Reviewsic [ri-vyoo-zik] -noun: Music worth talking about

Chicago’s Algren is announcing a release date of April 2009 for their first full-length album, A Wayward Sound Floods the Streets. A double whammy, this album is accompanied by a graphic novel, something I haven’t seen done by a local band since North Carolina’s The Never released Antartica. The album and book will be sold together at their shows and various independent music and book stores in the Chicago area.
Short but sweet, the graphic novel is an abstract work about one characters struggle to fight corruption amidst the destruction of his city. The story shares the views of Algren, many of whose songs reflect on the consumerism and cultural decay of societal resignation.
Algren brought the graphic novel idea to Chicago writer Jason Hissong and Wisconsin based artist Brian Defferding of Deftoons Comics and Illustration (www.deftoons.com) Where it took life thanks to their careful skill and the influence of Wayward Sound’s eleven tracks. If fans read closely they’ll see song titles and lyrics incorporated into the story, and are sure to feel the connection between Defferdings illustrations and Algren’s music.
The album itself was recorded at Gremlen Studios by Sam Beckley, who has previously worked with Algren on demos and single session recordings. The tentative release date for A Wayward Sound Floods the Streets is Saturday, April 4th at Reggie’s Rock Club (www.reggieslive.com)

Listen to Algren here


Algren will also be playing at The Elbo Room this Friday, February 27th

Monday February 23rd at Schubas’s (www.schubas.com)
FREE 21+ 9pm
Brighton, MA
The Deep Vibration
Love Raid

Tuesday, February 24th at The Elbo Room (www.elboroomchicago.com)
Show 8pm $7 21+
The Odyssey
Blackbeard
Mad Minute
Chris Corsale

Wednesday February 25th at The Bottom Lounge (www.bottomlounge.com)
Show 8pm 21+
The Code Kids
The Sky We Scrape
Samantha

Thursday, February 26th at Reggie’s (www.reggieslive.com)
8pm 17+
Brownline Fiasco
The Clergymen

Friday, February 27th at Schuba’s (www.schubas.com)
21+ 10pm $10
Aqueduct
The Foundry Field Recordings
Light Pollution

Friday, February 27th at Subterranean (www.subt.net)
Doors 7:30 Show 8pm $10 All Ages
Yoome
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
Jeremy Cox

Saturday, February 28th at Subterranean (www.subt.net)
Doors 9pm Show 9:30pm $10 17+
These Arms Are Snakes
Darker My Love
All the Saints

Illinois’s Kid, You’ll Move Mountains released their latest creation, Loomings this past January at the Metro. A venue couldn’t be better suited for the innovative yet eclectic and classic sound Kid, You’ll Move Mountains offers, particularly with these nine songs.
On the scene since 2006, KYMM is comprised of a line up of local darlings- brothers Nate and Andrew Lanthrum of Troubled Hubble, Inspector Owl’s Corey Wills and Jim Henke from Milwaukee’s El Oso. The Kid also features classically trained pianist Nina Lanthrum. Together they deliver a sound that is fresh, well thought out, and entirely invigorating.
Loomings in itself is impressive- from its aesthectically pleasing artwork to its overall production, this album gleams with professionalism. Though the album is available for purchase on iTunes, I suggest buying a physical copy.
Lyrically Loomings is poetic but not pretentious, a collection of tales of good and bad, love and loss, hate and rebirth. One of the biggest attention getters of this release is the fact that it’s totally devoid of the typical verse-then-chorus structure so common to indie/pop bands, and yet is unbelievably catchy. Kid, You’ll Move Mountains is able to reel in its audience without relying on choruses of group clapping and nonsensically shouted stanzas. There’s also a certain element of intimacy in this album, which I feel comes from the personal connection that happens when bands self produce (Andrew Lanthrum and Corey Wills recorded Loomings).
Though Kid, You’ll Move Mountains is pretty unique, there are some obvious influences that they kept in mind while writing. Specifically the spacey sounds of Minus the Bear, most obvious in ‘I’m a Song from the Sixties” and the subtle ambience of ‘No Applause’ that’s very much in the same vein as Explosions in the Sky. Overall the band has the same semi-theatrical quality of Lake County’s Ammi (RIP 2007), some of the lightness of Annuals, and could definitely tour alongside Lovedrug.
Jim Hanke’s vocals are warm and a little raw, and much improved over the years. Personally I never had a problem with Hanke’s sound, but in the past few years it definitely has become better with time. Combined with accents from Nina Lanthrum, there’s a very relaxed and harmonious quality within this quintet. Nina’s piano is most prominent and delightful in ‘West’ and ‘And Open Letter to Wherever You’re From’, her obvious skill adding a very particular element to KYMM. Percussion and Bass of brothers Nate and Andrew Lanthrum are consistently seamless, and sometime spacey guitar of Corey Wills is the piece de resistance to this group. Gritty without being grimy, KYMM has a highly polished and thoughtful sound, impressive both recorded and live. Anyone with a true interest in the art of Indie will check them out and pick up Loomings the next chance they get.

