Spins
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.
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.
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.
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.
Peanut Butter Wolf reviewed
Peanut Butter Wolf 2K8 B-Ball Zombie War (Stones Throw) For this compilation, Peanut Butter Wolf’s task was simple: Create the soundtrack for “NBA 2K8,” one of the world’s most popular basketball video games. But he went and got all cerebral and shit. Appearing: Friday, November 30th at Abbey Pub in Chicago.
Jermaine Dupri compiled
Jermaine Dupri Y’All Know What This Is . . . The Hits (Island/Def Jam) Jermaine Dupri deserves acclaim because he has been a notable producer for 15 years. But if this 10-song collection were to be exhibit A, it’d imply nothing Dupri has done is classic.
Dan Wilson reviewed
Dan Wilson Free Life (American) In Dan Wilson, legendary producer Rick Rubin hears a songwriter for the ages — a natural talent in a business hung up on image and projection. I still hear the guy who made every night of my last two years in college end exactly the same: crooning “Closing Time.” Appearing: […]
Rock Four reviewed
Rock Four Memories Of The Never Happened (Cooking Vinyl) When you read mention of Israel’s Rock Four, the word “Beatles” is invariably invoked. Their influences are slightly more modern (and blustery — in a good way) than that.
Nyles Lannon reviewed
Nyles Lannon Pressure (Badman) Nyles Lannon’s role in his day band Film School seems clear — textures, textures, textures.
The Mabuses reviewed
The Mabuses Mabused (Magpie) Tangled in carnival mosaics and gymnasium big band while overdosing on Ray Davies, The Mabuses somehow squeeze out an album.
Tom Brosseau reviewed
Tom Brosseau Cavalier (FatCat) Reducing Tom Brosseau to just him and an acoustic guitar isn’t much of a pare down. A bigger test would be surrounding him with a marching band and patching some electrical tape over his yap. Appearing: Thursday, November 1st at Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago.
Magnet reviewed
Magnet The Simple Life (Filter) Magnet, aka Even Johansen, is proof you can’t bank a living on having one of your songs played on The O.C. Appearing: Friday, November 2nd at Vic Theatre in Chicago.
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