Silversun Pickups
Swoon
Dangerbird Records
United Center, Chicago
Friday, March 12, 2010

Silver Lake, that artsy enclave in Los Angeles, has spawned another musical act that is destined to be around for a long time. Especially if the group – Silversun Pickups – continue to release records like Swoon.

One of the most impressive things about Silversun Pickups is the sheer technical ability of the musicians. It is one thing to be a good musician; it is something all together different to blend four good musicians and create music that is seamless and timeless.

The rhythm section includes Nikki Monninger on bass and Christopher Guanlao on drums. They provide pristine back drop for Brian Aubert’s easy-on-the-ears vocals and his shred-light guitar. Joseph Lester gets lost in the shuffle from time to time, but you would surely miss him if he wasn’t there.

There seems to be no ego here. Just four people with one vision. The true hero of this disc though, is Monninger. She keeps things moving at a buoyant pulse with a metronomic precision. It doesn’t appear that she is trying to steal focus so much as that a consistent bass line is one of their foot prints.

Swoon is a good party record. It might be the perfect party record. It can be played at a low volume behind the clatter and clash that a party creates. It can also be cranked up later in the evening when it’s time to dance. Either way, the band’s 2010 Grammy nomination (Best New Artist) is well deserved. We can look forward to more captivating music from the quartet that will surely make you swoon.

Stand out track:
“Growing Old Is Getting Old”

Written by: Paul Barile

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The Constellations
Southern Gothic
Virgin Records
Lincoln Hall, Chicago
Friday, March 12, 2010

There are a lot of influences – past and present – on The Constellations‘ Southern Gothic. From the opening bars of “Setback” we hear The Beatles providing the backbeat for some interesting rap-like vocals.

One of the things that makes The Constellations a compelling musical act – and one to watch as they grow and develop – is that they aren’t going to settle into a formula which is the death knell for so many bands these days.

Gratefully, The Constellations can’t even settle on a formula for Southern Gothic. They glide effortlessly between genres with such ease they blur the lines. They just as easily drop melodic pop vocals over electronica light as they rock out hard and with focus in quarter time.

Unlike the cookie-cutter pop bands that lock into one thing and just connects the dots, The Constellations find nooks and crannies to fill with texture and shading. There is a sense of economy in their recording. They want to put as much into each bar of music as they can.

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Hockey
Mind Chaos
Capitol Records
Lincoln Hall, Chicago
Friday, March 12, 2010

Mind Chaos comes in like a comical video game that escaped from the 1980s and goes out like a tender thought shared between friends over a pint of something really good. Hockey – the Portland, Oregon-based quartet – has released a collection of songs that blend genres while bending them to fit their explosive little soundscapes. There is never a dull moment on Mind Chaos.

There is also nothing expected or predictable. The first listen to this 11-song disc is like a 45-minute birthday. There are a lot of surprises and they all feel so good you can’t wait to hear them again.

Ben Grubin’s vocals as versatile as the types of songs collected here. Whether he is rocking a bumpy cut like “Song Away” or offering a plaintive relaxed delivery evidenced on “Wanna Be Black” Grubin keeps things interesting.

Mind Chaos exists at the confluence of humor and solid craftsmanship. They highlight it with an unquestionable love for music that would be as at home in a John Hughes film as in a Devo concert. The endearing thing is – this music is honest and fun.

Stand out tracks:
“Song Away” and “Everyone’s The Same Age”

Written by: Paul Barile

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Karnivool
Sound Awake

Ian Kenny – Vocals
Andrew “Drew” Goddard – Lead Guitar
Mark Hosking – Guitar
Jon Stockman – Bass
Steve Judd – Drums

When I received Karnivool’s Sound Awake in the mail I was a bit scared. I am not really in the mood for scream-o music right now. I was actually in need of a musical cleansing. I popped Sound Awake in my car’s player and was pleasantly surprised. It sounds like metal with the crunch of the guitars, but then the vocal track started and Karnivool’s heavy metal scream-o image I had in my head disappeared.

Karnivool reminds me of A Perfect Circle and since we haven’t heard from A Perfect Circle in a while I was more than happy to have Sound Awake in my possession. The melodies are incredible as Karnivool incorporates all the bells and whistles. Ok, maybe not the bells part but it sounds like bells and xylophones are used on several of the tracks. One track that really has my attention right now is “The Caudal Lure.”

More of Sound Awake and Tour Dates after the jump…

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The Waylons
Out of Love EP
October 20, 2009

To be quite honest, I have been listening to the Waylons’ Out of Love EP for a while now. I am such a bad girl because I haven’t shared them with you until now.

The Waylons are a Brooklyn based rock band that is notorious for recording their music in train depots, apartments, and hallways, but make no mistake. The album is mastered and mixed that one really can’t tell. They are also the “Do-It-Yourself” kind of band that is receiving positive reviews from the likes of the New York Press and other media outlets. That being said I had to hear what they’re offering to the public for our listening pleasure.

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Painkiller Hotel
Black Roses

Eddie Prez – Vocals, Guitar
Adam Harker – Bass
Klaus Luchs – Lead Guitar
Nate Green – Drums

Painkiller Hotel is a Chicago-based rock band that dropped their debut album, Black Roses, in 2009 on Ridge Rock Music. There is no surprise that Painkiller Hotel was signed to Ridge Rock Music where 3 Doors Down guitarist, Chris Henderson, is one of the owners. The band has all the goods to be in the ranks as 3 Doors Down and Chris only speaks highly of this rock quartet. I can even see Painkiller Hotel opening for 3 Doors Down based on their sound that would  definitely warm up 3 Doors Down fans on tour. The band’s first album is completely radio rock with catchy choruses and Kevin Presbrey’s distinctive vocals.

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The Song Remains The Same / Led Zeppelin

muddy sloppy mess
the worst live album ever
a great band falters

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George Michael
George Michael: Live in London
Released: 12/8/2009
Epic Records

George Michael’s 25th Anniversary Tour was 105 shows in 80 cities in 41 countries. Did you catch it?

My first George Michael concert was actually last year in San Diego, where he kicked his 25th Anniversary Tour off in the United States. I was a bit hesitant to go at first my friends poked fun at me for going to see George Michael. Deep down inside we are all George Michael fans. I did have another ticket and offered it to them but no one took it. Boy, did they miss a fabulous show! When I heard they were releasing George Michael: Live in London I was elated! I just received it in the mail and already watched the 2 hour epic show.

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Album Cover 2009

According to HuDost’s Website, the band HuDost was initially formed as an acoustic duo between songwriters Moksha Sommer and Jemal Wade Hines that later expanded to include an ensemble of musicians and instruments. With the band’s third album, Trapeze, HuDost exemplifies their versatility with genres and musicianship that gained them acclaim from their first two albums and currently puts them at the forefront of the folk rock world.

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Pomegranate – Poi Dog Pondering

almost mystical
a surprising favorite
just go and buy it

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