Weekly
Thomas Ian Nicholas reviewed
Thomas Ian Nicholas Without Warning (self-released) The fact Thomas Ian Nicholas played “Kevin Myers” in the American Pie movies shouldn’t lead you to disparage his music. (He was also in Radio Flyer, Halloween: Resurrection, and some “Party Of Five” episodes if you think you need extra help forming your opinion.) The songs themselves are ammo […]
The Dresden Dolls live!
The Dresden Dolls Vic Theatre, Chicago Saturday, January 5, 2008 When you describe your music as “Brechtian punk cabaret,” like The Dresden Dolls do, you very well might be relegating yourself to underground, or cult status, for the length of your career. But something weird is happening with The Dolls: More and more people are […]
Lacona preview
Lacona Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, January 10, 2008 Since releasing two not-so-telling singles back in May, local outfit Lacona finally have a full-length release in hand. And the results curiously span a spectrum from glossy numbers akin to fellow area Ashlee Simpson-courting groups (minus the bombast, of course) to D.I.Y.-ethos barn burners.
Tomorrow Never Knows preview
Tomorrow Never Knows Festival Schubas, Chicago January 16 – 20, 2008 Schubas’ annual “January sucks” festival might be its deepest yet, featuring headliners John Vanderslice, Bobby Conn, The Redwalls, White Williams, and The Walkmen.
Lupe Fiasco reviewed
Lupe Fiasco Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool (Atlantic) It would be hasty to call Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool a sophomore slump, yet the second album from the righteous hometown rhymer isn’t as sonically satisfying as his 2006 debut.
Leigh Marble reviewed
Leigh Marble Red Tornado (Laughing Stock) Rootsy Portland singer-songwriter Leigh Marble has a crossbow full of rusty arrows ready for his second album, though its bookends have to duke it out with a soggy middle.
Back in the new year
Weekly Non-Update Illinois Entertainer would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday. Our next online update will be Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008. We hope to see you then.
Duran Duran live
Duran Duran Chicago Theatre, Chicago Friday, December 14, 2007 For those who think Duran Duran went off the deep end by working with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake on its new CD, step outside the ’80s and consider the basics. To start with, Red Carpet Massacre (Epic), is loaded with robust beats destined for the dance […]
Wu-Tang live
Wu-Tang Clan Metro, Chicago Saturday, December 15, 2007 Less than four months after successfully headlining the Rock The Bells hip-hop festival at Northerly Island, the Wu-Tang Clan returned to Chicago to kick off a 25-stop nationwide tour. Not so surprisingly, the group’s producer-on-the-mic, Rza, was the only absent member at the Metro.
Silverchair live
Silverchair House Of Blues, Chicago Thursday, December 12, 2007 In an iTunes-dominated era, five years is a lifetime between albums. It not only puts act’s longevity in jeopardy, but can find a fanbase shift a complete generation. Though Silverchair tempted fate by stalling for a half decade, the time was clearly well spent.
Chloe Day preview
Chloe Day Elbo Room, Chicago Wednesday, December 26, 2007 Perusing Chloe Day’s online picture gallery isn’t so different than listening to one of her CDs. It’s the same person in each one of those pictures, just like it’s the same voice on each one of those songs, but there are a lot of different personalities.
Mer preview
Mer Cubby Bear, Chicago Friday, December 28, 2007 Mer infuses a jazzy flair into the worn out genre of college rock. Like the O.A.R. of past (before they started purposefully writing radio singles), Edmer Abante — the man behind the pseudonym — breezily sings about unrequited love and relationships in an upbeat, bouncy tempo that […]
Holiday Food Drive
Metro’s Your Home For The Holidays The horn blast has sounded! Beckon the call ye college students, out-of-towners, and those still here to party with them by rolling down to Metro this weekend. Co-sponsored by WLUW and Chicago Independent Radio Project, a weekend of hot showcases doubles as a food drive.
The Ocean reviewed
The Ocean Precambrian (Metal Blade) Berlin-based prog metallers The Ocean take their chosen moniker seriously, filling the Precambrian seas with all manner of metal-related creatures.
Dewey Cox live!
Dewey Cox Cubby Bear, Chicago Thursday, December 6, 2007 South Side native and Brother Rice graduate John C. Reilly is a rock star. This designation may confuse anyone familiar with the Academy Award nominee’s past appearances in Chicago, Boogie Nights, and The River Wild because Reilly resembles Fozzy Bear more than Elvis. But, as Dewey […]
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