ilentertainer's Latest Posts
Leigh Marble reviewed
Leigh Marble Red Tornado (Laughing Stock) Rootsy Portland singer-songwriter Leigh Marble has a crossbow full of rusty arrows ready for his second album, though its bookends have to duke it out with a soggy middle.
Cover Story: Lurrie Bell
Lurrie Bell The Power Of Love Chicago bluesman Lurrie Bell, 50, is currently riding the crest of a transglobal wave to promote his critically acclaimed new CD, Let’s Talk About Love (Aria BG). Love is Bell’s musical tribute to his guiding lights: Susan Greenberg, his life partner and the mother of their daughter Aria, and […]
Best Of Around Hear – 2007
Each January, we dedicate part of “Around Hear” to those low-profile local artists who are our favorites from the passing year – the results of our staff and freelancers combing clubs and stacks of CDs for more than the booze and adulation we normally receive. This is by no means an attempt to make a […]
Madina Lake interview
Madina Lake Through And Through Alternative rockers Madina Lake were on the road nearly all of 2007. The Roadrunner Records band began with a headlining tour plugging the spring street date behind From Them, Through Us, To You, followed by a full summer run on Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution Tour, then a whirlwind trek to […]
The Academy Is interview
The Academy Is Practicing Santi-Ria When The Academy Is started cranking out its sugary sweet pop punk recipe during the early 2000s, its goals didn’t include the grandeur of a record deal, touring world arenas, or collaborations with musical heroes. Though each scenario would eventually come to pass anyway, the suburbanites’ humble dream was simply […]
The Great Crusades interview
The Great Crusades Teutons Of Fun Picture the scene: Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip just as the burgeoning, glittery hard rock scene is shining a national spotlight on bands intent on making a case for Aqua Net stock to surge. Fresh faced 17-year-old Brian Leach, with the approval of his high-school teacher father, leaves the hearty […]
DVD Zone: January 2008
Once Fox Searchlight It seems to happen every year: The S.L.I., or Scrappy Little Indie. At some point a scrappy little indie flick from across the pond shows up on our doorstep to remind us $300 million is not needed to make a good film. It will generally be about a scrappy dweller (or dwellers) […]
Year In Blues Review
During a recent talk at Northwestern University by Israeli professor and musician Karen Alkalay-Gut, the conversation turned to language and perception in poetry and music. Alkalay-Gut teaches Hebrew poetry in English at Tel Aviv University. As the discussion became musical, a British chap in attendance disparaged rock music played in various cultures, claiming it to […]
California Leavin’
Spending a year and a half on the road with George Clinton – recording all the funkmeister’s live gigs and producing a bevy of tracks – and employed as Snoop Dogg’s personal engineer for three years, Nate Oberman has witnessed the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle from an up-close-and-personal vantage. His working relationship with The Doggfather […]
Year In Gear
Once again it has been an interesting and exciting year for new products and musical gadgets in the world of “Gear.” Here’s our list of 2007’s best stuff. 1. Alesis iMultiMix 8 USB (May) We’re fans of new music products that yolk old-school design with new technologies, and Alesis‘ MultiMix series with iPod connectivity (spearheaded […]
You Wanted The Best?
This was a good year for heavy music, and by that, I mean there were a lot of really good records released. So I hounded some notable Chicagoland headbangers and begged them to name their top five heavy albums of 2007. A few people used the ol’ “in no particular order” line when they submitted […]
Local CD Reviews
“Around Hear” is a monthly feature where a stable of IE writers review albums sent to us by local musicians. If you are interested in having your CD (must have a minimum of three songs) reviewed and are Illinois-based, mail it and any other media materials to 657 A W. Lake St., Chicago IL, 60661. […]
Around Hear Page 2
As a musical contributor to WGN Radio’s “Steve And Johnnie Show,” you won’t always hear the full effects of Jeff Frankel‘s musical abilities over AM radio, but his reissued Sometime In The A.M. captures a guitarist whose abilities are so impressive and effortless, it’s a wonder to those who appreciate the instrument. With a style […]
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