Recent Articles
Koroboro Rock
Legacy and familial inheritance has always played a significant role in African society. Whether dictating marriage, social position, or profession, the rules and expectations of family lineage have changed very slowly. And being the son of an internationally famous father does not help matters. This is the situation Vieux Farka Touré, son of late Malian […]
Local CD Reviews
Alabaster takes a dim view of relationships on its four-song EP, Hold Me Close – Hold Me Damaged. The violent imagery smacks of heavy metal, but the band’s midtempo arrangements might not have enough power to hold the average headbanger’s attention. Shane Killian is a gifted vocalist, particularly when she drifts through the theatrical “Surface […]
Around Hear Page 2
Curiously named eight-piece band Oucho Sparks deliver nearly an hour of quirky indie rock on Foreign Cars And Robots. With an ever-shifting assortment of guitar riffs (from distorted to calm) and instrumentation (vintage keys, trumpet, etc.), each song offers its share of surprises. And alternating vocalists Tim Sandusky and Laura Grey rarely cease to stun […]
Around Hear Page 3
Lucy Smith‘s Movin On is something of a mixed bag. The flat and emotionless vocals of the opener (a cover of The Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”) is bound to discourage listeners from moving forward, but the jazzier “Kiela,” the longing-fueled “All I Meant,” and her sassy rendition of “Go Down Moses” simply […]
Fall Out Boy live!
Fall Out Boy Metro, Chicago Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Here’s the secret about Fall Out Boy: They’re better than you want them to be. Sure, it’s easy to hate on them because of the increased pop profile the band now attracts, or de facto bandleader Pete Wentz’s PerezHilton.Com-worthy publicity antics. But you know what they […]
Winger, Enuff Z’Nuff live
Winger, Enuff Z’nuff House Of Blues, Chicago Sunday, February 18, 2007 “We didn’t expect this many people,” said Kip Winger to a full House Of Blues. For his notorious, now-reformed hair metal band, the reunion concert succeeded in part due to coincidence: Across the Loop, the annual Chicago Auto Show was just letting out. So […]
The Ettes preview
The Ettes Ronny’s, Chicago Friday, Feburary 23, 2007 Most musicians, we hope, think their band is good. Confidence, after all, is probably what allows some people to take the chance and get onstage while the rest of us play in the privacy of our own homes, never heard by any ears but our own.
Orangeburg Massacre preview
The Orangeburg Massacre American Legion Hall, Highland Hall Tuesday, February 27, 2007 We can’t understand a darned thing these kids are sayin’!
Slings & Arrows preview
Slings & Arrows Schubas, Chicago Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Chicago’s Slings & Arrows have a knack for choosing poor monikers — they used to be Public Four — but more than make up for it with a shadowy dream pop/slow-motion pyrotechnic mindscrambler.
The Showdown reviewed
The Showdown Temptation Come My Way (Mono Vs. Stereo) Tennessee boys The Showdown are out to oust sensitive rock and bring back the bad boys. Let’s hope they can find some bad boys, ‘cuz it sure ain’t them.
Paolo Nutini reviewed
Paolo Nutini These Streets (Atlantic) A fourth-generation Scot with a Portugeuse/Italian name, singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini’s music couldn’t possibly sound less international.
Dark Romantics reviewed
The Dark Romantics Some Midnight Kissin’ (Lujo) It’s tough to be a stylish rock band and maintain any sort of interesting edge, a problem confronting Some Midnight Kissin’.
Kenny Rogers Live!
Kenny Rogers Paramount Theatre, Aurora Saturday, February 10, 2007 Some know him as the singer from First Edition and others as a country-to-pop crossover solo artist, but no matter what the circle, Kenny Rogers will always be “The Gambler.†Though he has crested countless times on a ride that has sold more than 105 million […]
Yip-Yip Preview
Yip-Yip Beat Kitchen, Chicago Friday, February 16, 2007 “So what do you think of that Yip-Yip CD,” an acquaintance might ask. Your answer? Probably something like, “Well . . . it’s different.”
Ligion Preview
Ligion Austin’s, Libertyville Thursday, February 15, 2007 Pearl Room, Mokena Friday, February 16, 2007 Hard rock band H.I.M. sell records and concert tickets, but the real proof the Finnish group have “made it” is probably the fact they’ve spawned clones . . . Ligion, for example.
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