Kid, You’ll Move Mountains will be releasing Loomings in Milwaukee at the Cactus Club TONIGHT with:
The Chairs
Elusive Parallelograms
Disguised as Birds
9pm 21+

Upcoming Chicago dates for KYMM:
3/20- The Empty Bottle (WLUW Showcase) (www.emptybottle.com)
Johnny Rumble
Baliff
DJ set by Pretty Good Dance Moves

4/3- The Beat Ktchen (www.beatkitchen.com)
Say Hi (to your mom)
Telekinesis
9pm 17+ $10 adv/$12 at the door

This past January I was lucky enough to discover a very unique venue tucked in among buildings of Halstead in the UIC area called the E.P. Theater. Part show venue and part professionally working theater, the E.P was decorated in a vintage mish mash of creativity that just felt fresh comfortable. It seems entirely appropriate now that this venue should also be the place I discover a band called Color Radio.
Playing to us out of Chicago, this scruffy faced foursome combines spacey guitars, keys, and vocals slightly reminiscent of Silver Chair and Muse, to bring a sound that is inviting and entirely soothing. Percussion that’s rhythmic and smooth though a little understated, add to the ambience brought on by Color Radio.
In 2008 they released the EP Feeling Like You Used To, recorded with Brain Zieske (Sars Flannery, The Hush Sound) and since then has been working tirelessly to get themselves heard. Short but sweet, the EP and their live set gives a sound similar to Coldplay, As Tall As Lions, and Death Cab For Cutie. The Death Cab similarity is limited to the instrumentals of the band, some of which sound like they could have been pulled right out of DCFC’s last release Narrow Stairs. Beyond that Color Radio’s individuality comes from their combination of atmospheric sound and the quality of their vocalist’s timbre.
I recently saw Color Radio play at the Subterranean (www.subt.net) along with Damiera and the much adored, Lovedrug. Initially the room wasn’t packed, maybe a crowd of 40-50, most hanging back by the bar or in the balcony and chatting as Color Radio opened. The band didn’t delve into any show boat-y bravado and just dove into their opening song, something that I appreciate being done by any band. As the song progressed the crowd slowly but surely came up to the stage, and as it came to a close I’m pretty sure they had most everyone’s attention. Performance wise this band is pretty mellow, with out much movement save for the bounces and leaps coming from front man Jonathan Ifergan. That’s not to say their performance is boring, it just seems to hold more focus than showmanship. Jonathan obviously knows the talent he’s working with- the control and use of his voice live is absolutely impeccable.
Despite a few hiccups (a melodic fill for Ifergan’s guitar switch that didn’t go so smoothly, a slight loss of synchronicity in their last song) this band plays extremely polished and professionally. They seem to have big plans for 2009, and I would suggest anyone who appreciates ambient indie to look out for them.

