Video Of The Week: Jersey's Past, Meet Jersey's Future

This week's Straight Lines Video Of The Week takes us out east to the new music breeding ground of New Jersey. While there are upcoming bands and upcoming musicians galore out in Jersey, no new band has made an immediate impact like The Gaslight Anthem has. They've toured the world, hit all the summer music festivals, wrote and recorded 2 albums, and are in the process of recording another.

Not too shabby, right? Bruce Springsteen doesn't think so either. In addition to being from New Jersey and Gaslight's all-time favorite rocker, Springsteen on many occasions has given the new band his stamp approval, including performing live with the group.

In this week's video, the future of rock and roll meets rock and roll of the past when fellow Jersey men, The Gaslight Anthem and Bruce Springsteen, take to the Hyde Park music festival stage to perform Gaslight's hit song The 59 Sound.

New Green Day Album In The Works

Green Day may be back with a new album sooner than we think. Talk about not being satisfied. The success of 21st Century Breakdown, almost a year old now, just may not be good enough for these guys.

In an interview with Kerrang magazine, front-man Billie Joe Armstrong said the band is working on a new record and has some songs already done. "We did some demos in Berlin, some in Stockholm, some just outside of Glasgow and some in Amsterdam," Armstrong told the magazine. "We wanted to get the new songs down in some early form."

According to the interview, the band has been road testing many of the songs on their current European tour. No word yet on what the album will be titled or when it will be released. In addition to a just announced summer tour, rumors are swirling that Green Day will be one of the headlining bands at this years Lollapalooza festival in Chicago.

Them Crooked Vultures Hit The Road

New rock super-group, Them Crooked Vultures, is hitting the road on a North American tour starting in May. The band, featuring Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones, and Josh Homme will kick things off in Los Angeles on April 14th and finish up at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on May 18th.

For those in the Chicagoland area, tickets go on-sale Saturday April 3rd at 10am for the Aragon show. Pre-sale begins this Friday April 2nd at ticketmaster.com

Here's hoping they make it to Lollapalooza as well!

Alex Chilton's Big Star Still Shines Bright

If there's any fairness in the universe the untimely death last week of Alex Chilton at the age of 59 will shine a much-deserved spotlight on possibly the most unheralded band of the 1970s: Big Star. Chilton certainly has more to hang his musical legacy on than Big Star, but Big Star is what he should be known for. It's power pop with great hooks and and slashing guitar (check out the link to "September Gurls" and see if you can go away not humming that!), and like many rock bands of the era they refused to take themselves too seriously. If the band's tongue-in-cheek name isn't enough of a hint that they knew they wouldn't "make it," they titled their first LP #1 Record to amplify the joke.



Plucked from high school at the age of 16, his world weary, worn out vocals on the Box Tops' "The Letter" propelled that single to Number One. But check out the link to that performance... how does that voice come out of someone who looks like him. He's not old enough to have experienced anything that could make him sound like that. Few people could believe it and Chilton developed an almost instantaneous cult following -- and that following tracked him the rest of his life, through solo records, rare concert performances, and even a Big Star semi-reunion in 1993 (captured on the In Space studio recording and on Live at Missouri University 4/25/93).



Big Star was the 1970s version of The Velvet Underground -- their impact was disproportionally huge relative to their commercial success. Upon reflecting on The Velvet Underground years after their breakup, one music critic noted that their first LP (known by most people as "the banana album" because of Andy Warhol's cover art) sold only 300 copies. "But," the critic said, "every one of those 300 people went out and started a band." That's the kind of influence Big Star had, and Chilton must have felt that too as Big Star eventually covered the Velvet's "Femme Fatale."

Co-founded by Chilton with Chris Bell in 1971, the band included drummer Jody Stephens and bassist/vocalist Andy Hummel. Bell and Chilton both played guitar and sang, and Chilton did the lion's share of the writing. Bell left after the first record but Stephens and Hummel stuck it out. And though they only released three records (#1 Record, Radio City, and Third) during their brief career (a fourth, Sister Lovers, surfaced later), Big Star influenced countless alt rock, pre-punk, slightly punk, and pop bands, hanging around the fringes of rock and sending subliminal messages to bands and their songwriters. R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe credits their influence, The Bangles covered them, and The Replacements recorded a song titled "Alex Chilton" on their 1987 Pleased to Meet Me record (and they even convinced Chilton to play on it).

