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DVD Zone: February 2007
Broken Bridges Paramount A few things are well known about Toby Keith. He wears his redneck street cred like a badge, has a fetish for the troops, and above all . . . he’s a Ford® truck man. All of these traits are in full bloom in the extended Ford® infomercial, Broken Bridges.
James Brown, Soul Brother #1, R.I.P.
Sometime after midnight on December 29th, singer/guitarist and bandleader Phil Guy joined the Matthew Skoller Band onstage at his brother’s club (Buddy Guy’s Legends) and ripped into a spirited version of James Brown‘s “I Can’t Stand It” that brought the cheering crowd to its feet in tribute for a beloved artist who changed the face […]
Mixing It Up
Few people would describe the Linder Avenue Recording Web site as “striking.” The design is skeletal, white text on a black background, and the information minimal, a list of services, an e-mail address but little else.
Bad Radio Hurts Musicians
“When my life and my income and my profession are affected by media consolidation, we don’t need to make a move any further in the wrong direction,” George Jones said at a recent Federal Communications Commission media ownership hearing in Nashville. Jones was one of several country musicians – including Naomi Judd – who testified […]
Gettin’ Handsy
“Gear†will run as a web-only column this month, but will return to print next month. SOURCE AUDIO Hot Hand Source Audio‘s wireless guitar-effect system is a unique ring-controlled unit that communicates with a floor pedal to create weirdness previously only heard in a recording studio setting.
Abyssinian Funk
Distinctive, yet filled with familiar accents, Ethiopian contemporary music draws upon a vibrant ancient history as well as an unlikely mix of modern sounds. With a history that can be traced to King Solomon and Abyssinian glory and a present plagued by war and famine, Ethiopia’s music reflects the unpredictable nature of life.
Local CD Reviews
After a four-year hiatus, The Baldwin Brothers drop Return Of The Golden Rhodes (TVT), a deliciously sexy album crackling with juicy beats, deep grooves, and their unique fusion of electronic funk. Smooth vocal flow and quirky rhymes make “A Matter Of Time” a slinky ass shaker, while “Air Is Invisible” is bred from Underworld’s mindwarping, […]
Around Hear Page 2
Indie stalwart bassist Griffin Rodriguez (a.k.a. Blue Hawaii) and drummer Chris Powell are the braintrust duo behind Icy Demons. Their second full-length, Tears Of A Clone, cuts a wide-ranging swath of recorded electronica, pinballing between the insouciance of mid-’70s Zappa, the eternal ambience of Brain Eno, the percussive minimalism of Steve Reich, and all rock […]
O.A.R. & Gomez live
O.A.R./Gomez U.I.C. Pavilion, Chicago Friday, January 19, 2007 Calling O.A.R. a Dave Matthews Band rip-off is both unfair and misleading, though it’s a frequent comparison from critics and casual fans alike. Sure, the guys have opened for Dave and company on numerous occasions, built their fan base with a similar grassroots approach, tour incessantly, and […]
The Chamber Strings live
The Chamber Strings Double Door, Chicago Saturday, January 20, 2007 Those wondering if The Chamber Strings have lost a step since their last gig are missing the point. Seeing how founder Kevin Junior was literally scrounging for heroin from a cardboard box in an L.A. slum quite recently, Saturday’s reunion wasn’t about gelling or marketing […]
Cougar preview
Cougar Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, January 25, 2007 Tricky band, this post rock combo Cougar. Law, due for release on February 20th, has already been released before — twice. Easy, Cougar.
Vega4 preview
Vega4 Metro, Chicago Thursday, January 25, 2007 London-based Vega4 are sort of an international conglomerate (Irish, Canadian, and New Zealand-ish? -er? -ese? -ous?) and a right cocky bunch. In their bio, frontman Johnny McDaid says things like “It’s so hard to describe our sound.” Quick — somebody hand this guy a Snow Patrol record.
The Paper Chase preview
The Paper Chase Subterranean, Chicago Friday, January 26, 2007 When there’s no more room in hell, the dead shall walk the earth . . . and The Paper Chase shall provide the soundtrack.
First Blood preview
First Blood Champs, Burbank Monday, January 29, 2007 The disparate worlds of bloodlust and veganism combine for First Blood, who mangle hardcore metal into a fist-pumping paradigm.
Uri Caine preview
Uri Caine University Of Chicago, Chicago Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Mozart’s most cherished pieces reworked with electric guitar and turntables? Blasphemous?
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