Columns
Local CD Reviews
Page [1] [2] Absolutely Perfect deliver an amalgam of lo-fi, guitar-driven rock. With slick, melodic touches such as the agile guitar leads reminiscent of Pretty Girls Make Graves, on “4crease,” and huge, angular riffs on “Burner” and “Ghetto Fabulous,” they show off technical virtuosity that suits their hard rock. Surprisingly, they also toss in phrases […]
Around Hear Page 2
Page [1] [2] Split Series Vol. One (Bone) consists of 11 tracks, the first five by After The Fight, the second six by #HighBall#. Both bands do the emo-punk thing with enough spastic energy and piledriving riffs worthy of any faux hawk-laden mosh pit. But while After The Fight’s rhythm section hit harder, Highball’s hit […]
Hello, My Name Is Bruce
Hello, My Name Is Bruce IE: Are things new and exciting for you? Or are you just Bruce? Day-in and out, you’re Bruce. Bruce Hornsby: I just did this bluegrass album with Ricky Skaggs and I got this jazz record with Jack DeJohnette and Christian McBride and I got this box set coming out. I’d […]
File For August
Separate Ways Mama once said, “Boy, don’t grow up to be the lead singer of a washed-up arena rock act, they’ll chew you up and spit you out.” Steve Augeri found this out the hard way. On July 7th, in the midst of Journey‘s tour with Def Leppard, Augeri was forced to leave the band […]
DVD Zone: August
THE BILL COSBY SHOW: SEASON ONE Shout! Factory We all grew up with “The Cosby Show,” whether in its first run or in its ad nauseum syndicated repeats. The show was almost the perfect sitcom, and earned its place in the television hall of fame with its blend of characters you wanted to spend a […]
The Storyteller
In an era when blues records lean toward the pseudo-authentic, Keb’ Mo’s Suitcase (Epic) pretty much tells it like it is. Singer-songwriter, poet, and multi-instrumentalist Mo’ combines the traditional with the contemporary employing Dobros, mandolins, and National Steel guitars with Hammond B3’s, Latin percussion, and electric guitars to tell our stories.
Figured Out
Ice skating and recording, two things with little in common. Yeah, you can point to the dedication, hard work, and tenacity it takes to succeed in both, but the same can be said for almost anything you do in life. The fact is, the average person would probably struggle to draw many parallels between the […]
Tribune Tribulations
There’s a heavy dark cloud draping the gothic spires of Tribune Tower these days, making Chicago ground zero for one of the country’s major media sagas.
Local CD Reviews
With a name like Arrogant, one would rightfully expect an MC with a much more cocky demeanor than this smooth-talking South Sider. On The Misconception he kicks an abundance of accessibly raunchy raps (e.g. “Bring It Back” and “Spread Ya Legz”) over an assortment of crunky arrangements. If anything, Arrogant definitely has commercial appeal. Just […]
Around Hear Page 2
Page [1] Rapper Marz may have been born and raised in the hostile streets of Croatia, but on his new album, Against All Odds, he divulges more in his respect for gangstas and his love for dough than his childhood struggle. Perhaps the aptly-titled “Thug Vibe” best describes his sound. With a never-ending arsenal of […]
IE Has Moved!
Please note our new Chicago office address: 657 W. Lake Street Suite A Chicago, IL 60661 Our new phone numbers are 312-930-9333 (Editorial); 312-930-9363 (Advertising).
Hello, My Name Is Ramblin’ Jack
Hello, My Name Is Ramblin’ Jack Q&A with folk legend Ramblin’ Jack Elliott IE: You were just in England with Devendra Banhart? Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: Well, I did one show with him. I wasn’t really with him; he was in one theater and I was in another theater at the same festival [All Tomorrow’s Parties]. […]
File For July
THE HARDER THEY COME Enticed by promises of free beer and taquitos, we headed to Chicago’s Hard Rock Cafe for their 20th anniversary party on June 12th. Yes, it was a Monday, but Styx were there, rotating keyboard stand and all.
DVD Zone: July
SYRIANA Warner Bros. It has been this way for the past hundred years. Wars are fought over it and governments toppled because of it. Corporations rake in yearly profits that eclipse the GNP of many mid-sized nations because of it. And, until someone finds a way to make your T-bird run on jelly donut filling […]
Recent Comments