Empty Bottle 4/20/07 Mono, the experimental instrumental Japanese rock band led this night. However, I have to say, I was most impressed by World’s End Girlfriend than any of the other two bands, though Mono did create some nice sonic soundscapes. World’s End Girlfriend was something I really connected to emotionally. For a one man [...]
4/24/7 at Schubas in Chicago Richard Swift is lovely. He’s a man that is more interested in the poetic and the nature of feeling than in the catchy. He’s keen on the expression and insight into emotions more than the construction of a pop song. And yet, the songs are definitely not devoid of melody. [...]
The Subterranean in Chicago 4/9/07 As I sometimes find myself getting bogged down with too many reviews to write and photos to edit, sometimes Cinchel splits the reviewing part with me and did so again for the lush and beautiful (I mean, cello and violin…can anyone really go wrong with that?) A Northern Chorus which [...]
4/9/07 The Subterranean in Chicago I love Scotland and what I love even more are bands where the lead singer is unabashedly Scottish to the point you start recalling random paragraphs out of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. Such is the case of the up and coming Scottish band, The Twilight Sad, who apparently might be playing [...]
Schubas in Chicago 4/1/7 Cinchel wrote up this show on Radio Free Chicago. I wanted to second his feelings about the band and say how much I loved listening to them (not just because they are Canadian but also because they are extemely talented musicians.) I’ll also agree with the Will Oldham reminscence but also [...]
This night of arrogance began with 120 Days. Although I really like other of their fellow Norwegians-musicians like Saint Thomas and bands like Serena Maneesh, seeing 120 days was quite a disappointment. The music itself was actually alright-nice full sound and catchy with the four of the incredibly tall male musicians playing drums, keyboards, guitar [...]
So…I’ve been having a fairly good time here in Austin (though…it actually in some ways makes me appreciate Chicago alot more despite the cold weather). Having flown in on Wednesday, Cinchel and I have seen a ton of thrift stores, some art, and of course music. Last night, we went to Emo’s to see post [...]
3/29/07 Schubas Tavern in Chicago If anyone is going to lead Montreal’s psychedelic shoegaze music movement, The Besnard Lakes surely are the prime candidate. Combining elements of rock and just modern day vulnerable indieness, the complete sound is astounding both on album and live. Saturated with pedal effects, the billowing smoke which seemed strange at [...]
Empty Bottle 3/21/07 It’s not every day that one is privileged enough to see a band like OOIOO, a five piece Japanese experimental rock band headed by the famous Yoshimi P-We (birth name Yoshimi Yotoa). Yoshimi has made many great contributions to music; playing a historical part in the development of modern Japanese rock music, [...]
3/31/07 Logan Square Auditorium Chicago I love The Ponys. For years living in this city, I would see fliers lying around for their shows and previous albums like Laced With Romance and for some reason, I was unable to embrace them or to see their full potential. A couple of months ago, I was able [...]