loudlooppress.com » Dan Henshaw

13
Jul
Surfer Blood – Astro Coast

This was a poorly timed release. Astro Coast, the debut album from Florida indie rock group Surfer Blood, was not suited for my headphones as I trudged through the Chicago snow last February. It’s best suited for now – when we’re nearing the dog days of summer and weekend trips to the beach are typical. Sure, I waited a few months until it warmed up to give it a proper spin, but I’m glad I did as the album is one of the flat out best guitar rock records released this year.

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26
Apr
Ornery Little Darlings – Ooh La La

On their Myspace page, Pilsen’s Ornery Little Darlings describe their sound as “a highly improbable ornery-as-hell-love-child between Billie Holiday and Lou Reed.” After going a few rounds with their debut EP Ooh La La, I can say the equation works, but it’s not my go-to shortcut to describe what I heard during the album’s brief 21 minute runtime.

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22
Apr
Daily Diversion – The Antlers at Lincoln Hall

Photo by Ben Ritter

Three reasons to plant a tree and then head on over to Lincoln Hall tonight…

1. Happy Earth Day! What better way to celebrate our beautiful planet than to check out indie-rock’s-next big-thing The Antlers, who are touring in support of Hospice. The greatness of which you’re probably well aware of by now, but if not check my review of it from last year.

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19
Apr
Sonoi – Sonoi

Having made their live debut about two years ago, local rock act Sonoi are now ready to release their self-titled debut album. Sonoi is Chicago musician Adam Busch’s new project, and features members of two other acts, Manishevitz and The Curious Digit. Their new album spends 51 minutes showcasing both a familiar rock and roll side and a chilled out, atmospheric side that combine to create a record that’s both inviting and quite interesting.

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12
Mar
Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM

Charlotte Gainsbourg has a pretty voice, but it’s more or less just that: pretty. What I mean to say is that she doesn’t possess a lot of range, which makes it all the more astonishing that her new album IRM is such an enjoyable listen. Despite her lack of raw vocal talent, the fourteen tracks that compose the album are a relatively varied and interesting bunch. Gainsbourg herself deserves credit here for switching up her style and delivery from song to song, but the real congratulations should be directed at Beck, who wrote and produced all but one of the album’s songs.

By Dan Henshaw \ 1 comment

17
Feb
Beach House – Teen Dream

beach-house-teen-dream

Do songs have temperatures? Are some albums cold, while others are warm? I think the answer is a resounding “yes”, and I’d wager I’m not alone in this. Some pieces of music just exude a certain warmth or chilliness. After two excellent albums of wintery tunes, Baltimore duo Beach House have decided to mess with the thermostat, and the result is an early candidate for album of the year, and possibly the best thing the band has released so far.

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1
Dec
Daily Diversion – The xx

Three Reasons to see The xx at the Bottom Lounge tonight…

1. The xx are one the best new bands of the year, with a unique, new sound that’s all their own.

2. So far during their live shows, they’ve been sticking pretty closely to their recorded material, which is just fine. If you remember, I had some good things to say about their debut a while back.

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