AltWeeklies Wire
One Soul LP, Hold the Soulnew
Fante's is a sanitized, smiley-faced soul with none of the guts or grandeur of his musical forefathers. Perhaps with time and experience he'll join their ranks; for now, he's a pleasant-enough accompaniment to a Frappucino. Also reviewed is Martina Topley-Bird's Anything.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
09-23-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Rewind, Ricky Fante
Pity the GOP Hipsternew
Even Republicans -- if they could get over the fact that 100 percent of sales proceeds go to godless, tree-hugging, wealth-redistributing deviants -- might actually like this CD. Also reviewed is Keren Ann's Not Going Anywhere.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
09-23-2004 |
Reviews
A Compilation More Safe Than Sorrynew
If anyone deserves a tribute album, it's the criminally underappreciated Escovedo, whose idiosyncratic songwriting -- a deeply personal amalgam of ragged roots-rock, haunted chamber-folk, righteous Tejano, corrosive country-punk, and countless other genres that haven't been identified yet -- is in a class of its own.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
08-26-2004 |
Reviews
Singer-Songwriter Anna Padgett Finds the Laugh in Heartbreaknew
Like the Naysayer's previous records, Kitten Time is a study in sparseness, a strange miniature built around droll observations and sly, minimalist guitar figures. Also reviewed is The Hungry Mind Review's self-titled album.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
08-19-2004 |
Reviews
Americana Beautynew
On this album, Jolie Holland doesn't just doll up hissy old 78s for the digital age; she taps into their timeless passions and creates something fresh and arresting, something that's hard and pure and anything but quaint. Also reviewed is Nina Nastasia's Dogs.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
08-12-2004 |
Reviews
Tipping Ever So Slightly to the Centernew
Even though Tipping is weaker that The Roots' last album, Phrenology, it still smacks the pants off most commercial-rap-radio fare.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
08-05-2004 |
Reviews
Songs That Demand to Be Hummednew
A honeycomb tangle of bright, sticky hooks and tart counterpoint, this disc teems with ideas. Also reviewed is Petracovich's Blue Cotton Skin.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-22-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: A.C. Newman, The Slow Wonder
The More Things Change...new
The sound of !!! is goofily anarchic, a jumble of scabrous funk, brittle postpunk, and pockmarked disco, a clanging, clattering, sample-studded din that suddenly opens up to reveal disquieting spaces. Also reviewed is Eleni Mandelli's Afternoon.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-15-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: !!!, Louden Up Now
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
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
