Like Erasure's Andy Bell, Sigur Ros's Jonsi and The Killers' Brandon Flowers, Kele Okereke from Bloc Party is stepping out on his own with Boxer during the band's hiatus. Here, the out frontman is releasing his solo debut using his first name only.
"On the Lam" and "Tenderoni" pack a big, bold dance sound, a territory familiar to Faithless, something that Bloc Party has not fully explored. Try not to be overpowered by the hypnotic, cool rhythm on "Rise" or "Yesterday's Gone." Okereke will perform at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, on Saturday, Sept. 11, with Does It Offend You, Yeah? opening. Boxer is out now via Glassnote Records.
Jason Walker burst into the music scene by singing like the divas he admires, as witnessed during his knockout win on Showtime at The Apollo. Even Michael Musto commented in his column that he was caught off-guard with Walker wailing at a Manhattan nightspot. After topping the club charts with "Foolish Mind Games" and "Set It Free," Walker returns with his third full-length album, Leave It All Behind.
Sure, there are upbeat numbers like the disco-flavored "Quicksand," but the openly gay New Yorker prefers to step off the dance floor here, as heard on "I Am Changing." "I Love You" salutes his parents' lasting relationship. The set's title track has a booming chorus worthy of a Kristine W. anthem. He is no gimmick or a product of the studio; a superb live version of "Sad Eyes" included here supports this. Leave It All Behind is catchy and spotlights Walker's pipes, a pop feat most American Idol graduates cannot grasp. See http://www.myspace.com/jasonwalker.
A rigorous tour schedule has given School of Seven Bells a new twist to its aesthetic. The New York trio recently released Disconnect from Desire, the successor to the ethereal, experimental Alpinisms. There is no sophomore slump here. "Babelonia" seems as if it was plucked from a 1991 broadcast of MTV's 120 Minutes, transported to the future and then brought back to modern times. Twin sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza harmonize like only sisters can on "Dial" and "The Wait." Imagine Sarah McLachlan wanting to be a hipster living in Brooklyn. The result would be the fantastic post-break-up peace offering "I L U." Resistance to "Windstorm" is futile with its primitive groove. School of Seven Bells will be at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln, on Friday, Sept. 17.
Janelle Monae is an exciting welcome to the pop spectrum. Her impressive full length debut The ArchAndroid features the radio ready collaboration with Big Boi "Tightrope." "Cold War" and "Come Alive ( War of the Roses ) " are fun, lively bursts of too much caffeine consumption. Then the Kansas City-born artist is a chameleon with the smooth, summery "Neon Valley Street." "BabopbyeYa" has enough dramatics to be a James Bond theme. But it is "Mushrooms and Roses" that has me two clouds above nine with its psychedelic guitar riffs and otherworldly vocals. Monae's ArchAndroid is out now via Atlantic Records.
Monae has toured with Erykah Badu and kicked off the Prince tribute with a lively cover of "Let's Go Crazy" at The BET Awards. Monae will be back in Chicago Saturday, Sept. 25, at The Riviera, 4746 N. Racine, with Of Montreal.
Never mind the tabloid items about Charice's plastic surgeryher self-titled debut stands on its own. You may remember the 18-year-old Filipina YouTube sensation being on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Ellen DeGeneres Show. "Reset" shows off her big voice, which makes her an ideal guest on the next season of Glee. The bow's lead single, "Pyramid," features Iyaz, but comes across as any given Jordin Sparks number that is trying to be hip. "The Truth Is" not only has soaring vocals, but it is one of those tracks that I'd expect to ignite on the radio. Do you remember when Mariah Carey could still use her upper register? So does Charice. Check her out on the single worthy "Note to God." If you are bummed that Leona Lewis' tour with Christina Aguilera was postponed, definitely check out Charice's debut and score a copy for your 12-year-old niece.
Fresh on the heels from performing That '60s Show at The Metropolitan Room in New York City, Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael are bringing Broadway Our Way to Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress, on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Expect Chicago's beloved cabaret duo to reinterpret favorites from an assortment of musicals including West Side Story, Chicago and Wicked. The setting will be intimate with the audience on stage with the pair, leaving the theatre to serve as a back drop. For more information, please visit www.auditoriumtheatre.org .
Some queer urbanites joke that venturing beyond the city limits renders them powerless. This remains scientifically uncertain, but it is known that the suburbs house multiple wonderful venues to see live music.
On Saturday, Sept. 25, Hag will be at The Alley's Rock n Bowl, 210 Greenbay, Highwood. Hag is a female-fronted rock band who covers a broad range of greats like AC/DC, Donna Summer and Led Zeppelin. The quartet also has wowed the crowds at Northalsted Market Days.