|
|||||
| basement tapes | concert reviews | cd reviews | interviews | ticket swap | music news |
 By Andy Argyrakis |
||
Weekend Report: Some Lollapalooza leaders better than others
Friday, August 7, 2009 The mother of all Midwest festivals is about to roll into Chicago this weekend boasting yet another diverse (albeit not overly innovative) marathon line-up. The previously roaming and now stationary Lollapalooza descends upon Grant Park starting Friday as Depeche Mode leads the pack with its retro meets futuristic dance pop pulsations. Kings of Leon also earns the title of co-headliners, and though the garage rockers always put on an excellent live show, the band's still best in an intimate club. Others on the opening night's card include Thievery Corporation, Ben Folds and The Decemberists. Saturday's split between the hardcore heaviness of Tool and the punk turned dance stylings of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The latter is by far the pick of the night, filling in somewhat last minute for the ill fallen Beastie Boys, but boasting just as  much star power thanks to ferocious front woman Karen O. Also be sure to mark down TV On the Radio, Delta Spirit, Atmosphere, plus Coheed and Cambria.The grand finale night is actually the weakest of all three, spilt between the over saturated (and too big for its britches) The Killers, alongside a newly reunited (though unnecessarily for the umpteenth time) Jane's Addiction. Earlier acts like Lou Reed and Neko Case are by far the best of the bunch, but other throwaways include the over-hyped Vampire Weekend and downright silly Snoop Dogg. (Worth a shot - Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Grant Park- Chicago, IL: www.lollapalooza.com). |
||
Street Week: New tunes from Tantric, Modest Mouse
Monday, August 3, 2009 Even with massive amounts of fame under its belts, Modest Mouse remains a primary example of an indie act that broke the mainstream stratosphere, while maintaining its creative ideals the entire time. While most are familiar with 2004's mega-smash "Float On," die-hards are better known for devouring rare album tracks and scouting out exclusive singles. The latter faction of the group's fan base will like fall in love with No One's First and You're Next (Sony), which is basically a series of newly recorded songs from the We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank and Good News for People Who Love Bad News sessions, plus a pair of b-sides. Even with a decade in business, Tantric is generally best known for the smash single "Mourning" and a support slot opening for Creed during its original heyday. These days the band is trying to shake all stereotypical stigmas and just pound out a current alternative rock record loaded with crunching guitars and bellowing vocals.  Mind Control (Silent Majority) succeeds to a certain degree, even if it's impossible for the band to shed all of its nu-metal skin.Detroit's K'Jon drops his debut full length disc I Get Around (Universal Republic), falling somewhere in between old school and neo-soul. On one hand, he recalls the glorious artistic ghost of the legendary Marvin Gaye, while more modern day influences include Kem, Anthony Hamilton and Robin Thicke. No matter what the era, his bountiful pipes and sassy production are sure to make the rounds from the club to the bedroom. |
||