Dec 1, 2014
For November, weve got 13 capsule reviews from Alex Wood. A key track from each release is included in the embedded Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page.Neil Young- Storytone [11/4]Recorded live with a full orchestra, Storytone is yet another odd project by the endlessly productive Neil Young. The orchestral backing is lush, adding...
Nov 27, 2014
By: Alex WoodThe hype surrounding The Smashing Pumpkins Thalia Hall date was well deserved.The show was the bands first performance in hometown Chicago since 2011 and the first tour date to feature the groups newest lineup, all the while scheduled at an intimate venue the band had never played.The show featured Pumpkins members Billy...
Nov 25, 2014
Whatchoo Talkin' 'Bout Wills Tower Jam?Words:@312mrg| Photos: Daniel Peterson courtesy of musicfestivalcentral.comIt takes two elevator combinations to get to the 99th floor of the Willis Tower. Somewhere around floor 40 of my first, I struck up conversation with a guy from Philly who had just arrived in Chicago on Saturday and was just...
Nov 24, 2014
By: Alex WoodIt feels like a hometown show every time Pokey LaFarge plays in the Midwest.His music reflects having grown up in central Illinois and lived in St. Louis, with references to the areas country landscapes, roads and rivers throughout the songs, and audiences in the area never fail to connect to the imagery....
Nov 23, 2014
Brian Eno once famously claimed that the Velvet Underground had originally sold only 30,000 copies of their debut album, but everybody who bought one went out and formed a band.Only a few dozen souls braved frigid November night to see guitarist Chris Forsyth and his Solar Motel band at the Empty Bottle. Curiously, despite the...
Nov 23, 2014
By: Alex WoodAfter a straightforward and surprisingly normal acoustic set and interview at the MCA, Of Montreals Kevin Barnes showed his true colors during his solo performance at Schubas.The singers oddball sense of humor was intact for the entire show, but came out immediately as the singer compiled a Thanksgiving-themed list of things Im...
Nov 21, 2014
By: Alex WoodIts kind of intimidating to be inside the body of David Bowie, Kevin Barnes said before performing Queen Bitch.The song opened a short set of acoustic Bowie covers performed by Of Montreals singer at the Museum Of Contemporary Art as part of the David Bowie Is exhibit.Of Montreal has consistently drawn...
Nov 17, 2014
Words & Photos: Alex WoodFor a short tour, David Grisman and Del McCoury are celebrating a friendship and musical partnership lasting more than 50 years. The City Winery performance felt informal, as though two friends were looking back at the wild ride their bluegrass careers had taken them on, sharing stories and jokes while running through...
Nov 15, 2014
Photos & Reporting: Heidi PetersAn excited Friday night crowd was met by Metro owner Joe Shanahan, who came onstage to introduce the band -- celebrating the fact the Peter Hook first appeared with New Order at The Metro (then Cabaret Metro) in 1983, within the first year of Metro opening its doors.Metro is a venue...
Nov 9, 2014
Words & Photos: Alex WoodDespite his tendency to play small venues and living rooms, David Bazan appears to be at a comfortable point in his career. With a diehard fan base and a gigantic arsenal of well-crafted songs, his decision to record and tour with the Passenger String Quartet feels natural and almost inevitable.Choosing...