Archive for October, 2008
Cover Story: My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket: Urge Overkill? When My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James spoke to Illinois Entertainer in 2002, his point was drowned out by an enigmatic admission. Expressing the relationship between his band – having just released the wide-eyed, country psychedelia of At Dawn (Darla) – and their native Louisville, he casually offered “I think […]
Hannibal Buress preview
Hannibal Buress Morseland, Chicago Thursday, October 2, 2008 The connection between comedy and hip-hop has grown beyond Def Comedy Jam in recent years. Like the best observational MCs, Comedy Central’s own Hannibal Buress can create thought-provoking conversations out of everyday occurrences. The difference with the Chicagoan is he can consistently make you laugh.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds live!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Riviera, Chicago Monday, September 29, 2008 The script goes: we see a veteran act and report back how whoever it is may have lost a step but is much more seasoned. Monday night, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds slipped out of our hold and jammed a finger in […]
Hot Chip, Growing live!
Hot Chip, Growing Metro, Chicago Sunday, September 28, 2008 Who knew five pasty British guys armed with synthesizers could put on the year’s best rock show? On Sunday night, the first of a two-night Metro stand, Hot Chip egged on a libido-soaked crowd until the band’s angular, repetitive “Bendable Poseable” served to characterize the frenzied […]
My Bloody Valentine live!
My Bloody Valentine Aragon, Chicago Saturday, September 27, 2008 From a trio of stewards hocking free earplugs for fans filing in the Aragon to a set-closing, 20-minute cannonade of noise that kicked everyone out, there was no mistaking the intent behind My Bloody Valentine’s return. Frontman Kevin Shields, crippled by 17 years of artistic paralysis, […]
Stars, Bell X1 live!
Stars, Bell X1 Vic Theatre, Chicago Wednesday, September 24, 2008 When the credits roll in the imaginary film depiction of Stars’ Wednesday night gig at The Vic, the following phrase – no flowers were hurt in the making of this film – will not flash across the screen. During the Montreal collective’s 90-minute set, dozens […]
Opeth, High On Fire live!
Opeth, High On Fire House Of Blues, Chicago Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Before Opeth and High On Fire even rolled into town last week, their House Of Blues show became more about what wasn’t than was. This tour looked can’t miss when it was announced: progressive metal wizard Opeth with support from stoner king High […]
Apocalyptic Crust Fest II preview
Apocalyptic Crust Fest II The Black Hole, Chicago October 2-4, 2008 If we’re being honest, we know nothing about Shaman Records, didn’t realize the venue The Black Hole (3057 W. 26th) existed, and have heard of only a few of the nearly 30 bands playing there this weekend. But how can you go wrong with […]
Robert Pollard preview
Robert Pollard Double Door, Chicago Monday, October 6, 2008 Oh, Bob. When people realized Guided By Voices actually was going to break up in 2004, an onrush of goodwill spilled forth that seemed to forgive the Fading Captain sloppiness and TVT years at once. After that last tour, all went back to normal and Robert […]
Frontier Brothers preview
Frontier Brothers Ronny’s, Chicago Wednesday, October 8, 2008 If Jim Henson’s Muppets needed a house band, Austin’s The Frontier Brothers could fill in for Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem Band any day. Of course, the trio might want to keep the references to drugs and women at a minimum. God forbid the kids get […]
Blue Mountain reviewed
Blue Mountain Midnight In Mississippi/Omnibus (Broadmoor) Reunited and reconstituted with a new drummer, Blue Mountain double dips with a fresh album and a re-recorded mix of old “hits.” Appearing: Thursday, October 9th at Schubas in Chicago.
Land Of Talk reviewed
Land Of Talk Some Are Lakes (Saddle Creek) After changing some members, this Montreal-based quartet takes its foot off the pedal following a caustic debut EP — and its eyes off the road. Appearing: Thursday, October 9th at Vic Theatre in Chicago.
Cold War Kids interview
Cold War Kids Peristroika Countless acts accumulate an overwhelming buzz on debut albums, only to never be heard from again. Defiantly, Cold War Kids plan to ripen beyond mere flavor-of-the-month status on the new Loyalty To Loyalty (Downtown). Appearing: October 11th at Vic Theatre in Chicago.
Rachael Yamagata interview
Rachael Yamagata The Elephant In The Room Rachael Yamagata’s sophomore, double-disc effort, Elephants/Teeth Sinking Into Heart (Warner Bros.), should come with a warning sticker. Instead of the cold medicine declaration of Do not operate heavy machinery while using this product, the songstress’ brutal compositions should warrant an equally emboldened, unavoidable tag suggesting those with wounded […]
The Moon-Rays Sell You Lloyd?
Attack Of The Moon-Rays They may be Hollywood horror legends but, quite frankly, Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman don’t get the musical credit they deserve. Sure, they’ve inspired a song or two through the years and, thanks to films like Young Frankenstein and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, even a couple of dance routines. Still, […]
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