Columns
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 […]
DVD Zone: December 2007
Help! Capitol/Apple After the success of A Hard Day’s Night, it would have been easy for The Beatles to try to recreate the faux documentary style that made that film such a delight. Instead, for their second foray into the big-screen world they went a totally different direction. While it isn’t the grand slam that […]
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
Forty Piece Choir‘s swan-song, The Profound Nature Of Life, offers little insight into the veteran Americana act’s recent breakup. Instead of a funeral march (or wispy, introspective folk), their fourth full-length is a celebration of boogie-woogie horns, jubilant electric piano, and an almost Born To Run level of uplifting vocal urgency. FPC have hit their […]
Around Hear Page 3
In a world of cutthroat musicians with six-page press kits, Mitch And The Polecats are refreshingly modest. “I hope U enjoy it,” writes harmonicist/vocalist Mitch Mathena on his band’s perfectly shabby one-sheet. Get Naked is so casual it negates the need for introduction, focusing instead on immediate, easygoing love songs (well, lust songs) and smooth, […]
Ho, Ho, Headbang
For two months now I’ve stashed away Rhino’s The Heavy Metal Box and Megadeth‘s Warchest just so I could reveal all the glorious details in December and make this month’s column a sort of “Headbanger’s Gift Guide.” Cheesy, I know. But I’m only trying to spread a little holiday cheer to all you godless heathens. […]
Tune In
GIBSON Les Paul Robot Guitar A friend once told me he couldn’t attend shows at a certain Chicago venue because the bands that generally played there “couldn’t tune their damn guitars.” The Gibson Les Paul Robot could change that.
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