Archive for October, 2008
Conor Oberst preview
Conor Oberst Vic Theatre, Chicago Friday, October 31, 2008 Saturday, November 1, 2008 Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes have been synonymous since the former stopped releasing solo albums in his mid-teens. Now a grizzled 28-year-old, Oberst closets the band name and reveals the two aren’t as conveniently entwined as shorthand might hope.
The Takeover UK preview
The Takeover UK Beat Kitchen, Chicago Sunday, November 2, 2008 It’s a bit jarring to discover that quartet The Takeover UK don’t actually reside in some far-off, across-the-pond location. These young fellas grew up right here in the U.S. of A. Pittsburgh to be exact.
The Stolen Minks preview
The Stolen Minks Darkroom, Chicago Sunday, November 2, 2008 I put The Stolen Minks’ High Kicks (New Romance For Kids) into the CD player to listen while perusing the band’s press interviews, liner notes (nonexistent), and other “important materials” us rock critics use to judge a band’s worth, but a funny thing happened: By the […]
Uh Huh Her preview
Uh Huh Her Park West, Chicago Monday, November 3, 2008 Riot grrrls use caution — same to you, jaunty post punk supporters. Cable TV subscribers? Come on down!
The Showdown reviewed
The Showdown Back Breaker (Solid State) Nashville’s The Showdown are a metal band. Just ask ’em. In the one-sheet for Backbreaker (Solid State) “metal” is used 10 times. Appearing: Thursday, October 30th at Metro in Chicago.
Frida Hyvönen reviewed
Frida Hyvönen Silence Is Wild (Secretly Canadian) One gets the sense Swedish musician Frida Hyvönen assumes some sort of entitlement with the way she treats her material. She’s gonna try everything, ready or not. Appearing: Monday, November 3rd at Lakeshore Theater in Chicago.
Blessed By A Broken Heart reviewed
Blessed By A Broken Heart Pedal To The Metal (Century Media) Pedal To The Metal might be the year’s oddest record. Camaro-gunnin’ ’80s hard rock (check out album cover) combined with breakdown-adoring metalcore and and synthesizer-lovin’, er, sythnesizers.
Maxwell live!
Maxwell Chicago Theatre, Chicago Saturday, October 18, 2008 “I can’t tell you how special it is not to have to put out an album, but to still see you all here,” Maxwell shouted to those gathered at the Chicago Theatre during his first trip through town in seven years. “It’s just me meeting my people […]
Abigail Williams preview
Abigail Williams Doug’s Rockhouse, Aurora Thursday, October 23, 2008 Think American Black Metal (or black metal in general, really) and a few things come to mind: one-man bands, graveyard promo photos, unreadable logos, ridiculous corpsepaint, kvlt dudes on their parents’ computer talking shit about Nachtmystium, and horrible-sounding record production.
Lykke Li preview
Lykke Li Empty Bottle, Chicago Saturday, October 25, 2008 It would be devious to downplay the disparity between Lykke Li’s concerts and albums. The difference cannot be overstated.
Of Montreal preview
Of Montreal Riviera, Chicago Tuesday, October 27, 2008 Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes explores every corner of his sexuality on Skeletal Lamping (Polyvinyl), named for the nocturnal hunting practice of flooding hiding places with light.
IE Needs An Intern!
Intern Wanted! Chicago-based music monthly Illinois Entertainer seeks an editorial intern for immediate opening. Candidate must be passionate about all forms of pop music and have a feel for the local scene and industry. A background in journalism is a must, as is a grasp of the written language and a desire to hone your […]
Death Cab For Cutie live!
Death Cab For Cutie Assembly Hall, Champaign Sunday, October 12, 2008 Seattle’s Death Cab For Cutie released its first album a decade ago. Comprising smart geeks who write melodic songs, DCFC manages the spectacularly difficult feat of combining quirkiness with muscle. Sunday’s 90-minute-plus set at the Assembly Hall demonstrated just how very good at that […]
Ben Folds live!
Ben Folds Congress, Chicago Friday, October 10, 2008 As a performer, there has always been a sense of duality surrounding Ben Folds. Initially, there was his alt-era piano-man rock outfit Ben Folds Five and, following the group’s demise, Ben Folds, sometimes introspective, sometimes cheeky solo artist. On record, there was the Folds who would heartbreakingly […]
Jamie Lidell live!
Jamie Lidell Metro, Chicago Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Jamie Lidell isn’t a big fan of doing straightforward takes on his songs. On his second headlining show in Chicago this year, Lidell, the Berlin-based British singer/producer and his soul band no doubt had a set list. But that didn’t stop the freewheeling act from going off […]
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