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| basement tapes | concert reviews | cd reviews | interviews | ticket swap | music news |
 By Andy Argyrakis |
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Weekend Report: NKOTB is back, Liza's still a legend
Friday, June 4, 2010 Long before Justin Timberlake went solo from N Sync and the Backstreet Boys whittled down to a foursome, Boston's New Kids on the Block were the sole stars on the boy band scene and the subject of every screaming girl's fantasy. Though the group comprised of Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood took fourteen years off from recording and touring together, they've jumped right back into the teen pop craze's epicenter, selling just as many tickets as today's chart toppers Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. (Worth a shot - Friday, Saturday and Sunday at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino- Hammond, IN: www.thevenuechicago.com). She's an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winning actress/multi-platinum singer who just so happens to be the daughter of celebrity super couple Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. It's a one of a kind description that could only fit Liza Minnelli, who's incredibly storied career continues to wind down unpredictable avenues through today. Besides classic films like "Cabaret" and "New York, New York," the showbiz star recently found fame with younger generations playing  Lucille Austero on Fox's "Arrested Development" and just logged a soundtrack slot on "Sex In the City 2," covering none other than Beyonce's "Single Ladies." (Bet your life - Sunday at Chicago Theatre- Chicago, IL: www.ticketmaster.com).Summer's officially in the air now that Ravinia Festival is underway and this weekend's kickoff is sure to bring plenty of funk, soul and R&B-flavored sensuality. Believe it or not, the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire has never performed at the famed outdoor venue before, but that's all about to change as it brings dance in the aisle delights like "September," "Shining Star" and "Let's Groove" to the North Shore. (Worth a shot - Sunday at Ravinia- Highland Park, IL: www.ravinia.org). |
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Street Week: Futureheads find footing, Weller's stacked solo album
Monday, May 31, 2010 Between time fronting iconic punk outfit The Jam and the more soulful-minded Style Council, Paul Weller could've easily retired and collected royalty checks. But his solo career's proven increasingly prolific and fruitful, resulting in Wake Up the Nation (Yep Roc), which is said to be a return to his rebellious rock roots. Guests include My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields, Electric Light Orchestra's Bev Bevan and The Jam's Bruce Foxton. Though the Dixie Chicks killed their career in the conservative country scene with an overanalyzed political fallout, the group has steadily elevated its creativity and credibility throughout insurgent circles. The new Playlist: The Very Best of Dixie Chicks (Sony Legacy)  comes just in time for a summer tour supporting Eagles, collecting both commercial pinnacles and more challenging material, including coming of age tunes like "Not Ready To Make Nice" and "Lubbock Or Leave It."When The Futureheads first debuted in 2004, the group was instantly cast in the same class as sputtering retro rockers like Hot Hot Heat, Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes. Though the English outfit's endured ever since, it never earned the attention it deserved, even amidst a consistent catalogue that's always blended punk, alternative and garage rock with plenty of unpredictable twists. Such is the case once again on The Chaos (Dovecote Records), which as the title implies, finds the foursome exploding with jittery guitars, gang-like harmonies and its most direct onslaught of fist-pumping pleasers. |
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