Spins
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 […]
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.
Bell Orchestre reviewed
Bell Orchestre As Seen Through Windows (Arts & Crafts) Step right up, step right up! Gather ’round and see if you can guess what the new Bell Orchestre albums sounds like! Need a clue? The band are from Montreal! They’ve toured with The Arcade Fire! It was recorded at John McEntire’s Soma Electronic, here in […]
Serpentcult reviewed
Serpentcult Weight Of Light (Rise Above) Rise Above Records released Blood Ceremony’s self-titled debut late last year and promised anybody who would listen a female-fronted version of Black Sabbath. What we really got was a female-fronted version of Jethro Tull. Far less cool. The label comes substantially closer with Serpentcult.
Mazes reviewed
Mazes Mazes (Parasol) This side-project from the South Side’s 1900s should naturally feel lonely without most of the members present. Appearing: Thursday, March 12th at Schubas in Chicago.
Susan Werner reviewed
Susan Werner Classics (Sleeve Dog) Adult-alternative singer-songwriter Susan Werner manages something unintended on her latest album. A collection of covers, some of what she calls Classics are nearly proven to be anything but. Appearing: Saturday, March 7th at Old Town School Of Folk Music.
The Low Anthem review
The Low Anthem Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (self-released) All three of Rhode Island’s musicians joined forces three years ago, and after two albums containing a sweeping overview of Western civ, record three lands in time for Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday. Appearing: Saturday, February 28th at Martyrs’ in Chicago.
Aidan Moffat reviewed
Aidan Moffat + The Best Ofs How To Get To Heaven From Scotland (Chemikal Underground) There was really nowhere for the droning, life-is-lost ache of Arab Strap to go. Aidan Moffat has accordingly hijacked his own sound and heaved it back into pop convention.
Vetiver reviewed
Vetiver Tight Knit (Sub Pop) There’s great temptation to disparage Devendra Banhart while exalting Andy Cabic, especially as one’s direction seems increasingly right while the other appears so temporary.
Sinatra reviewed . . . again
Frank Sinatra Seduction: Sinatra Sings Of Love/From The Heart (Reprise/Legacy) Whaddya know? Frank Sinatra sang some love songs. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, competing factions of his catalog have compilations ready.
Miles Davis reviewed
Miles Davis Kind Of Blue: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Set (Columbia/Legacy) It’s not difficult to understand why Legacy is re-releasing Kind Of Blue for its golden anniversary, though, knowing this occasion was imminent, it could have held off on the ones that preceded it. In fact, the label jumped the gun on the birthday last September, […]
Eddie Holstein reviewed
Eddie Holstein Eddie Holstein (self-released) The Holsteins are, if not the first family of Chicago folk music, on the short list of clans in consideration, which makes the happenstance of Eddie’s newest offering all the more charming. Appearing: Saturday, February 28th at Morgan Park Academy.
Middle States reviewed
Middle States Happy Fun Party (Effen) If I’m in Middle States, I’m not happy with The Hold Steady. It’s not enough that they actually expounded upon the purposefully retrograde Guided By Voices thing, but they’re also from the upper Midwest.
The Bad Plus reviewed
The Bad Plus For All I Care (Heads Up) The latest set of jazzed-out alt-rock hits from The Bad Plus suggests it’s time for the band to shit or get off the pot. Appearing: Friday, April 17th at Old Town School Of Folk Music.
Recent Comments