Color Radio will be playing at The Bottom Lounge (www.bottomlounge.com)

www.myspace.com/colorradio

Sunday, February 15th at The Double Door
Show at 9pm $5

Jerome Holloway [www.myspace.com/jeromeholloway]
Todd Kessler [www.myspace.com/toddkessler]
Ashton Likes [www.myspace.com/ashtonlikes]
Kevin Prchal [www.myspace.com/kevinandrewprchal]

Sunday, February 15th at Schuba’s [www.schubas.com]
18+ $8
David McMillin [www.davidmcmillinmusic.com]
Kelsey Wild [www.myspace.com/kelseywild]

Monday, February 16th at Reggie’s Rock Club [www.reggieslive.com]
21+ Show 9pm
Sugarfoot [www.myspace.com/sugarfooted]

Tuesday, Feburary 17th at Schuba’s [www.schubas.com]
18+ 9pm $15 [SOLD OUT]
The Submarines [www.myspace.com/thesubmarinesmusic]
The Morning Benders [www.myspace.com/themorningbenders]
Kyle Andrews [www.myspace.com/kyleandrews]

Wednesday, February 18th at The Beat Kitchen [www.beatkitchen.com]
Doors at 9pm Show at 9:30 21+ $8
T Duggins (Of the Tossers) [www.myspace.com/tduggins]
Sunday for Regret [www.myspace.com/closetsquatters]
The Fist Cuffs [www.myspace.com/thefisticuffs1]

Thursday February 19th at The Beat Kitchen [www.beatkitchen.com]
Doors at 6pm Show at 6:30 $8/adv $10 at doors
We Are the Union [www.myspace.com/wearetheunion]
Rule 22 [http://www.myspace.com/rule22]
The A-Gang [www.myspace.com/theagang]

Friday February 20th at The Metro [www.metrochicago.com]
Doors at 6pm $8
Snowsera [www.myspace.com/snowsera]
Urbanites [www.myspace.com/urbanites]
The Moves [www.myspace.com/themoveschicago]
The Noise FM [www.myspace.com/thenoisemusic]

Friday, February 20th at The Subterranean [www.subt.net]
17+ Doors at 9 $8
I Kong Kult [www.myspace.com/ikongkult]
Freddie T. and the people [www.myspace.com/freddietandthepeople]
Orso [www.myspace.com/bintofamily]

Saturday February 21st at The Metro [www.metrochicago.com]
Doors at 5:30 Show at 6pm $10
Love me Electric [www.myspace.com/lovemeelectric]
American Taxi [www.myspace.com/americantaximusic]
Danger is my middle name [www.myspace.com/dimmn]
The Insecurities [www.myspace.com/theinsecuritiesmusic]
Dear Noel [www.myspace.com/dearnoel]

A gem of individuality among the Chicago music scene this 7-piece band formed in 2007 and has been putting smiles on the faces of Cook County ever since.
A recent release Super-tactical Turbo Ultrascope Demo is five songs of catchy choruses, boppy instruments, and slightly nonsensical lyrics. With a taste much in the same vein as The Flaming Lips and Boy Least Likely Too, Glittermouse has a its own distinct sound. Front man Michael Koester is accompanied by the lovely vocals of Emily Sorlie and Shauna Eng, which just prove that mix gender vocals should be used more often.

Songs like “Wake Up and Dream” and “Cary on Cadillac” are full of upbeat lyrics sending a very Mr. Rogers-esque message that ‘You are special’ and we can do something with ourselves- with just a hint of saltiness. (Change your mind/Change your life/Change the world and do it all before you die) From the every day man to that guy running around catching butterflies (Listen to Red Balloons) we matter.

Musically Glittermouse has some extreme genius hidden beneath their marshmallow-y exterior. Not a single song on this demo sounds like the other, each with its own defining characteristic, just like the members of this big band. “Touched” is slow and sweet, with haunting vocals from Koester, “Wake Up and Dream” opens with an alarm clock and a sound of command, while “Eyeballs” can best be described by its whilry guitars and cymbal dominated drums.

Glitermouse is a natural crowd pleaser, full of gimmicks and a hodge podge of personalities on its stage. Balloons, bubbles, taking advantage of “oh la la’s” and clap challenges are a big part of this band, something that will catch the attention of any passerby. The early days of Glittermouse included painting from Ben Ward, which would start with the opening song and with the finished piece be auctioned off at the merch table after the show, as well as musically synched video gaming and slideshows from Jake Hillis- both things that some Glittermouse fans might have been missing at recent shows. New gimmicks include instructional videos for performing the ever elusive “Red Balloons” clap, balloon etiquette, and a very special Glittermouse infomerical. The demo itself, while available for download online, also comes in a variety of unique covers as a physical copy, all hand made by Glittermouse.

