Subscribe   •   EasyPay   •   e-paper
Reader Rewards   •   Customer Service

Weather: WE'LL TAKE IT
Become a member of our community!

Jim DeRogatis
Blogs
Calendar of Events
Centerstage
Entertainment
Columnists
 


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Jim DeRogatis ::

Monday, November 23, 2009

Rihanna's fighting words on new CD
Jim DeRogatis: For all the talk of an edgier, angrier and more mature new Rihanna, it's hard to buy the re-emergent dance-pop singer as a towering pillar of feminine strength akin to Patti Smith, Courtney Love, Queen Latifah or Mary J. Blige. Nevertheless, "Rated R," the new album recorded in the wake of Rihanna's altercation with former boyfriend Chris Brown and arriving in stores today, is by far the best, most layered and most heartfelt effort of the 21-year-old artist's career.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Demo to Dero: Noise By Numbers
Despite the cheeky, hinting-at-generic sounds moniker, Noise By Numbers draws inspiration from the fertile ’80s indie-rock scene of Husker Du, the Replacements, Dinosaur Jr. and their ilk as well as classic Chicago punk sounds like Naked Raygun and the Effigies.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Susan Boyle's debut doesn't deserve hype it's getting
Jim DeRogatis: When it comes to tragic spectacles in this sorry age of reality television, beyond even the pathetic sight of Patti Blagojevich eating bugs on "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!," falls the obnoxious exploitation of Scottish homebody Susan Boyle.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Kid Sister already among Chicago's hottest acts
Jim DeRogatis: Born in Chicago Heights, Melissa Young didn't think a lot about the role of women in hip-hop. So while the 29-year-old artist -- now better known to the music world as Kid Sister -- is one of the most exciting voices to emerge on the scene since the heyday of Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Yo-Yo, she'd prefer to be known as a great rapper, period, instead of as a great female rapper.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Pixies: You get what you pay for
Black Francis and the Pixies, Boston's proto-alternative quartet that soared with 1989’s ‘‘Doolittle,’’ delivered a track-by-track performance of the inscrutable classic Thursday at the Aragon Ballroom and even sold recordings of the show to fans on the way out.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Tribute remembers Buckley's brief but profound impact
Jim DeRogatis: Second only to Kurt Cobain, a decade and a half later, Jeff Buckley stands as the most influential -- and tragic -- musician to impact the fertile music scene of the '90s. His slippery, soulful voice and penetrating songs continue to touch legions of fans, and his legend looms ever larger.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Friday, November 6, 2009

Lucky stars unite for Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
Jim DeRogatis: In addition to being an extraordinarily talented group of singers, songwriters and musicians, as well as some of the nicest people you’ll meet on the Chicago rock scene, the biggest reason for the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir’s success is that no local band works harder. Now the beloved group is crawling back to life after the catastrophic automobile crash the group suffered on Sept. 24.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Demo2DeRo: Denise La Grassa
A veteran of the Second City Touring Company, suburban Chicago native Denise La Grassa made her mark in that talented troupe with a bit called "Make-A-Song," writing and performing tunes on the spot based on any topic the audience shouted out. That loose, carefree and immediate vibe still permeates her third album, the recent DIY release "April Dreams," but don't let it fool you into thinking the music is tossed-off.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Clubs so loaded with fun Halloween shows, it's scary

As much as the legions of tiny trick-or-treaters who'll fill the city streets this weekend, Chicago's always-vibrant underground rock scene loves Halloween.

Bob Dylan typically atypical in concert
Jim DeRogatis: Bob Dylan's new disc of massacred holiday standards is a miserable listening experience. But thankfully there wasn’t a harsh, croaking rendition of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing" in evidence Thursday night as the favorite son of Hibbing, Minn., played the first of a three-night stand at the Aragon Ballroom.

suntimes.com

Search Classifieds

View Subcategories

Start Building

I want to start
creating my ad right away.

Start Building

Register

I'd like to set up my account first, then create an ad.

Register

Login

I've already registered, and I'm ready to place an ad.

Login

Contests & Sweepstakes

Check out our contests & sweepstakes and find out how to enter for a chance to win great prizes!