Weekly
Fair To Midland preview
Fair To Midland Austin’s, Libertyville Saturday, December 15, 2007 Fair To Midland are oddballs, at least by major-label standards. Maybe not Bjork or Captain Beefheart odd, but certainly more adventurous than a bulk of heavy music released nowadays by majors. In fact when the band were shopping their demo for a record deal, they didn’t […]
My My My preview
My My My Elbo Room, Chicago Saturday, December 15, 2007 How many times does Craigslist deliver a happy ending? For Russell Baylin, the Web site with everything issued the Addison, Illinois singer/guitarist four like-minded musicians.
Charlie Louvin preview
Charlie Louvin Schubas, Chicago Sunday, December 16, 2007 Charlie Louvin is older than the Grammys. Though nominated at 80-years-old for an album that turns a blind eye to modern country music, you can probably guess he doesn’t care about them, either.
Plain White T’s reviewed
Plain White T’s Stop (Fearless) Given how loosely the Grammys regard the “Best New Artist” category — four of this year’s five contestants have been nominated for a second or third album — it was quite a surprise Lombard’s Plain White T’s didn’t get the nod. Fearless Records publicizing a reissue of the band’s second […]
Eazy-E reviewed
Eazy-E Featuring . . . Eazy-E (Capitol/Priority) This stray-tracks compilation of out-of-print pieces and collaborations cuts right to the essence of N.W.A founder Eazy-E, though such a feat is hardly difficult.
Hall & Oates live
Daryl Hall & John Oates UIC Pavilion, Chicago Friday, November 30, 2007 Commercial pop and soft rock from the late ’70s and early ’80s are in the process of a comeback, but we’re not just talking about the grocery store, overhead mall-speaker, and dentist office circuit. The scene’s forebearers are actually experiencing a cult-ish resurgence […]
This Is American Music reviewed
This Is American Music Hideout, Chicago Thursday, November 29, 2007 The Drams You can bemoan today’s youngsters, who aren’t aware there was a time when people actually paid for music and vinyl was more than a poor choice to upholster your car’s interior. But The Drams, Grand Champeen, Two Cow Garage, and Glossary went further, […]
Richard Hawley preview
Richard Hawley Abbey Pub, Chicago Thursday, December 6, 2007 If Richard Hawley wants to keep singing to his hometown, that’s fine by us. But it’s nice if he comes to Chicago once in a while to do it.
Most Serene Republic preview
The Most Serene Republic Beat Kitchen, Chicago Saturday, December 8, 2007 As the first band signed to Canadian label Arts & Crafts not associated in any way with Broken Social Scene or the many side projects of its varied roster of members, The Most Serene Republic, nevertheless, basks in the afterglow of its labelmates and […]
Aimee Mann preview
Aimee Mann Vic Theatre, Chicago Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Merry Christmas and a happy new Aimee Mann holiday tour! Last year’s inaugural holiday trek, a mix of music and standup comedy, apparently went well enough to convince Mann to give it a go again.
White Magic reviewed
White Magic Dark Stars (Drag City) Mira Billotte and Doug Shaw kind of bit off more than they could chew with last fall’s Dat Rosa Mel Apibus, which dropped about half of what it promised to deliver. They’ve found their way, though, in the Dark. Appearing: December 6th at Empty Bottle in Chicago.
Nellie McKay reviewed
Nellie McKay Obligatory Villagers (Hungry Mouse) Now that she has actually been part of a Broadway musical, Nellie McKay’s preference for Brill Building pop and showtunes could begin to hamper her. Appearing: December 11th at the Vic Theatre in Chicago.
Tulsa reviewed
Tulsa I Was Submerged (Park The Van) Tulsa are from Boston and sound like neither city. Their second EP (first physical), I Was Submerged, is as homeless as the wind that seems to blow through its seven tracks.
Against Me live!
Against Me House Of Blues, Chicago Wednesday, November 21, 2007 It’s often a blessing when punk bands keep their gigs short. Two-minute bursts of three-chord energy keep a moshpit on its toes and explosive, exhausting sets let everyone burn themselves out without fear of overdoing it. Yet at 50 minutes (including an encore) on Wednesday […]
Major Stars preview
Major Stars Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, November 29, 2007 Indie rock, despite fretboard pyros like J. Mascis and Doug Martsch, can’t shake its guitar-weenie reputation. For the most part it’s deserved, as columns of college rockers would rather have their taint hairs tweezed than sit through a tremelo-picked single-string run, culminating with a high “E” […]
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