Recent Articles
Lykke Li preview
Lykke Li Empty Bottle, Chicago Saturday, October 25, 2008 It would be devious to downplay the disparity between Lykke Li’s concerts and albums. The difference cannot be overstated.
Of Montreal preview
Of Montreal Riviera, Chicago Tuesday, October 27, 2008 Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes explores every corner of his sexuality on Skeletal Lamping (Polyvinyl), named for the nocturnal hunting practice of flooding hiding places with light.
IE Needs An Intern!
Intern Wanted! Chicago-based music monthly Illinois Entertainer seeks an editorial intern for immediate opening. Candidate must be passionate about all forms of pop music and have a feel for the local scene and industry. A background in journalism is a must, as is a grasp of the written language and a desire to hone your […]
Death Cab For Cutie live!
Death Cab For Cutie Assembly Hall, Champaign Sunday, October 12, 2008 Seattle’s Death Cab For Cutie released its first album a decade ago. Comprising smart geeks who write melodic songs, DCFC manages the spectacularly difficult feat of combining quirkiness with muscle. Sunday’s 90-minute-plus set at the Assembly Hall demonstrated just how very good at that […]
Ben Folds live!
Ben Folds Congress, Chicago Friday, October 10, 2008 As a performer, there has always been a sense of duality surrounding Ben Folds. Initially, there was his alt-era piano-man rock outfit Ben Folds Five and, following the group’s demise, Ben Folds, sometimes introspective, sometimes cheeky solo artist. On record, there was the Folds who would heartbreakingly […]
Jamie Lidell live!
Jamie Lidell Metro, Chicago Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Jamie Lidell isn’t a big fan of doing straightforward takes on his songs. On his second headlining show in Chicago this year, Lidell, the Berlin-based British singer/producer and his soul band no doubt had a set list. But that didn’t stop the freewheeling act from going off […]
Old Crow Medicine Show preview
Old Crow Medicine Show Riviera, Chicago Saturday, October 18, 2008 If it ain’t broke . . . Certain clichés sound best in a Southern accent, which makes it disappointing when a Nashville-based string band forgets them.
Yngwie Malmsteen preview
Yngwie Malmsteen House Of Blues, Chicago Sunday, October 19, 2008 Kids, this is Yngwie Malmsteen:
Murs preview
Murs Abbey, Chicago Tuesday, October 21, 2008 After years of helping define the DIY indie hip-hop movement with his Living Legends crew, Murs is moving out of the underground for his Warner Bros. debut.
Elephant 6 Surprise
Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Show Bottom Lounge, Chicago Tuesday, October 21, 2008 The frequency with which Elephant 6 finds mention in music discussion suggests that everyone knows what it is, when, judging by album sales, such clearly isn’t the case.
High Places reviewed
High Places High Places (Thrill Jockey) If you thought esteemed local label Thrill Jockey has been paying too much attention to outre performers in he last three years, consider High Places the sort of band you could take home to an indie rock mom.
Fucked Up reviewed
Fucked Up The Chemistry Of Common Life (Matador) Fucked Up’s only album for Jade Tree, 2006’s Hidden World, wasn’t all that fucked up compared to the band’s trajectory on a score of singles and EPs. The Chemistry Of Common Life (Matador, 2008) doesn’t match the bar set by their name, either, and gives varying signals […]
Tina Turner live!
Tina Turner United Center, Chicago Friday, October 3, 2008 Tina Turner must have forgotten she vowed 2000’s tour would be her very last (though it’s certainly not the first time a diva’s done one or the other). Apparently the decision was motivated by her show-stopping duet with Beyoncé at the 2008 Grammy Awards, but without […]
Beck live!
Beck Aragon, Chicago Friday, October 3, 2008 Beck and his four-piece band tore through 25 songs in less than 90 minutes Friday night at the Aragon Ballroom with nary a wave or hello. Stripping away the gimmicks of yore – goodbye marionettes – Beck played it straight . . . really straight. Skewed dance moves […]
Bayside preview
Bayside Metro, Chicago Thursday, October 9, 2008 Having weathered the death of drummer John Holohan on last year’s The Walking Wounded, Queens-based Bayside made a conscious decision to start over with drummer Chris Guglielmo for the new Shudder.
Recent Comments