Latest blog headlines Susan Boyle, "I Dreamed a Dream" (Columbia) [1.5 STARS out of 4] (11/20/2009 8:17:33 AM) The Pixies at the Aragon (11/19/2009 10:28:57 PM) Rihanna, "Rated R" (Def Jam) [3 STARS out of 4] (11/18/2009 5:00:33 PM) The Jesus Lizard, back where it belongs (11/18/2009 4:52:30 PM) This weekend: Ian McLagan at Martyr's and a look back at Chicago's alt-era music scene with "Rewind" (11/18/2009 4:45:18 PM) Them Crooked Vultures, "Them Crooked Vultures" (DGC/Interscope) [2 STARS out of 4] (11/16/2009 10:37:39 AM) Demo2DeRo: Noise By Numbers (11/16/2009 10:30:00 AM) Bad Lieutenant cancels Chicago dates (11/12/2009 3:42:17 PM) Kid Sister finally gets ready to drop "Ultraviolet" (11/12/2009 12:14:08 PM) New albums from John Mayer and Norah Jones (11/11/2009 7:18:46 AM)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