With all these great attributes one might ask “Can Glittermouse do wrong?” And that answer to that question is: yes and no. Musically, there is great potential and promise between these Chicago twenty-somethings. However, when big personalities come together, people are bound to bump heads. Normally a little tension under the surface isn’t anything to mark a group down for, but in recent months there has been a tendency for apparent cattiness on stage, and bawdy remarks during shows. But look at it this way: Glittermouse is a essentially a family of 7 kids living under one roof, so there’s bound to be a little bratiness, right? Call it sibling rivalry.
All in all Glittermouse is a band that, while maybe a little slow coming, is working toward something big, and has the full potential to reach it.

Lake County, IL doesn’t seem to be the place you’d find good punk, but locals The Revision Plan are reason enough to beg to differ. Not only was Lake County home to the once infamous venue Pirate Studios in Grayslake, IL, it has produced inspiration for this three piece punk band through a number of talented locals. Two years in the making The Revision Plan has been working hard, playing tirelessly around the Chicagoland area and sharing the stage with such bands as Counterpunch, Rule 22, and She Likes Todd. Melodic and fast paced, much like their influences The Swellers and Much the Same, The Revision Plan comes to their audience with energy, talent, and most importantly- passion.
Their recent release Navigations (January 23rd 2009) is a six song E.P., full of all the drive and precision promised in their live performances. With lyrics stemming beyond the traditional misconception of punk being all about anarchy and PBR, their words are a call for change in oneself, moving on, and ultimately what the title track is about: navigating life. The consistency of the message they deliver is something to be appreciated, but one has to hope that they broaden their horizons as far as lyrical content goes in the future. Lines like “You’ve sought out what you’ll never find the truth lies vaguely near/Life is shouting at you friend, but now you’ve covered up your ears” in ‘Tentative Precision’ are well written, but can only tout their message so many times before it all starts to sound the same.
The Revision Plan tastefully takes influence from many bands, two of the most apparent being Alkaline Trio and early Ryan’s Hope. Hearty drums from Marcus Nuccio, thriving bass from Dustin Karasek, and rapid guitar from Garik Niffenegger all combine to make music that demands you to move around. Niffenegger’s vocals fall somewhere between Denis Buckley (88 Fingers Louie, The Story So Far, Zero to Sixty) and early Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day, Pinhead Gunpowder, The Network, Foxboro Hot Tubs) appealing to even those apprehensive of Punk.
This three-piece band shows heart and promise, and we think Chicago can look forward to seeing more of them in the coming years.

www.myspace.com/therevisionplan

Navigations is available at:

Chicago band Picture Books are selling a limited number of physical copies of their EP Rochelle, Rochelle via C.D. Baby (http://cdbaby.com/cd/picturebooks2) - and I suggest you get one while you still can.
The five-piece band originally formed in 2007, and in the same year released their first album Maybe if we run. Rochelle, Rochelle, recorded by Mike Lust (Chinup Chinup, Sybris , William Elliot Whitemore) and released January 2nd, is the first of what is promised to be a series of 2009 releases, each an EP courtesy of Bearnose Records.
With a sound reminiscent of more recent Nada Surf, Picture Books are the epitome full band Indie. Drums that catch you right in the chest, melodic piano accompaniment, and driving guitar make up their seamless fusion of sound. Songs like “Short Breaths” and “Rockets Don’t Go to Chicago, Andy” are accented with charming twinkles and a choir of “Ooh’s” along with their attention grabbing choruses, “Bear with Me” creates a capturing song out of just a few lines (Verging on the edge of majesty. Steadfast in our uncertainty. But before this town becomes the death of me, take my hand and one last breath with me.) “Out of State, Out of Mind” captures apathy in the least angst-y way, with an upbeat tempo, clever title and last lines “So we’ll sit on our stoops and smoke cigarettes and drink lots of beer and make some regrets because that’s what you do when you don’t really care” With all the makings of a great band, its no wonder they’ve graced venues with such good reputations as The Metro, The Beat Kitchen, and Schuba’s along with a number of other Chicago favorites.
Pictures Books is one of those musical finds you wish you would have stumbled upon earlier, but lucky for those of us slow to catch on, they have plenty more in store.

