Archive for November, 2008
Jason Mraz & Lisa Hannigan live!
Jason Mraz, Lisa Hannigan Aragon, Chicago November 22, 2008 Forget about the screaming girls for a minute. Forget about the cheesy predilection for hats. Forget about the gimmicky routines instituted to spur a rapt crowd to simultaneous action and all the other reasons Jason Mraz inspires eye-rolling among those who wouldn’t be caught dead dancing […]
Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, & Thrice live!
Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice Congress Theater, Chicago Thursday, November 20, 2008 Early in their Thursday-night set at Congress, Rise Against performed against a massive backdrop with the word RISE looming prominently. It seemed fitting, as the band has risen from the ranks of suburban sensation to national power punk staple. And while it could […]
Calexico live!
Calexico Metro, Chicago Friday, November 21, 2008 One can always count on Tucson, Arizona-based Calexico to throw a party, but a straightforward rock show? That’s like Dave Matthews crashing a White Stripes gig – strange, but not totally unbelievable.
The Herbaliser live!
The Herbaliser Darkroom, Chicago Tuesday, November 18, 2008 London’s The Herbaliser don’t make it across the pond to play very often. But in support of their latest album, Same As It Never Was, this hip-hop-rooted collective, led by Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba, stopped by The Darkroom as part of a rare North American tour.
Jeremy Enigk & Alex Chilton previewed
Jeremy Enigk | Alex Chilton Bottom Lounge | Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago Wednesday, December 3 | Saturday, December 6, 2008 Jeremy Enigk hasn’t willed himself into obscurity quite the way Alex Chilton has, but as the former frontman of a beloved, obsessed-upon cult band his legend far outstrips his draw.
Wanna Be An IE 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 […]
Wild Beasts reviewed
Wild Beasts Limbo, Panto (Domino) It takes special circumstances to make the music public pine for hyper-literate, ultra-confident, flamboyant, British art-school types — but that’s the angular, post punk world we inhabit.
Beyoncé reviewed
BeyoncĂ© I Am . . . Sasha Fierce (Columbia) The success BeyoncĂ©’s fans have handed her is disproportionate to what the former Destiny’s Child has given back. Currently she’s brandishing a singular talent to slice a project directly down the middle — and still render it uneven.
Two Decades Of Century Media reviewed
Various Artists Century Media — Covering 20 Years Of Extremes (Century Media) It’s not fair, but to review Century Media’s 20-year celebration, in which the renowned metal label has former and (mostly) present-day acts cover other former and present-day acts, inevitably turns into more a critique of the label’s current place in heavy metal than […]
Omara Portuondo reviewed
Omara Portuondo GracĂas (Montuno/World Village) So, she has gone a little soft. Can you blame her? Omara Portuondo stuck it out for decades as Cuba’s starlet, and even smiled pretty when Ry Cooder dragged her back into the spotlight for Buena Vista Social Club.
Terry Reid preview
Terry Reid Empty Bottle, Chicago Friday, November 21, 2008 Word on the street is Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham are trying to force Robert Plant’s hand (Plant said he has no intentions of participating in a full-fledged Led Zeppelin reunion tour) by holding rehearsals with Myles Kennedy, lead singer of Alter Bridge […]
Lordi preview
Lordi House Of Blues, Chicago Saturday, November 22, 2008 Let us tell you how much cooler Finland is than the United States (notice I said “cooler,” not tougher, or more patriotic, or more armed or anything — so please no “Love it or leave it” e-mails”): Here, we mock, or in the least, dismiss costumed/masked […]
Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival preview
Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival Congress Theatre, Chicago Saturday, November 22, 2008 The 2008 Bluegrass & Blues Festival is neither bluegrass nor blues: discuss. Subtopic, the Saving Tiny Hearts Society benefits either way.
Brother Von Doom reviewed
Brother Von Doom Relentless (Deathcote) Everything about Relentless, pre-CD-player insertion, says “totally fucking badass.” Everything about Relentless, post-CD-player ejection, says “total fucking waste of time.”
Hotel Café Tour live!
Hotel CafĂ© Tour Park West, Chicago Wednesday, November 5, 2008 Girls just want to have fun until it’s time for a soul-baring, singer-songwriter night. The Hotel CafĂ© tour rolled into Chicago’s Park West the night following Barack Obama’s historic presidential win and quickly sucked the euphoria left lingering from Election Day out of the room. […]
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