When Grammy nominee Robyn's Body Talk did not make my top album of 2010, I got flamed. The set has fantastic upbeat jams like "Dancing on My Own" and "In My Eyes," as well as more experimental goodies like "Fembot" and "We Dance to the Beat." Some of her material can be indistinguishable, but not the same degree as tunes from '90s acts like Real McCoy, Whigfield or Captain Hollywood Project. I regularly mix up the Swede's "Handle Me" and "Hang with Me" as well as "Love Kills" with "Indestructible."
Fresh from winning four Swedish Grammy awards, Robyn is returning to Chicago with a sold-out concert at The Riviera, 4746 N. Racine, on Friday, Feb. 11.
British rising star Natalia Kills will be opening for Robyn again. Last year, Kills wowed the crowd with a set that is more goth and racier than those from American counterparts Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. The finale was the catchy "Mirrors." Kills herself directed the video clip to the electro-pop "Mirrors." Her anticipated full-length debut, Perfectionist, is due out March.
Also on board for Robyn's tour is Diamond Rings. The Toronto-based act recalls Human League with John O.'s deep voice on "Wait & See," yet achieves indie credibility on "You & Me" and "Something Else." The stand out is the slowed down, synthesizer-heavy "It's Not My Party." It doesn't hurt that Diamond Rings' frontman is not afraid to sport war paint. The debut, Special Affections, is out now.
"Galileo" finds Indigo Girls questioning past lives. It is a case of reincarnation as The Ladies of the Canyon will be performing the Girls' material once again Thursday, Feb. 10, at Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn.
I asked Kim Frost, the creative director and one of the vocalists for Ladies of the Canyon, why the Indigo Girls tribute is being redone. Frost said, "It was one of my favorite shows we did and also my first as producer. The night we did it, there was a snow storm and hardly anyone came so I've always wanted to try again, plus I've had people come up to me and ask 'when are you guys going to do Indigo Girls?'"
Ladies of the Canyon has Chicago-area-based female singer-songwriters taking turns with lead and back-up vocals or cheering from the backstage during the shows. Frost insisted that there are no diva attitudes or cattiness. "None at all, there's no room or tolerance for it. It's one of the main reasons why the vocals are so good, everyone truly is there to make serving the music the number one priority, along with supporting each other."
For more information on Ladies of the Canyon, please visit www.lotclive.com or find the group on Facebook.
Need more of Indigo Girls? Amy Ray, whose contributions for Indigo Girls tend to be darker than Emily Saliers', has released a concert album, Amy Ray MVP Live. There is no Indigo Girls music to be found here. MVP consists of edgier rock material pulled from Ray's solo bows Stag, Prom and Didn't It Feel Kinder. My favorite here is the outsider's anthem "Birds of a Feather." Ray plans on releasing another solo effort later this year.
New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight proves that he has "The Right Stuff" as he has publicly announced that he is gay. On the group's blog, the handsome singer with the chiseled nose and high cheekbones admitted he never has hidden his sexual orientation.
Knight had a "Radio Romance" with pop star Tiffany during a tour over 20 years ago. Tiffany stated on Watch What Happens: Live that she was involved with Knight and that he "became gay later." Since, then the two traded amicable tweets that there was no mal intent behind Tiffany's comments and that she did not out him.
The boy bands 'N Sync and Westlife also have openly gay members with Lance Bass and Mark Feehily, respectively. The New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys are touring together with a stop at The United Center, 1901 W. Madison, on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18.
Glee creator Ryan Murphy and Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill recently had an ugly exchange. The openly gay Murphy is quoted saying "Fuck you, Kings of Leon" in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, because the band of brothers has not granted permission to the Emmy-winning series to use its music. Followill tweeted, "Dear Ryan Murphy, let it go. See a therapist, get a manicure, buy a new bra. Zip your lip and focus on educating 7yr olds how to say fuck."
In a piece where Murphy does not take the bait on PerezHilton.com, Followill's retort is regarded as homophobic. The drummer has issued an apology via Twitter: "I'm sorry 4 anyone that misconstrued my comments as homophobic or misogynistic. I'm so not that kind of person. I really do apologize." Okay, then how should these tactless comments be taken?
Kings of Leon should have reconsidered the chance to have its music featured on Glee. Just look at Florence and the Machine. The British act's "Dog Days Are Over" is covered in the season opener of Glee, helping the overlooked track from 2009's album, Lungs, to ignite on radio. Kings of Leon is best known for the hits "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" from 2008's Only by the Night. Last year's follow-up, Come Around Sundown, was amiss and could have used the leverage from a hit prime-time show like Glee.
