REVIEW: ALKALINE TRIO – AGONY & IRONY (2008)
Opening the sleeve of Agony & Irony (Epic Records, 2008), you pull out a rather simple, but elaborate disc with the retro font logo of Epic Records. Alkaline Trio’s first release with this label isn’t the pinnacle, nor the penultimate in their catalog, but is the strongest effort s
REVIEW: THE HOLD STEADY – STAY POSITIVE (2008)
A couple years ago, Cursive responded to The Ugly Organ (Saddle Creek, 2003) with a definite political-themed album interspersed with their unique spinning of entangled tales. Intertwining references continued with their fourth album, Happy Hollow (Saddle Creek, 2006).
Now & Then: The Anniversary and Dri
Years ago I opted out of doing the 1h20m drive into Chicago to catch a Kansas band, The Anniversary, a missed opportunity to this day. Signed to Vagrant Records since 1999, prior to Vagrant’s burst of activity-which continues to this day, The Anniversary blended indie pop and early
Now & Then: Past Lives and The Blood Brothers
Earlier this week I had to justify why Gogol Bordello put on the best show I had ever seen out of the roughly 200 bands I’ve seen in my time. It’s easy to top The Faint (who’s orchestrated better than the New York Philharmonic), but I had trouble justifying how they could b
REVIEW: GIRL TALK – FEED THE ANIMALS (2008)
Gregg Gillis released Feed The Animals (Illegal Art, 2008) today à la the new model, throwing Girl Talk‘s latest online while promising those who pay more will receive an eventual disc. It’s an effective mode to get your work out there now, assuming people know who you are o
REVIEW: LOS CAMPESINOS! – HOLD ON NOW, YOUNGSTER (2008)
Hold On Now, Youngster… (Wichita Recordings/ Arts & Crafts, 2008) is as enjoyable as a young child with a pop-up book bursting with excitement at the sight of a paper castle unfolding before their eyes. Now we all aren’t children and I’m bordering on being an ex-youngster (Ah! Graduation
THEORIZING: MUSIC SUBSCRIPTION MODELS
Source: Music biz looks at giving fans all the songs they want in exchange for broadband access fee (Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune) When the music industry shined upon subscription-based models, consumers buckled and approached it in a weary manner. There are users of Napster and Rhapsody who
REVIEW: DR MANHATTAN – DR MANHATTAN (2008)
Dr Manhattan heralds from Wauconda (déjà vu?-yep, see previous post on their record release show), or as most say “Northern Illinois.” They’ve proved hard to describe in conversation: pop punk, but more punk and dance punk with a dash of rock. Think heavy hitting dance drums c
CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOGRAPHY: DR MANHATTAN, RECORD RELEASE (MCHENRY, IL)
Dr Manhattan (Vagrant Records) just released their self-titled debut album last night, although it doesn’t hit stores until this Tuesday, March 11th. I’ll throw a review together soon, but I’ve been eating this album up ever since hearing their Are You Bald? EP that was released in December.