Brassneck
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Spins: Various Artists • Pretty in Pink 40th anniversary original motion picture soundtrack LP
Various Artists Pretty in Pink 40th anniversary original motion picture soundtrack LP (A&M/UMe) John Hughes’ 1986 teen dramedy film Pretty in Pink is one of the emblematic coming-of-age films of the ’80s, perhaps surpassed only by Hughes’ own The Breakfast Club. Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me) notwithstanding, the soundtrack trophy goes to Pretty in Pink. The […]
Spins: Supertramp • Reissues
Supertramp Even in the Quietest Moments … half-speed LP remaster Breakfast in America half-speed LP remaster“ … famous last words …” half-speed LP remaster (A&M/UMe) These three simultaneous reissues complete the campaign to return high-quality pressings of the studio output by Supertramp’s pivotal five-man lineup to circulation. The albums were restored via half-speed mastering at […]
Spins: Paul McCartney • Man On the Run
Paul McCartney Man on the Run (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Capitol/UMe/MPL) Morgan Neville’s documentary Man on the Run examines Paul McCartney in the 1970s, covering his early solo career in the tumultuous wake of the Beatles’ breakup and his drive to bring his subsequent band, Wings, to global success. The accompanying soundtrack album features […]
Stage Buzz: Lords of Acid, MATTE BLVCK, Disclosure, Flea
Industrial dance legends Lords of Acid have changed over the years, especially their lineup, but the core of the outfit remains: delivering infectious, provocative songs that get you on the floor. Featuring new lead vocalist Carla Harvey, the band will bring their “Cheeky Freaky Tour” with Dead on a Sunday, Princess Superstar, MZ Neon, and […]
Photo Gallery: Failure and Baroness at Space Echo Festival • Radius • Chicago
Failure and Baroness Space Echo Festival Radius Chicago, IL May 2nd, 2026 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Somehow, the same people who brought us Cold Waves, a touchstone festival for Industrial music that spans three days, made the Space Echo Festival feel as packed with performances. The difference this time around, the actual elapsed […]
Cover Story: Triumph • Rekindling the Magic
Canadian rock trio Triumph has recently reunited after 30 years apart to embark on a 50th-anniversary North American tour. “The Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded 2026 Tour” will celebrate the band’s long and stellar career. Guitarist/vocalist Rik Emmett, bassist/keyboardist Mike Levine, and drummer/vocalist Gil Moore have forged a musical bond that has lasted over […]
Media: May 2026 • Mark Ruffin’s Jazz Odyssey
Mark Ruffin hosts a daily jazz show from 2-5 pm on SiriusXM Channel 67 and programs the channel as well. Ruffin has a programming philosophy. “I work by what I call the Duke Ellington School of programming,” he says. “Duke tried to tailor his musicians to whatever song it was. I do the same with […]
Photo Gallery: Bruce Springsteen at United Center • Chicago
Bruce Springsteen United Center April 29, 2026 Chicago, IL Recap and gallery by Curt Baran Usually, when Bruce Springsteen lands in town, it’s an immediate cause for celebration. Such was not the case this time. He and his famed E Street Band have hit the road this time because the shredded fabric of democracy in […]
Advertiser Message: See SatchVai at Chicago Theatre Sunday, May 3rd
It’s almost time for SatchVai Band’s Surfing With The Hydra 2026 Tour with special guests Animals as Leaders! Grab your tickets now for a once-in-a-lifetime show with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, along with their all-star band – Kenny Aronoff, Marco Mendoza & Pete Thorn! ??? Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, along with special guests […]
Stage Buzz: They Might Be Giants, Bruce Springsteen, Damaged Justice, Chris Duarte Group, Clan of Xymox
Prepare yourselves because The Boss is coming to town, and he wants you to know he’s mad as hell. Bruce Springsteen has never shied away from political commentary, and he’s doubled down on his stance on his latest outing, “Land of Hopes and Dreams American Tour.” It’ll be a night of great music, protest, and […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Brigette Calls Me Baby
Brigitte Calls Baby Thalia Hall Chicago, IL April 18, 2026 Live Review by Ashley Perez-Hollingsworth; Photos by Curt Baran There was something special about Brigitte Calls Baby’s second sold-out show at Thalia Hall (April 18). Maybe it was the anticipation of the crowd enthusing about past shows and their favorite songs. Maybe it was notices […]
Live Review: Pat Metheny Side-Eye III+ at Symphony Center • Chicago
Pat Metheny Side-Eye III+ Symphony Center Chicago, IL April 17, 2026 Review by Steven Kikoen, photos by Jim Snyder and Steven Kikoen Pat Metheny first caught my attention back in the spring of 1978, when his self-titled album, Pat Metheny Group, was released on the ECM label and flew into the album bins of our beloved […]
Photo Gallery: Dance Hall Crashers with Fishbone • House of Blues • Chicago
Dance Hall Crashers with Fishboone House of Blues April 18, 2026 Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran The Ska genre has seen itself move through several different stages, or “waves.” Originally, the ska style was derived from reggae or rocksteady in the 1950s. It was popular in Jamaica, but stateside remained mostly unknown. […]
Stage Buzz: Model/Actriz, Biffy Clyro, 2K, Dethlok
Need a healthy dose of nostalgia to forget what’s happening in the world for a little while? Take a journey back to the mid-2000s with the newly reunited B2K on “The Boys 4 Life Tour.” The tour also features special guests Bow Wow, Wacka Flocka Flame, Pretty Ricky, and Amerie. It all goes down at […]
Feature: Volores • Deeper Level
The unassuming package arrived, sans celebratory hoopla, a few weeks ago, sandwiched in between bills, various oversized advertisement cards, and several days’ worth of a mail-delivered New York Times subscription. A small, CD-sized, puffy envelope tumbled out of the delivery stack like a relic from the distant past that could no longer fit inside the […]
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