[www.myspace.com/picturebooksmusic]

Following up 2006’s Alright, Still- a Myspace minor to Internet celebrity making album, Lilly Allen presents us with It’s not me, It’s You. Full of the same charming quirkiness as her last release, Allen’s follow up record does not disappoint.
While her last album had a delightful retro pop-meets reggae sound thanks to producer Mark Ronson, she made the right move making It’s not me, It’s You with Greg Kurstin. This album has a wider spectrum of style and is a full-blown display of character driven pop.
To call Lily Allen a pop singer seems almost an insult in comparison to the fabricated images we conjure up when we think of the modern day pop star. More than any artist I know of Allen presents her precocious and cheeky personality completely uninhibited, being just the right amount of sweet and salty.
While this album has a few songs that move in a different direction, like “Him” a Joan Osbourne-esque conversation about what the Good lord may be like (Allen thinks his favorite band is Creedance Clearwater Revival) and the achingly sweet “Who’d have known” tracking the transition from just friends to more. Fans who love her tongue in cheek lyrics, will appreciate the are gems of goading on this album. Mocking celebrity in “The Fear” and berating a clingy guy before taking him in for a one-night stand in “Never Gonna Happen” Lily is full of cutting couplets and lines so snarky they’re sweet.
Along with sharp-witted lyrics It’s not me, It’s you is littered with inventive beats and musical influence. “Not Fair” features a sound reminiscent of the Old West, and “He Wasn’t There” has all the grainy wholesomeness of a 1930’s vaudeville hit.
Twelve tracks of catchy tunes and biting lyrics, It’s not me, It’s you is a highly anticipated album that did anything but disappoint, and can only be expected to take off the same way Allen’s first release did. While Allen has a love-hate relationship with the press, her fans stand by her light heartedness, respect her straight forward writing, and have learned from her not to take anything too seriously-something I hope she continues to hold onto in her music.

[www.myspace.com/lilymusic]

What Rock, Rolls, and melts faces all over?
No one better than the soon to be notorious Kansas City natives Snake Eater. Coming hard and fast at the rest of the 50 states from Missouri, Snake Eater is a rare find of pandemonium and precision, of chaos and control, of- dare I say it? Hardcore Rock and Roll. One can see the obvious judgments and preconceptions a band named Snake Eater may face, but with one listen anyone can see that this band does anything but fall into the traps of pseudo machismo so common in the “tough guy” hardcore scene. Their recent release Snake Eater Presents: The Rock and Roll Apocalypse is composed of pure adrenaline, the perfect album to get rowdy to.
Creative song titles such as “Planet Death” and “ Anne Franks Blind Date: Who the Fuck is Helen Keller?” much like their band moniker, are deceiving in that they don’t let you in on the well thought out and impressive music to be had. The “oh face” inducing guitar handed out in the first track “Bitch, You Knew I was a Snake” is just one example of the real talent that lies within this band. From Matt Wood’s driving bass to the intensity delivered by drummer George Schmitz (who is currently playing drums on tour with Century Media/Sumerian’s Stick to Your Guns) there is true thought and planning put into a Snake Eater song. Not to mention the guitar coming from Jon Oddo and Dan Peters is nothing short of face melting, Vocals delivered by Chris Wood are harsh but audible, something that is much appreciated in a world full of pig squeals and Grindcore screeching.
Lyrically Snake Eater offers a message without the messiah, begging for us all to “Believe in something, Believe in your fucking self” While some lyrics, like those in “Knock out Champ of the World” speak of corruption in modern day religion (“Show me the face of a dead President and I’ll show you the face of God. This is the immaculate deception”). These musicians make it clear that they aren’t here to tell anyone what to think, but to remind us all to take a moment and evaluate the things we do buy into.
Beyond the album Snake Eater is a shining example of what all local bands should be doing- from extensive self promotion on the internet to outstanding merchandise both online and at shows, they have all the makings of a signed band from their own resources. From mingling with the crowd to their eye catching performance, everything about Snake Eater exudes professionalism, and I would be shocked if 2009 didn’t bring total music domination, or at least a record deal.

Click here to hear Snake Eater on Myspace