Chicago's very own JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound has been celebrating its latest effort, Howl, with a tour through Calif. The energetic soul-meets-rock band returns for a homecoming concert as one of the main draws at Taste of Randolph on Friday, June 14.
Howl shows maturity for the quintet. The album is highlighted by the outstanding slower moments "River" and "These Things." Do not worry; this is not "Baaadnews." Howl has upbeat material like "Before I Die" and "Not Alone" that will work in well with the band's classics in a live setting. On the stand out "Rouse Yourself," the vocals remarkably channel those of Al Green, keeping the group's renowned retro-soul vibe planted. Howl is out now via Bloodshot Records.
Celebrate Pride month with a live show from Jinx Titanic and the Ladykillers Saturday, June 22, at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. The gay-fronted rock band will be joined by the collective Carpacho y Su Super Combo and Kaldi Jones. Last year Jinx Titanic and the Ladykillers made quite a comeback with the fantastic rockabilly-inspired outing Mister Casanova.
Following multiple teasers before its street date, the buzz surrounding Daft Punk's Random Access Memories became intense. The chart-topping collection is five years in the making. Here, the French electronic pioneers salute disco by having Nile Rodgers of Chic fame playing his trademark throwback guitar on "Give Life Back to Music" as well as on the collaborations with Pharrell Williams, "Lose Yourself to Dance" and "Get Lucky." The album was delayed so that Daft Punk could provide the soundtrack to 2010's Tron: Legacy. The art of composing a movie score is not lost on Random Access Memories, as heard on "Touch." "Motherboard" even takes this one step further and would fit perfectly in a reboot of the Alien film franchise. The set's payoff comes with the climatic "Contact." No tour dates are planned, per an interview with Australia's Triple J radio.
On the CD the minutes, Alison Moyet recruits Guy Sigsworth to be her co-writer and producer. Sigsworth has worked with many female pop stars, like Bjork, Madonna, Britney Spears, Alanis Morissette and Robyn, none having quite the same vocal muscle as Moyet.
"Horizon Flame" serves as the ultimate opening track by reminding the listener of Moyet's achievements and greatness. "Remind Yourself" and "Filigree" are mature, but still hip. I am trying to overlook Sigsworth's missteps with elements of dubstep on "Changeling" and "A Place to Stay." Throughout the minutes, there are dramatic elements, most notably on "Rung by the Tide," which could be an unofficial audition for Moyet to handle the next James Bond theme.
After being recognized as iTunes' Australian Alternative Album of the Year, A Is for Alpine, by Alpine, finally got released stateside. The breezy pop-rock numbers "Lovers 1" and "Lovers 2" set the tone for this album. "Seeing Red" and "Gasoline" act as the pillars, holding up the set with a quirky, left of center pop flavor. "Gasoline" has the irresistibly catchy refrain, "I wish it wasn't just the nighttime." "Too Safe" captures the beautiful layered, breathy vocals that make Alpine glow. On Friday, June 14, Alpine takes to the stage at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., with Crystal Fighters headlining.
Cabaret duo Everybody Says Yes, featuring Meghan Murphy, comes to Fitzgerald's SideBar Music Room, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, on Sunday, June 16. Songwriter and pianist John Fournier pens lyrics that illustrate unrequited love like "Black-Eyed Susans," where Murphy's voice is crystal-clear. Murphy sings with such passion on "Everybody Knows Who You Love" and "Sweet Things" that nothing other than just a piano is needed to support her. "Chicago Girl" cleverly presents hometown pride in a humorous fashion for the Windy City and its landmarks. For tickets, visit www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com . Everybody Says Yes can be found on FaceBook.
On Where It All Began, Matthew Morrison belts out a dozen Broadway standards, nodding to his work in musicals. This collection is not the average tribute to showtunes. Morrison mixes it up by including the medleys "Come Rain or Come Shine/Basin Street Blues" and "West Side Story Medley." Even his adorable dimples are practically visible on charming numbers like "It Don't Mean a Thing" and "Luck Be a Lady." Granted, Frank Sinatra also covered "Send in the Clowns," but I am used to hearing this standard sung by women. However, Morrison's version works here. If his character Will Schuester would hear these tracks, not only would he approve, but he would break into dance.
This month PBS will be airing the special Matthew Morrison: Where It All Began—Live from the Bushnell. As a vocal ally to the LGBTQ community, Morrison recently issued a video for HRC's campaign Americans for Marriage Equality.
In other Glee news, singing sensation Charice Pempengco announced that she is lesbian on the Filipino talk show The Buzz. Having played foreign-exchange student Sunshine Corazon, Pempengco and Lea Michele delivered a fun twist to Beyonce and Lady Gaga's duet "Telephone" on an episode of the Fox hit. The 21-year-old made a mighty splash stateside showing off her powerful and mature voice on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Oprah.
