Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

MUSIC: FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Linkin Park plays House of Blues Feb. 11, Coldplay plays Riviera Feb. 19
by Gregg Shapiro
2001-02-07

This article shared 2614 times since Wed Feb 7, 2001
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email


Of the many bands that released debut discs in 2000, only a handful deserve our continued attention in 2001. With the Beatles' 1 album high atop the pop charts for weeks, it would appear that Britpop has made something of a return. Modern-day mainstream Britpop bands such as Travis and critics darlings Radiohead are continuing an important legacy. Fans of both bands should be able to find something to admire about Coldplay, and their full-length domestic debut disc Parachutes ( Nettwerk ) . Their dreamy-pop single, "Yellow," was inescapable at the time that I was writing this ( last week of December ) and showed no sign of disappearing. Lead vocalist Chris Martin can hit the high notes like Jeff Buckley, and the album's 10 songs sound like a middle ground between the aforementioned Travis and Radiohead. Other high-flying tracks include "Don't Panic," "Shiver" ( which reminded me of Kitchens Of Distinction ) , the gorgeous "Sparks" and "Trouble," and the mini-epic "Everything's Not Lost."

The flipside to the beauty of Coldplay is the hip-hop/metal rage of Linkin Park. When vocalist Chester Bennington declares "Everything you say to me/Takes me one step closer to the edge/And I'm about to break," you believe him. Linkin Park's appropriately titled debut disc Hybrid Theory ( Warner Brothers ) is mostly a hybrid of hip-hop and metal that puts them on par with the Bizkit boys. Alienation and anxiety dictate, and the songs are performed with vein-bulging seriousness. Would a sense of humor have made "Crawling," "By Myself," or "A Place For My Head" easier to take or is this not a laughing matter?

Hard and heavy metal guitars and polyp-inducing vocals are the order of the day on Relationship Of Command ( Grand Royal ) , the major-label debut by At The Drive-In. There's a Texan in the White House and very soon, the Texans in At The Drive-In could be at the top of the charts. Their ruthlessly slamming "One Armed Scissor" is regular on the radio, and a song such as "Cosmonaut" could also probably do as well. Rumored to be the kind of band that must be seen live, At The Drive-In tours relentlessly, and may be in your neck of the woods very soon.

The Rick Rubin produced major-label self-titled debut disc by Paloalto ( American ) features hard-rocking guitars on several tracks, like At The Drive-In, while lead vocalist James Grundler's vocals have a quality reminiscent of Jeff Buckley's ( just like Coldplay's Chris Martin ) . The Buckley similarities occur on "Sonny," "Monolith," "Some Things Must Go This Way," and "Coming Back From The Sun," to name a few. Paloalto isn't all bluster. They do reveal a softer side on "Beauty Of Disaster" and "Too Many Questions." While no one will ever replace Jeff Buckley, it's interesting to hear people try.

Like At The Drive-In, the quintet known as Dexter Freebish also hails from Texas. John Shanks, who plays on Paloalto's album, also co-wrote one track and plays on a couple of tracks on A Life Of Saturdays ( Capitol ) , the Dexter Freebish disc. Too many coincidences? Perhaps. However, these things can be overlooked due to the male-model looks of front-man Kyle ( one name, like Cher or Madonna ) and the band's pleasant way with power-pop tunes such as "Leaving Town," "Spotlight," and the nifty title track.

Some former members of Ruth Ruth have gotten together to form Ultra V and release the varied album Bring On The Fuego ( RCA ) . On "Playboy Mansion," for instance, they sound like My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, while they mellow out on "Can I Crash Here Tonite?" sounding perfectly at ease with a smooth groove.

Big country

Sixteen Horsepower plays Schuba's Feb. 14-15

The appropriately titled The Spectacular Sadness of Rex Hobart & The Misery Boys ( Bloodshot ) features a dozen songs sung with a catch in Rex Hobart's crooning voice. Sad, sad, sad, but boy, does it swing. As long as you don't mind dancing with tears in your eyes, you might as well put this album on and sniffle along to "Forever Always Ends," "Bridge Burners Union ( Local 36 ) ," "I'm Not Drunk Enough," and "'Til My Teardrops Turn To Gold." If you have a hankering for woeful ballad, Hobart's "The One & Lonely You" and "I'll Forget Her Or Die Crying," might suit you.

In the late '90s the bands Sixteen Deluxe and Sixteen Horsepower released discs that became instant insurgent country classics. Having survived the upheaval at A&M Records, Sixteen Horsepower has released the album Secret South ( Razor & Tie ) . Bringing a mess of "Appalachian goth" to their brand of music, the songs are intensely haunting and effective, especially on "Burning Bush," "Clogger," "Silver Saddle," and "Nobody 'Cept You."

Sixteen Horsepower has honed their sin and salvation sound on tracks such as "Wayfaring Stranger," "Praying Arm Lane," and "Splinters." The addition of a three-piece string section makes the songs both heavenly and human.

Clem Snide is insurgenty country sorrow via New Jersey by way of Boston, proving that Guster isn't alone in that universal hub. Your Favorite Music ( Sire ) , their latest album, is a mild-mannered approach to the country troubador tradition. As gentle and unassuming as a powder-blue tuxedo, the songs on this album ( including the title track, "The Dairy Queen," "Bread," "Loneliness Finds Her Own Way," and a cover of Richie Valens's "Donna" ) are so beautiful, they almost guarantee a lump in the throat. Even the upbeat tunes, such as "Exercise" and "I Love The Unknown" ( which features Ambrosia Parsley, of Shivaree, singing back-up vocals ) , have a delicate pulse that doesn't upstage your favorite heartbeat.

