There’s math rock, and there’s math rock. Then there’s Dick Wolf!. Calling them math rock is somehow an understatement. Their latest 7″, Entropy, is merely two songs and six minutes long (or 3 songs and nine minutes if you buy the digital download), yet there may be dozens upon dozens of riffs and/or parts. What makes this little slab of rock not a total clusterfuck of sounds is that Dick Wolf!, at their core, believe in melody.
By Ross Meyerson \ comments
Three chords. Some bands make a career out of three simple chords. Usually when you think about such a career, you think of the Ramones and with good reason. Chicago’s Merlin Wall seem poised to set sail on a similar yet sonically different path and with their debut EP, Crushin’ From Afar, they’ve proven that those three chords can still go a long way in the proper hands.
By Ross Meyerson \ comments
Who knew a record about agonizing heartbreak could be so groovy? On his debut album Love Is Not What You Need, Chicago singer-songwriter Sad Brad Smith shows that not all sad songs need equally depressing music to accompany them.
It’s still a mystery as to why Smith Westerns’ 2009 self-titled debut really caught so many people’s attention. Sure, it was a fuzzy rock record full of teenage enthusiasm, but it still sounded as if the band had some maturing to do. And yet before long, Pitchfork established Smith Westerns as a buzzband, they were signed to popular blues rock record label Fat Possum and snagged opening gigs for national acts such as Belle & Sebastian and MGMT.
How did these Chicagoland teens get swept up in such a whirlwind of fame and popularity? Well, if their new album, “Dye It Blonde”, proves anything – it’s that, for the most part, their buzzing success was justified. This time around, with a bigger budget and more resources, Smith Westerns wipe away the veil of lo-fi static in favor of glittering pop-rock that’s considerably inspired.
By Richard Giraldi \ 1 comment
The new album from Chicago alt-pop outfit Santah, will, to steal a seasonal reference, make your small heart grow three sizes. Titled White Noise Bed, it’s filled with candidly emotional lyrics all backed by upbeat, dueling guitar riffs, simple bass and keyboard lines, and catchy drum beats.
By Britni Day \ comments
Say “Hello” to Chicago’s Coping. Their debut cassette, Lawndale, gives us an opportunity to try to salvage another genre from the dustbin of history. This week it is emo. Yes, before guyliner, straightened bangs, and Hot Topic, emo used to be a pretty potent musical genre. Mostly the domain of early to mid-20 somethings raised on punk, emo took elements from its punk rock roots and combined them with emerging indie rock stylings. Some of your favorite bands are emo, you know. Sunny Day Real Eastate? Emo. Jawbreaker? Emo. Cap’n Jazz? EEE-MO! Coping? You guessed it. Emo.
By Ross Meyerson \ comments
It’s a big day for the Windy (and snow-covered) City’s indie/Americana circuit. After generating significant buzz over the past year, Chicago’s fun folk rockers, Dastardly, are finally dropping their bomb-of-a-debut album and will kickoff the grand release tonight at Schubas.
And yes, we realize that was a shameless public service announcement for hungry folk enthusiasts. So let’s go ahead and talk about the new Dastardly release, shall we?
By Jason Shough \ comments
Fake Shore Drive
Giant System Chicago
Lost In Concert
Outside The Loop Radio
The Deli Chicago
Underground Bee
Windy City Rock
WXRT
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