Recent Articles
Poco preview
Cubby Bear, Chicago Friday, September 25, 2009 Despite being a hitching post for a number of big-time ’60s and ’70s rockers and an important torchbearer during country rock’s lean years, few people really know Poco, much less know to seek specific info about the version popping up at Cubby Bear on Friday: Who’s in it?
Oh My God preview
Double Door, Chicago Saturday, September 26, 2009 All summer, in anticipation of Oh My God’s The Night Undoes The Work Of The Day (Split Red), I’ve been writing in “File” about the Chicago band’s massive, organ-ish keyboard attack. Well, the album arrived. No organs.
Soulsavers preview
Double Door, Chicago Sunday, September 27, 2009 Despite the weight of his contributions, Soulsavers is not Mark Lanegan. It’s nothing to do with Greg Dulli either, though the English group’s noir-rock feel is a sister sound and thus why Lanegan seems so integral to their music.
Ellnora Guitar Festival review!
Krannert Center For The Performing Arts, Urbana September 10-12, 2009 For its third biennial guitar festival, Krannert Center For the Performing Arts on the University Of Illinois campus has changed the name. The Festival formerly known as “Wall to Wall” is now called “Ellnora: The Guitar Festival.” With that name change came a subtle focus […]
U2 live!
Soldier Field, Chicago Saturday, September 12, 2009 For the longest time, the mega arena rock show was a tired cliche. The symbol of bloated excess reserved for a rock hierarchy that had not only lost touch with the fans, but seemed to see touring as a cash grab. However, with 1991’s Zoo TV tour, U2 […]
Pet Shop Boys live!
Chicago Theatre, Chicago Monday, September 14, 2009 Pet Shop Boys have endured for so long that they’ve seen the electronica era in its original incarnation, persevered through its unfashionable years, and are right back in style now that the scene’s found a steady resurgence. Just ask The Killers, Scissor Sisters, or Fischerspooner who’s inspired the […]
Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs live!
Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago Saturday, September 12, 2009 Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs dropped by The Old Town School Of Folk Music for a pair of gigs last Saturday night in support of the two Under The Covers albums they’ve recorded as Sid & Susie, a side-project that features their renditions of […]
Sondre Lerche preview
Schubas, Chicago Saturday, September 19, 2009 Despite having a name most Scandinavian metal bands would die for (SON-der LARE-kuh), this diminutive Norwegian has battled to reconcile his lolli-pop with his taste for electric guitar.
Fool’s Gold preview
Bottom Lounge, Chicago Sunday, September 20, 2009 Being yacht-deck-dressed white musicians with African beats whipped up quite a backlash for Vampire Weekend last year, but not enough, apparently, to deter Fool’s Gold.
Death preview
Empty Bottle, Chicago Saturday, September 26, 2009 If you feel exhausted by a parade of artists who are only now getting their due for either influencing punk or freak folk or electronic music or raga . . . you’re excused. Whether Radio Birdman, Zero Boys, Rocket From The Tombs, or Vashti Bunyan, there’s no shortage […]
Pharcyde, Souls Of Mischief, Camp Lo, Ugochi live!
Washington Park, Chicago September 5 – 7, 2009 Forget the ’80s revival. The ’90s were back in full force when an array of 90s alt hip hop groups played the African Festival Of The Arts on Saturday. Pharcyde, Souls Of Mischief, and Camp Lo served up jazzy beats and free-flowing rhymes to eager fans, celebrating […]
YACHT preview
Empty Bottle, Chicago Friday, September 11, 2009 Yachts are a great metaphor for ’80s oblivion, big, honkin’ seafaring jungle gyms with little intrinsic value other than to the people who buy them and those they pay to maintain them.
Alexis Gideon preview
The Whistler, Chicago Sunday, September 13, 2009 Not to slight Alexis Gideon, but people who saw the Chicagoan perform as half of rap duo Princess years ago probably went home thinking it was an elaborate farce, waxed about what great commentary it was on the joke existence of commercial rap, and bedded down for the […]
The Antlers review
Hospice (Frenchkiss) Noise, even if it was just a texture, used to stand out. When some bebop saxophonist assailed you with a foul note you knew it, just as a rapacious feedback squeal could jump off a slab of vinyl and unseat you if even for the shortest moment. Appearing: Monday, September 21st at Subterranean […]
Nine Inch Nails’ farewell!
Aragon, Chicago Friday, August 28, 2009 It proved apparent from the start that Nine Inch Nails’ Friday night show was anything but routine when the band took the stage to “Pinion,” an instrumental selection off an EP from 17 years ago. It also served as a sign that all bets were off, as Trent Reznor […]
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