ilentertainer's Latest Posts
Kassin+2 reviewed
Kassin+2 Futurismo (Luaka Bop) Built upon the trio of Kassin, Domenico Lancellotti, and Moreno Veloso (the series’ first volume was by Moreno+2, the second by Domenico+2) Futurismo has a bossa nova backbone (not unlike pioneers Caetano Veloso or even Os Mutantes), but forces some not-too-subtle rearrangements that don’t ultimately redefine Brazilian terminology, but that generalistic […]
Torche reviewed
Torche Meanderthal (Hydra Head) A band called Torche releases a record called Meanderthal on the label Hydra Head. Sounds like a sure formula for beards, abstract song titles, lots of tempo changes, and eight-minute tracks, doesn’t it? Thinking-man’s metal, right? Appearing: Sunday, July 20th at Empty Bottle in Chicago.
The Black Angels reviewed
The Black Angels Directions To See A Ghost (Light In The Attic) The Black Angels’ debut, Passover, got a free pass from critics who agreed its dark-alley psychedelia was more than the sum of its obvious influences. But trying to tap the same black-tarred vein doesn’t serve them quite as well on Directions To See […]
K’naan reviewed
K’naan The Dusty Foot Philosopher (Independent Media) MC and poet K’naan has no shortage of real-life struggles to speak on being a refugee of Mogadishu, Somalia, the place he calls “the most dangerous city in this universe.”
Power Quest reviewed
Power Quest Master Of Illusion (Napalm) When keyboardist Steve Williams and Steve Scott left Dragonheart in 2000, they surely did so thinking their new project, Power Quest, had just as much chance “making it” (this is power metal we’re talking about) as their old band did. Wrong.
Basia Bulat preview
Basia Bulat Vic Theatre, Chicago Friday, May 9, 2008 The first strums of Basia Bulat’s autoharp on “In The Night,” the first single from the Canadian songstress’ Rough Trade debut, immediately conjure Catherine O’Hara’s free-spirited folkie Mickey Crabbe in 2003’s A Mighty Wind. Fortunately, the rambunctious “In The Night” is light years away from the […]
Was (Not Was) preview
Was (Not Was) Abbey Pub, Chicago Saturday, May 10, 2008 Why can’t more records kick off with a song about skinhead psychos, dismembered mothers, patriotic threesomes, and Scientology jokes?
El Perro Del Mar, Lykke Li preview
El Perro Del Mar, Lykke Li Schubas, Chicago Monday, May 12, 2008 Sarah Assbring, who is El Perro Del Mar, must record while lying on her back and gazing opaquely into the night sky. The hint is the crickets.
Progressive Nation preview
Progressive Nation Tour Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont Tuesday, May 13, 2008 In 1992, Dream Theater probably didn’t foresee their first hit single, “Pull Me Under,” would also be their last hit single. They were only two records into their career at that point; surely hits would follow. Yet, here we are 16 years — and a […]
The Sword reviewed
The Sword Gods Of The Earth (Kemado) If Gods Of The Earth can’t accomplish it, then The Sword might as well submit to the fact heavy metal’s community, especially the so-called “real metalheads,” are never going to accept them.
Neon Neon reviewed
Neon Neon Stainless Style (Lex) The project’s a joke ode to fallen entrepreneuer John DeLorean, but Neon Neon proves Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys is someone who, given the opportunity, can communicate clearly.
Cover Story: Ministry’s Farewell
Ministry Jour Gonna Miss Me On a sultry August 18th, 1995, Chicagoans and pilgrims stuffed the Riviera Theatre for a last chance to catch the Ramones live. Opening act Gren, a grunge-era also-ran, had the word “ignored” redefined for them while all anyone wanted to hear was that iconic “One! Two! Three! Four!” 30 more […]
Flosstradamus live!
At this point in the game, predicting the continual advent of the next generation of Chicago hip-hop talent is hardly a new or groundbreaking call. Nearly every music magazine in the country has written about at least some, if not the majority of the talent that has emerged the last few years. In fact, many […]
Atmosphere live!
Atmosphere Metro, Chicago Wednesday, April 23, 2008 It doesn’t seem much of a stretch to see life imitating art in the case of Minneapolis hip-hop outfit Atmosphere. After all, the group’s just-released record is titled When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, which might explain the impressive level of output released by […]
Earth live!
Earth The Note, Chicago Friday, April 25, 2008 “Dude, I’m bored,” announced a friend of a friend in a Venom-themed Boris T-shirt. “Are you guys going to leave soon?” It was a damned good question. After six songs of blandly introverted, lightly amplified twang, many at the quaint Wicker Park bar were starting to come […]
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