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Punch Brothers
Punch Brothers Ravinia, Highland Park Monday, July 21, 2008 Bluegrass is a virtuosic style of music — no denying that. But King Crimson it ain’t, or at least shouldn’t be. So beware of bands like Punch Brothers and their four-movement, 41-minute songs.
John Hiatt reviewed
John Hiatt Same Old Man (New West) Raspy singer-songwriter John Hiatt displays a voice beyond his years on Same Old Man, which makes him sound about 113. Appearing: Friday, July 18th at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park.
Billy Idol compiled
Billy Idol The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself (Capitol/EMI) Since Billy Idol’s intentions have always been so clear, he’s a classic debate case: Is it better to acknowledge you’re a sellout from the beginning?
Van Morrison live!
Van Morrison Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Anyone who has seen Van Morrison knows there’s no telling what mood he’ll be in, what genre he’ll focus on, what hits he’ll sing (if any), or how long he’ll play. At 62, with 35 self-produced solo CDs under his belt, Morrison is certainly entitled to […]
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts live!
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts Rib-Fest, Naperville Saturday, July 5, 2008 At nearly 50, Joan Jett can be considered a rock ‘n’ roll cougar. Taking the stage at Naperville’s Rib-Fest Saturday night, the gum-chewing, leather-clad rocker cranked out a P.G. show that touched on all the old standbys. Slipping in a few new songs and […]
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers live!
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers United Center, Chicago Wednesday, July 2, 2008 There’s nothing like getting a jumpstart on Independence Day weekend with a surefire set from one of rock’s quintessential American bands. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers parlayed a juggernaut Super Bowl halftime show into a sold-out crowd at the United Center last Wednesday. […]
Modey Lemon preview
Modey Lemon Beat Kitchen, Chicago Friday, July 11, 2008 Pittsburgh-based (how often do you read that?) Modey Lemon used to get so rough it wouldn’t have been unexpected for frontman Phil Boyd to emerge from the crowd with a fan’s newly decapitated skull dangling by its white afro. He’d probably mock headbang with it, and […]
Gavin Rossdale preview
Gavin Rossdale House of Blues, Chicago Sunday, July 13, 2008 Bush never pretended to be everyone’s cup of tea, but the Gavin Rossdale-led foursome enjoyed more than a modicum of success during grunge and alternative rock’s heyday. While often considered a second- or third-tier act on a scale defined by Nirvana, the band made the […]
Son Ambulance preview
Son Ambulance Schubas, Chicago Tuesday, July 15, 2008 For their latest album, Saddle Creek’s radar jammers waft through a tour of American songwriting techniques, lingering mostly on the West Coast.
Cancer Bats preview
Cancer Bats House Of Blues, Chicago Tuesday, July 15, 2008 On their new album, Hail Destroyer, Cancer Bats prove mixing hardcore and metal doesn’t have to equate to lame-ass metalcore. Maybe tourmates Bleeding Through will take note.
Albert Hammond, Jr. reviewed
Albert Hammond, Jr. ¿Cómo Te Llama? (Black Seal/Sony BMG) With the Drew Barrymore aftermath currently the only interesting Strokes news, Albert Hammond, Jr. releases his second solo album.
Motley Crue reviewed
Motley Crue Saints Of Los Angeles (Eleven Seven/Motley) With a guitarist who shows less life than Bernie Lomax, a drummer who’s convinced he’s a DJ, and a summer tour “extravaganza” with Buckcherry, Papa Roach, and fuckin’ Trapt, it’s doubtful anyone had high expectations for a new Motley Crue record. But guess what? Saints Of Los […]
Kansas preview
Kansas Eyes To The Skies Festival, Lisle Friday, July 4, 2008 “Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky,” go the lyrics to Kansas’ career-defining hit, “Dust In The Wind.” Well, there’s one other thing in addition to the earth and sky . . . a Kansas concert.
Hacienda Brothers preview
Hacienda Brothers FitzGerald’s, Berwyn Saturday, July 5, 2008 Despite the recent passing of founding-member Chris Gaffney, Dave Gonzalez will carry the band’s flag for this year’s American Music Festival.
Patriotic Country three-quilled
Various Artists Patriotic Country 3 (Razor & Tie) America is under siege. That’s the message emanating from this 17-track compilation, proceeds from which will benefit the families of the National Guard and other military reservists.
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