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
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 e
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 sinc
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 Th
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 wi
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 castl
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 subscr
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
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 togeth