The beauty of Nicholas Urie’s debut CD lies in the details. Excerpts from an Online Dating Service is a marvelous experiment, bolstered by the unique anticipation found in the online dating scene. Urie, just 23 years of age, assembles a large ensemble to tackle the movement of the internet personal advertisement, turning the cultural landscape of internet encounters… [Read more…]
May 28, 2009
Something wonderful happens when passionate people draw together to play music. With Eastern Wind, an enchanting chain of compositions from the multi-talented Eliyahu Sills and the San Francisco Bay-based Qadim Ensemble, the passion is evident from the haunting opening notes through to the last stirring numbers. The voices and instruments swell with sumptuousness, filling traditional Jewish, Armenian,… [Read more…]
May 23, 2009
Based out of Winnipeg, The Perms hold well-crafted, enjoyable pop tunes as their stock and trade. Driven by convincing melodies and satisfying charm, the trio coaxes out bits of Sloan with their bold, energetic harmonies and hard-hitting guitar. The Perms are Shane Smith (bass and vocals), Chad Smith (guitar and vocals), and Jaime Carrasco (drums). The interplay… [Read more…]
May 13, 2009
So I’m sitting around sorting through a mundane stack of review materials and I’m getting drained by idiotic comments about how my lack of appreciation for this particular flash-in-the-pan shitstorm band makes me not a true music fan (right, ‘cuz not liking The Urgency means all of my love for Bob Dylan just ain’t so)… [Read more…]
May 9, 2009
With shades of a sort of electro rebirth of Sonny & Cher, MYNX is a vision of extreme. The duo of Ara and Holly energetically rocks your face off with pounding dancefloor magic. It all started with “I’m So LA,” the satirical single that brought MYNX out into the open. Now, with the release of… [Read more…]
May 6, 2009
Welcome to another edition of the ever-popular Get To Know series. This week, I’m proud to present to you Chicago post-rock gods Tortoise. Formed way back in 1990, Tortoise isn’t exactly a new band but BOY are they worth a listen if you haven’t heard them yet. They have a new album on the horizon, Beacons… [Read more…]
May 30, 2009
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