Recent Articles
Like A Mouse
MICE TECHNOLOGIES Mobius Media Suite Naperville’s MICE Technologies believe you’re only using half the potential of your computer and software when you’re using only one mouse with music programs like ProTools and Ableton Live. They’ve created their own bi-manual software programs that allows a musician to use two input devices (mice/track pads) independently, recreating tasks […]
Flowers For Algeria
It’s not easy to be a singer in Arabic countries, you really have to prove yourself,” says Algerian singer and guitarist Souad Massi. For a Muslim woman who wears jeans, doesn’t cover her head, and dares to perform frowned upon Western genres such as hard rock, that’s somewhat of an understatement. Then again, understatement seems […]
Local CD Reviews
Bipolar is the latest LP from American Heritage, a Chicago collective that has weathered various lineup and label changes throughout its history. The band’s Escape Artist Records debut includes both new material and some previously unreleased tracks. American Heritage uses an onslaught of technical guitar work and odd time signatures to craft its math rock […]
Best Of Around Hear
Each January, we dedicate “Around Hear” to those low-profile local artists who are our favorites from the passing year — the results of our staff and freelancers combing clubs and stacks of CDs for more than the booze and adulation we normally receive. This is by no means an attempt to make a definitive guide […]
Dem Franchize Boyz
Bow Wow, Dem Franchize Boyz Allstate Arena, Rosemont Thursday, December 22, 2005 Dem Franchize Boyz are the new hot hip-hop quartet out of Atlanta. Their single, “I Think They Like Me,” is climbing the Billboard charts with a full album, On Top Of Our Game, slated for release in February. DFB will open at WGCI’s […]
Close The Curtain
Eminem Curtain Call – The Hits (Interscope) It doesn’t take too long to realize some of Eminem’s biggest hits were his worst songs.
Gira’d up for Akron
Angels Of Light & Akron/Family Akron/Family & Angels Of Light (Young God) Proof you can get away with just about anything musically as long as you occasionally sing as a choir.
Curk Kirkwood solo
Curt Kirkwood Snow (Little Dog) When Kurt Cobain invited the Kirkwoods on Nirvana’s “MTV Unplugged” session, 10 years of indie cred bubbled on screen. Where has it gone?
Bolt Thrower review
Bolt Thrower Those Once Loyal (Metal Blade) For nearly 20 years, Bolt Thrower have been making death metal albums about war. Here’s to 20 more!
Floetry review
Floetry Flo’Ology (Geffen) Returning as one of the worst-named groups in pop history, Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart kick anger to the curb and float into oblivion.
MLTKK Go Disco
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult Gay, Black And Married (Ryko) One of the most promising entrants into industrial dance are an erratic mess. This is the long-rumored disco tribute.
Donovan Live
Donovan Park West, Chicago Tuesday, December 13, 2005 Outside of a brief run of chart hits in the ’60s, Donovan Leitch’s legacy has been as the archetype of prosaic, hippy pop. His wispy, English melodies and faux acid-trip imagery drew the ire of rock critics, consigning him to the dustbin and a happenstance association with […]
Iron & Wine/Calexico live
Iron & Wine/Calexico, Red Red Meat Congress Theatre, Chicago Sunday, December 11, 2005 Someone once told me listening to Sam Beam (a.k.a. Iron & Wine) made him feel “like winter.” He would have found it fitting then, that the night Iron & Wine and Calexico hit town for their In The Reins tour (in support […]
Cameron McGill & What Army live
Cameron McGill & What Army Schubas, Chicago Wednesday, December 7, 2005 A native of Champaign-Urbana, Cameron McGill began his musical career as frontman of pop-rock trio Morris Minors. The band released an EP in 2002 before splitting the following year. McGill went on to record his solo album, Stories Of The Knife And The Back […]
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