Feb 10, 2014
Words / Photos: Alex Wood (see Alex's thoughts on the Thursday show here)Despite Neutral Milk Hotel playing the same songs as Thursdays show, their second Riviera date was equally stunning.Though the songs were the same, the set list was not.Jeff Mangum approached the microphone alone for opener King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1. After...
Feb 7, 2014
Words / Photos: Alex Wood (see Alex's Friday night review here)Before Neutral Milk Hotels Jeff Mangum appeared on the stage at the Riviera, it was clear that the show was to be one of a kind.Three hand saws of various lengths lay propped against Julian Kosters amplifier at the front of the stage, arranged...
Feb 4, 2014
Why are there not more Bob Dylan cover bands?Isn't it universally acknowledged that he has the deepest catalog of songs of any beloved artist? And let's face it, the bulk of his repertoire is written in a way that is just begging to be interpreted. Given that recent Dylan performances have left his rabid...
Feb 3, 2014
Words / Photos: Alex WoodAs Califone walked on stage, drummers Joe Westerlund and Rachel Blumberg fiddled with a hodgepodge of small, electronic noisemakers, opening the show with layers of gurgling electronic noise.Out of these noises came Dont Let Me Die Nervous from 2000s Califone EP, a track that showcases the bands full range of dynamics...
Jan 31, 2014
If you've got the songwriting gift and are starting to get damn good at it, I suppose there are three paths you can go down.1. Grab a guitar and hit the road as a one-man-show. Refuse to dilute your vision with other musicians.2. Be a band leader. Step out in front of a team committed...
Jan 21, 2014
Words / Photos: Alex WoodFriday nights installment of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues festival offered two very different takes on blending folk-rock and country.To the surprise of many, the presumed headliner Justin Townes Earle came out before The Felice Brothers.Paul Niehaus added sparse electric and slide guitar backing, making Earles band two members short...
Jan 9, 2014
We welcomed writer / photographer Alex Wood to the fold in 2013 and couldn't be happier with his contributions. Before his association with the site, it had been his yearly tradition to circulate a top albums list amongst his friends. We're excited to publish the 2013 edition here to kick off our 2013 year-in-review coverage.1. DAFT PUNK - RANDOM...
Dec 16, 2013
Words / Photos: Alex WoodMoistboyz are too metal to be punk and too punk to be metal. Between the two genres falls the blisteringly energetic rock n roll the band makes their own.Despite their being best known as a side-project for Ween due to the inclusion of guitarist Mickey Melchiondo (referred to as Dean Ween...
Dec 12, 2013
Words / Photos: Alex WoodDespite sharing a similar setlist to the previous nights show, Andrew Birds third Gezelligheid date at the Fourth Presbyterian proved to be another unique experience in his cozy concert series.The set began with Bird performing Pulaski At Night tracks Hover and Ethio Invention, the performer carefully combining swooping legato violin loops...
Dec 11, 2013
Words / Photos: Alex WoodDuring his second night in Chicago, Andrew Bird referred to this years Gezelligheid series at Fourth Presbyterian Church as the fourth annual, before acknowledging skipping a year somewhere in there.Regardless, the church shows have become a staple for Bird fans, a tradition celebrating the Chicagoans musical gift.And always just in...