Weekly
Ray Charles renewed
Ray Charles Genius: The Ultimate Collection (Concord) It’s possible you’re still dizzy. After all, the Backstreet Boys sang the National Anthem at the 2001 Super Bowl in Tampa and we’re still replenishing our sperm count. But apparently some little-known gospel/soul singer rendered “America, The Beautiful,” and if you’ve ever sought to complete your Backstreet shrine, […]
Junior Boys live!
Junior Boys Metro, Chicago Thursday, April 2, 2009 Ain’t no party like an indie-dance party and that’s why the indie-dance parties must be stopped.
John Wesley Harding preview
John Wesley Harding Schubas, Chicago Friday, April 10, 2009 What’s John Wesley Harding doing by returning to his stage name? After a fairly successful foray into literature under his birth name, Wesley Stace, he thinks he can just waltz back into music like we wouldn’t notice? Well, we do. Stace.
International Pop Overthrow preview
International Pop Overthrow 09 April 16 – 26, 2009 International Pop Overthrow, the globe-trotting celebration of power pop music, returns for its ninth year in Chicago. Named after a song by Material Issue, the festival kicks off with an eight-band showcase April 16th at Abbey Pub, which seems to be a favorite venue of organizer […]
Oh Happy Day reviewed
Various Artists Oh Happy Day (EMI/Vector) It’s always a shame when non-theistic people or folks of different religious persuasions let faith get in the way of enjoying gospel music. Aside from its undeniable role in the development of American pop music, its intent’s assumed purity makes for some unfettered listening, not to mention the excitingly […]
Eagles live!
Eagles Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates Thursday, March 26, 2009 I haven’t thought of the Lanky Blonde — the older sister of a high-school buddy — in a long time. But, when the Eagles of my youth, all put back together and looking rather dapper in dark suits, took to the stage Thursday night, there she […]
White Lies preview
White Lies Double Door, Chicago Friday, April 3, 2009 The British press is nearly unanimous when it comes to recent charttoppers White Lies: shamelessly derivative, lyrically unsteady, and almost certain to be as big, if not bigger than The Killers.
Gaslight Anthem preview
Gaslight Anthem, Good Old War Bottom Lounge, Chicago Friday, April 3, 2009 New Brunswick, New Jersey’s The Gaslight Anthem might be the most current retro band making the rounds these days. To listen to the band is to witness the group’s undeniable yearning for a simpler time, apparent in both their sound as well as […]
Spindrift preview
Spindrift Cobra Lounge, Chicago Friday, April 3, 2009 We haven’t seen The Legend Of God’s Gun, the 2008 movie Spindrift starred in and wrote the soundtrack for, but if it’s anything like The West, which serves as a “companion” to said soundtrack, it must be like watching Once Upon A Time In The West with […]
Telepathe preview
Telepathe Metro, Chicago Saturday, April 4, 2009 Less-visible bands play Russian roulette by inviting guests onto their albums, running the risk of having such an appearance inadvertently define their sound. As such, it would already be difficult to address Telepathe without mentioning TV On The Radio. But the latter’s influence, via Dave Sitek and Kyp […]
Efterklang preview
Efterklang Schubas, Chicago Saturday, April 4, 2009 Danish folktronica act Efterklang are no longer a folktronica act, which will surely annoy people who warmed to the moody glitch pop on 2004’s Tripper (Leaf). If those same people don’t care for happiness, either: Watch out.
Dana Falconberry preview
Dana Falconberry Una Mae’s Freak Boutique, Chicago Tuesday, April 7, 2009 Times are tough, man. It’s hard enough scrounging enough coin to buy some new clothes, let alone go to clubs for concerts. Singer-songwriter Dana Falconberry is giving you an alternative to both.
Say Hi reviewed
Say Hi Oohs & Aahs (Barsuk) No more vampires and only 40 percent of the old band name. Say Hi seem to be saying buh-bye. Appearing: Friday, April 3rd at Beat Kitchen in Chicago.
The Drones reviewed
The Drones Havilah (ATP/R) The Drones are certainly banking on educated (or adventurous) music fans to look at their name in conjunction with their label (All Tomorrow’s Parties) and not care whether they’re a Velvet Underground rip-off. Appearing: Tuesday, April 7th at Schubas in Chicago.
Miniature Tigers preview
Miniature Tigers Reggie’s, Chicago Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Setting the music aside – can we talk seriously for a second? – the premise of miniature tigers is exciting. Would they be scrappy like bobcats? Could you bring them home as pets, like certain sharks? We might be on the verge of a breakthrough here.
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