You might be surprised to hear how good a country version of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" sounds, but as sung by Dwight Yoakam on his new album Tomorrow's Sounds Today ( Reprise ) , it sounds as if it was always meant to be done this way. The preceding 11 Yoakam originals are all up to par ( including "Dreams Of Clay," "Love Caught Up To Me," "Time Spent Missing You," "The Heartaches Are Free," "A World Of Blue," and the two duets with Buck Owens ( especially the Tex Mex "Alright, I'm Wrong" ) that close the album. Just like fellow new-country artist Lyle Lovett, Yoakam also has a burgeoning film career with his latest role being in the new David Fincher film The Panic Room.

Somewhere between Sixteen Horsepower and The Handsome Family, you will find the Pinetop Seven, and their album Bringing Home the Last Great Strike ( Self-Help/Truckstop ) . Core members Ryan Hembrey and Darren Richard anchor the revolving crew of musicians, and are the focal point of the songs. As dark as they are sumptuous, the songs on this album, beginning with the lush instrumental "As The Mutiny Sleeps" and continuing through the subtle Latin influence of "A Black Eye To Be Proud Of," the exotic "Ten Thousand Came To Carlisle," the near-pop accessibility of "Mission District," the spoken workd "At His Kitchen Table," and the hypnotic "A Friend To The Minnesota Strangler," honor the alternative country tradition while contributing something to it, as well.

Singing actress Ann-Margret is about to hit the road in the national tour of the revival of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, one of the most popular country-western musicals ever to grace a Broadway stage. In Chicago, the curtain up on the musical Lust 'n Rust, "a musical comedy about the loves and heartaches of the residents of the Redbud Mobile Estates."

Songs Of Lust 'N Rust: The Trailers ( LNR ) features songs from the musical mostly co-written by Frank Haney, Carol Kimball and Dave Stratton. Standout tracks, many of which feature the sound of a pedal steel and lap steel guitar, include "Mobilized," "Double Wide," "Once Upon A Time," and "Off To Mexico."

Hannah Ross's violin is an essential part of the music on Geode ( Phoenix Rising ) by the band The Recipe. The sound that this sextet cooks up is mostly a bluegrass stomp-fest, on songs such as "Real Wilde Cinema," "Honeybee," and "Stardust Lovers." A pop ballad such as "One Day Away From The Cusp," and tie-dyed jams such as "Pinwheel" and "The Seed," also reveal other influences.

The revival of "old time music" got its biggest boost on the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers' movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou." The Dickel Brothers also do their part on the four-song EP The Recordings Of The Dickel Brothers, Volume Two ( Empty Records ) , while the "country rock" of the 1970s ( Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pure Prairie League, Charlie Daniels Band ) gets its due on the 17-track compilation Goin' South ( Razor & Tie ) .


This article shared 2614 times since Wed Feb 7, 2001
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

'Rumors' performers create alternative drag playground 2024-03-24
- At first glance, Dorian's Through The Record Shop (1939 W. North Ave.) looks like a brightly-lit shop with a handful of records on the wall, but there's a secret world behind those unassuming shelves. Visitors are ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman 2024-03-21
- Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar' 2024-03-21
- Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

Lollapalooza announces lineup; SZA, Skrillex among headliners 2024-03-19
- Lollapalooza has released its line-up for the event that's taking place Aug. 1-4 at Grant Park. Headliners include SZA, Blink-182, Skrillex, The Killers, Hozier, Melanie Martinez and Stray Kids, among others. Some of the other acts ...


Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18
- Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'P-Valley,' Wendy Williams, Luke Evans, 'Queer Eye,' 'Transition' 2024-03-15
- Lady Gaga came to the defense of Dylan Mulvaney after a post with the trans influencer/activist for International Women's Day received hateful responses, People Magazine noted. On Instagram, Gaga stated, "It's appalling to me that a ...


Gay News

House-music festival on Aug. 30-Sept. 1; icons, Idris Elba to be part of it 2024-03-13
- The ARC Music Festival—an event celebrating house music—will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Chicago's Union Park, per WGN-TV. This will mark the fourth year that the festival will celebrate the genre at Union Park—less than ...


Gay News

COBRAH slithers into Chicago and brings Feminine Energy 2024-03-08
- COBRAH snaked her way into Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., for two nights March 7 and 8 for her Succubus Tour. This Swedish-born talent has a way with naughty words and ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Jinkx Monsoon, Xavier Dolan, 'Frida,' Lena Waithe, out singer 2024-03-08
- Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is headed back to the New York stage, joining off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey beginning April 2, according to Playbill. The casting makes Monsoon the first drag ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret 2024-03-05
- Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion 2024-03-01
- Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer actors, icons duet, Hunter Schafer, Oscars, Elizabeth Taylor 2024-03-01
- Queer actor Kal Penn is set to star in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor—a film that chronicles the final days of actress/model Anna Nicole Smith, whose overdose death in 2007 at age 39 sparked a tabloid ...


Gay News

'Always Olivia' celebrates Olivia Newton-John at Raue Center 2024-02-26
- From a press release: Always Olivia, a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John comes to Raue Center in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May ...


Gay News

Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams's violin stylings help COH mark Black History Month 2024-02-23
- As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., presented a solo jazz performance by violinist Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams on Feb. 21. The two-hour long performance presented a showcase ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.