AltWeeklies Wire
Haunted by High Expectations, Wilco Produces a Minor Ghostnew
Ghost is far from awful -- in fact, it's often painfully lovely -- and, if you can get past the occasional proggish pretense, the interminable stretches of pure noise, and some embarrassing lyrical missteps, you'll find much to admire.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-08-2004 |
Reviews
Sound Patrolnew
AltWeeklies Award - Music Criticism
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
07-02-2004 |
Media
Remain the Same, or Reinventnew
Most artists survive by reinventing themselves. But rock star Patti Smith, like God and Edith Piaf, is eternal. Also reviewed is "Uh Huh Her" by PJ Harvey, who is in some ways Smith's heir and in others her opposite.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-02-2004 |
Reviews
Outright Confessions, Fevered Dreamsnew
Like its predecessors, "i" is organized on the basis of a conceit (both definitions of the word might apply): All of the song titles begin with the ninth letter of the alphabet and appear in alphabetical sequence.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
06-18-2004 |
Reviews
A Murmur That's Sexy and Compellingnew
Although Sam is no longer pigeonholed as a religious songwriter, she still sings about the state of her soul, the temptation to succumb to despair or hedonism, the need to glean meaning and hope from the dispiriting vastness. A second review is of Jay Farrar's "Stone, Steel & Bright Lights."
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
06-14-2004 |
Reviews
