As much as I love Chicago’s diverse music scene, my heart still belongs to all things loud as fuck. Loud as fuck is an understatement when describing Bongripper’s doom and stoner metal ways. Their new album, the ridiculously named Satan Worshipping Doom, features four 10-plus minute tracks of slow, deep, bowel rattling metal that rests firmly in the doom and stoner metal genres while hinting at a touch of post-metal, a smidge of black metal, and a pinch of old school thrash. It’s these trace elements that makes Satan Worshipping Doom rise above what can be a tedious genre for those with weak stomachs.

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Garage poppers Tyler Jon Tyler prove even minimalist rock has enough power to knock your socks off. The Chicago trio utilize short, jangly pop-rock tracks to get in and get out before the listener knows what hit them.

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Chicago soft-hearted indie rockers Hemmingbirds seem to have released their debut with a completely misleading title. Death Wave finds the band having created a sweet, happy-go-lucky record filled with dreamy-eyed lyrics and plenty of strings. Heavily influenced by modern favorites like Arcade Fire, Fleet Foxes and holding touches of pre-80’s inspired Yeasayer, Hemmingbirds find their biggest strength in that they’re able to not only create some endearing melodies, but melodies that ring with emotion.

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Chicago rock scene veterans Henry Bianco and Brad Sawicki (Company of Thieves, Tom Schraeder and His Ego) unleashed their second EP, Sick City, under the name Volcanoes Make Islands this summer. The four-song record mixes and mashes up a variety of influences that would not work if in less capable hands. Bianco and Sawicki come at the listener with songs containing trace elements of dance, noise rock, pop, folk and groovy psychedelics that stay with you long after the Sick City ends.

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Yes, comparisons can be made to Animal Collective when talking about Chicago’s Netherfriends. They both share a lushness and obsessive love of overdubs. That said, never once while listening to Netherfriends debut, “Barry and Sherry” did I find myself yelling in my head, “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” like I do when Animal Collective is playing. Shawn Rosenblatt, the man behind Netherfriends, feels way more interested in giving us songs rather than noises on top of noises. For this we should be grateful. Barry and Sherry is an album full of quirky, psychedelic pop songs that usually feel fleshed out with just the right amount of instrumentation.

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For many up-and-coming bands, getting coverage on music blogs and online publications is difficult, but retaining that buzz is even harder. One way to at least stay in the picture is to not go into hibernation, but to continue to pump out music so to remain relevant. Chicago’s art rock duo My Gold Mask are using this formula to ensure the buzz they garnered from their excellent January 2010 EP, A Thousand Voices, doesn’t fizzle out. The year isn’t even done, and already we have a a brand new four-track EP from the duo of Gretta Rochelle and Jack Armondo that shows a different, more pop-friendly approach to their sound but is just as mesmerizing.

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Everything old is new again on Scott Lucas and the Married Men’s Absolute Beginners EP. Lucas and his six-member crew capture the spirit of the band’s live show by showcasing its talent for fuller arrangements and extended jam sessions. Continue Reading…