AltWeeklies Wire
The Lady Lou Bouncenew
The first female rapper from St. Louis to score a major-label deal, Ebony Eyez seems fully aware of her precedent-setting achievement -- and maybe a bit defensive about it, too. Also reviewed: Minotaur Shock's Maritime.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
11-03-2005 |
Reviews
Not Your Typical Narcissistnew
Iconoclastic singer/songwriter Count Marc Anthony Thompson, using the name Chocolate Genius, takes an autobiographical approach that is far removed from the post-folky narcissism of his inferiors.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
10-28-2005 |
Reviews
Hard to Label This Applenew
Dissatisfied with the first version of her CD, Fiona Apple went back to the studio with a new producer: The result is opium instead of ecstasy.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
10-21-2005 |
Reviews
A Triumph of Soul Over Stylenew
A jazz tribute to Pavement sounds like a bad idea, but it would be a shame to dismiss Gold Sounds on the basis of its gimmick.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
10-21-2005 |
Reviews
Weirdly Endearing Torture Musicnew
The quintet that grew out of the one-man band Skeletons is as bourgeois-averse as ever. Also reviewed: Petracovich's We Are Wyoming.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
09-23-2005 |
Reviews
Love, Indispensable and Inadequatenew
Pixel Revolt sounds so fantastic we'll forgive you for not noticing the lyrics immediately.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
09-09-2005 |
Reviews
Every Track a Money Shotnew
It’s impossible to imagine a band more devoted to excitement, more single-minded in its pursuit of satisfaction, more successful in replicating the arousal/gratification cycle without becoming monotonous.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
09-02-2005 |
Reviews
Rescued from Obscuritynew
Instead of fighting hippie excess with speed, volume, and a few choice barre chords, the Groovies embraced melody, economy, and reverb-kissed riffs. Also reviewed is Puerto Muerto's Songs of Muerto County.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
08-26-2005 |
Reviews
Touring the Prairie Statenew
Before writing the CD's 22 songs, Stevens buried himself in books, reading everything from Saul Bellow novels to out-of-print regional histories to familiarize himself with the state of Illinois, and he produced an emotionally authentic work of art.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
08-22-2005 |
Reviews
Lizz Wright Gets It Rightnew
Even if she’s not exactly revolutionizing jazz vocals, Lizz Wright is by no means an industry-issued knockoff, and this, her second album, reveals a singer of exceptional promise.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
08-17-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Dreaming Wide Awake, Lizz Wright
A Bit of a Pillnew
Swedish chanteuse Stina Noderstam's so good, you'll forget she's annoying.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
08-05-2005 |
Reviews
The Real Dealnew
Dwight Yoakam is a purist and a
reactionary, but that doesn’t make him any less of a rebel.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
08-05-2005 |
Reviews
Balancing Contrary Forcesnew
If Joe Pernice's Discover isn’t a radical departure, it’s a highly enjoyable variation, proof that some artists are just plain good enough that they don’t need to reinvent themselves with every new release.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
07-25-2005 |
Reviews
SV Mach-IInew
The first new Son Volt full-length in seven years boasts exactly one original member: Jay Farrar, the band’s founder, frontman, and songwriter. Still, the album rocks like a rock band, sounding more like vintage Son Volt than solo Farrar.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
07-15-2005 |
Reviews
Party Like It's 1964new
Originality is in short supply these days, so ripping off the Beatles -- especially when a band does it as competently and as pleasurably as the Redwalls do -- is no worse than ripping off any number of currently fashionable influences.
Illinois Times |
Rene Spencer Saller |
07-11-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: The Redwalls, De Nova
