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Air Tight
APPLE MacBook Air Mac fanatics have been anticipating a sub notebook that would match the specs of mini-notebook laptops from PC makers Sony, Fujitsu, and Toshiba. They were rewarded last month when Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the MacBook Air, a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen laptop that weighs three pounds and is about 3/4-inches thick.
Why Free TV Sucks
NBC will make network history on February 18th when it premieres the Internet TV series, “Quarterlife.” But not because the half-hour show follows the lives of six good-looking white Los Angeles 20-somethings as they express their angst and try to find their place in the world.
Studio Happenings
At ELABS MULTIMEDIA in Madison, Wisconsin, Nonpoint mixed a live acoustic radio performance, recorded by Elab’s remote truck. Randy Hawk and Jack LeTourneau produced . . . New York pop rock group Locksley mixed an upcoming Japanese release for Fab Tone Records that was engineered by Sam Bair . . . Arrival Records artist Bascom […]
Blues Lite
In the liner notes to the Little Arthur Duncan: Live At Rosa’s Blues Lounge DVD/CD set (Delmark), writer, producer, radio personality, and all-around blues maven Scott Dirks, referring to the band on the stand, says “This is exactly the kind of music that made Chicago famous a half century ago.” I beg to differ. Although […]
Best Of Around Hear – 2007
Each January, we dedicate part of “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 […]
DVD Zone: January 2008
Once Fox Searchlight It seems to happen every year: The S.L.I., or Scrappy Little Indie. At some point a scrappy little indie flick from across the pond shows up on our doorstep to remind us $300 million is not needed to make a good film. It will generally be about a scrappy dweller (or dwellers) […]
Year In Blues Review
During a recent talk at Northwestern University by Israeli professor and musician Karen Alkalay-Gut, the conversation turned to language and perception in poetry and music. Alkalay-Gut teaches Hebrew poetry in English at Tel Aviv University. As the discussion became musical, a British chap in attendance disparaged rock music played in various cultures, claiming it to […]
California Leavin’
Spending a year and a half on the road with George Clinton – recording all the funkmeister’s live gigs and producing a bevy of tracks – and employed as Snoop Dogg’s personal engineer for three years, Nate Oberman has witnessed the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle from an up-close-and-personal vantage. His working relationship with The Doggfather […]
Year In Gear
Once again it has been an interesting and exciting year for new products and musical gadgets in the world of “Gear.” Here’s our list of 2007’s best stuff. 1. Alesis iMultiMix 8 USB (May) We’re fans of new music products that yolk old-school design with new technologies, and Alesis‘ MultiMix series with iPod connectivity (spearheaded […]
You Wanted The Best?
This was a good year for heavy music, and by that, I mean there were a lot of really good records released. So I hounded some notable Chicagoland headbangers and begged them to name their top five heavy albums of 2007. A few people used the ol’ “in no particular order” line when they submitted […]
Local CD Reviews
“Around Hear” is a monthly feature where a stable of IE writers review albums sent to us by local musicians. If you are interested in having your CD (must have a minimum of three songs) reviewed and are Illinois-based, mail it and any other media materials to 657 A W. Lake St., Chicago IL, 60661. […]
Around Hear Page 2
As a musical contributor to WGN Radio’s “Steve And Johnnie Show,” you won’t always hear the full effects of Jeff Frankel‘s musical abilities over AM radio, but his reissued Sometime In The A.M. captures a guitarist whose abilities are so impressive and effortless, it’s a wonder to those who appreciate the instrument. With a style […]
Hello, My Name Is Richard
Hello, My Name Is Richard Q&A With WXRT’s Richard Milne IE: Have holiday submissions to “Local Anesthetic” started coming in yet? Richard Milne: I’ve gotten e-mails from people asking clarification on what I’m expecting or telling me that it’s done or close. They just need to remix a vocal. I know people who’ve encouragingly started […]
File: December 2007
Britney…Britney…Britney… It must take effort to convince a county court that putting two children in the custody of Kevin “Popo Zao” Federline is a wise decision. But that Britney Spears is on a run of hijinks that’s making Scooby-Doo cringe. To recap, one of eight drug tests she actually made it to (she has allegedly […]
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