday, September 12, 2008 It’s a truism that when a band think it perfectly normal to lyrically celebrate their drug of choice, self-indulgence is right around the corner.
The Poison Arrows preview
The Poison Arrows Subterranean, Chicago Friday, September 12, 2008 The Poison Arrows include former members of both Don Caballero and Atombombpocketknife among its ranks. So does it sound like either? The easiest answer is . . . sorta.
The Broken West preview
The Broken West Schubas, Chicago Monday, September 15, 2008 For their second Merge Records release, Los Angeles’ The Broken West retain their label’s distinctly indistinct crown.
Paul Weller preview
Paul Weller House Of Blues, Chicago Tuesday, September 16, 2008 God knows if Paul Weller understood his Britishness would inhibit his career so. With his ninth solo album, 22 Dreams (Yep Roc), he rubs it in like he doesn’t give a damn.
Josh Rouse compiled
Josh Rouse The Best Of The Rykodisc Years (Rhino) In an age of iTunes hyper-selectivity and inescapable Essential and 20th Century Masters compilations, the music-buying public has nearly unlimited access to the dark corners of any artist’s career, regardless of record label. But Rykodisc and Rhino have a screwy little game they’d like to play.
Squeeze, Aimee Mann live!
Squeeze, Aimee Mann Ravinia, Highland Park Sunday, August 31, 2008 Given the perpetual solo tours from co-frontmen Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook (along with original pianist Jools Holland and his one-time replacement Paul Carrack), it doesn’t seem like 10 years since the last Squeeze studio CD and road trip. But just because the songs traveled, […]
Setting Sail In A Sea Of Smooth
Yacht Rock Columbia Yacht Club (Monroe Harbor), Chicago Saturday, September 6, 2008 From 1976 to 1984, the radio waves were dominated by really smooth music, also known as yacht rock. These yacht rockers docked a remarkable fleet of number-one hits, and every song has a story behind it.
Richie Havens preview
Richie Havens Beverly Center, Chicago Saturday, September 6, 2008 If there is a God and he’s male, he probably speaks English like James Earl Jones. And when he sings? The heavens thunder like Richie Havens.
James Jackson Toth preview
James Jackson Toth Schubas, Chicago Wednesday, September 10, 2008 James Jackson Toth has one of those voices that places him smack in the middle of a classic rock radio station’s playlist regardless of the year. Like The Black Crowes, it doesn’t matter that the singer-songwriter’s first solo record, Waiting In Vain (Ryko), hit store shelves […]
The Fratellis & Airborne Toxic Event preview
The Fratellis, Airborne Toxic Event House Of Blues, Chicago Wednesday, September 10, 2008 If they rely too much on the calculated cool of their two albums, The Fratellis stand to be overrun by openers Airborne Toxic Event.
Slipknot reviewed
Slipknot All Hope Is Gone (Roadrunner) Certain pockets of heavy metal fandom insist Slipknot are nothing more than goons in expensive Halloween masks whose over-the-top image, not the music, sells their records. If costumes sell CDs, though, why don’t Gwar go platinum? Why aren’t Mushroomhead playing arenas? Looking forward to the new Lordi record? Still […]
Young@Heart Chorus reviewed
Young@Heart Chorus Mostly Live (Rhino) Though technically not the Young@Heart soundtrack, without the visuals, this companion to the retirement-age music documentary still gets by, occasionally offering some contender-esque interpretations of modern rock and R&B.
Recent Comments