Chilton never made it big, probably as he planned it. He released solo records, including Like Flies on Sherbert where he covers everyone from The First Family of Country Music, the Carters, to K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and he was hard-headed about recording, contracts, and performing live. But recently he did give his approval to a 4-CD box set, Keep An Eye on the Sky, which collects demos, alternate takes, and unused mixes for Big Star fans. It would be a fitting remembrance to Alex Chilton if that box ended up in everyone's music collection.

Q101 Brings Back Jamboree, Announces Lineup

Q101, Chicago's Alternative rock radio station, went back to its roots this week and announced the return of their highly successful "Jamboree" summer music festival. Since 2003, the Q101 summer fest was called Bloc Party and brought in various bands such as 30 Seconds To Mars, The Bravery, Local H, The Flaming Lips, and most recently, 311.

In the past, Q101's Jamboree brought in some of the biggest names in alternative rock; Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, Social Distortion, The Offspring, Silverchair, and Blink 182 to name just a few.

Admittedly, this years lineup isn't nearly as good as it could have been, though it still will make for a very enjoyable day of music. The announced bands for the fest so far are: 3 Days Grace, Seether, Hollywood Undead, Papa Roach, Puddle Of Mudd, Saliva, Janus, Story Of The Year, Flobots, Crash Kings, and AM Taxi.

This years festival will take place on Saturday June 5th at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. Presale tickets are on-sale now at Q101.com.

Chicago Weekend Concert Info 3/19-3/21

Here is your Chicago concert information for this weekend. Enjoy!

Bottom Lounge
3/19 - The Appleseed Cast, Dreamend
3/20 - The Psychobilly Spring Fling 2

Schubas
3/19 - Scout Niblett, Picastro
3/20 - We The Living, Bullets In Madison, Chrash
3/21 - Spanish For 100, Nick Miller And The Neighbors, Redwood Plan

Lincoln Hall
3/19 - The Right Now, Vertikal, Weber Band
3/20 - The Ex, Shellac
3/21 - On The Run, Sissy Mena, Matt Ryd, Cole Degenova And The Peoples Republic

Cubby Bear
3/19 - Jack Straw, Tula
3/20 - Rock Candy

Elbo Room
3/19 - Band With Names, Dave Lynkins And The Crimebusters, Kevin Lee And The Kings
3/20 - Ziv, Space vs. Time, Clark Richard, Amy Stroup, 20, Mark Helga, Allie Joelle

The Rock Days Of Summer

Let's not get totally fooled by the 60 degree weather outside. Yes, it is March Madness time, and yes, the days are longer now, though lets not forget that at a moments notice, we could be back to sub 40 degree temps and baseball games being cancelled because of snow. That being said, this gorgeous weather inevitably makes you think about the summer. Summertime gets you thinking about music and music in the summertime can only mean one thing...festivals. Weekends filled with wonderful bands, new experiences, lots of sunscreen, and even more sweat and stink. In the end though, we all say the same thing about our beloved music marathons, "It was totally worth it, I have to go next year". Of course it is only March, but with the weather turning, what better time than now to plan out your rock days of summer? Here is a breakdown of the three major summer music festivals in the country. Where will you be?

Bonnaroo
June 10th-13th
Manchester, TN
www.bonnaroo.com

Dave Matthews Band
Kings of Leon
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Conan O'Brien
Tenacious D
Weezer
The Flaming Lips performing Dark Side of the Moon featuring Stardeath and White Dwarfs
The Dead Weather
Damian Marley and Nas
Phoenix
Norah Jones
Michael Franti and Spearhead
John Fogerty
Regina Spektor
Jimmy Cliff
Ween
LCD Soundsystem
The Avett Brothers
Thievery Corporation
Galactic
Rise Against
Tori Amos
The National
Zac Brown Band
Les Claypool
John Prine
Umphrey's McGee
The Black Keys
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
Jeff Beck
Dropkick Murphys
She & Him
Against Me!
Deadmau5
Daryl Hall & Chromeo
Jamey Johnson
Margaret Cho
Clutch
Bassnectar
Kid Cudi
Aziz Ansari
The Disco Biscuits
Kris Kristofferson
Medeski Martin & Wood
Brandi Carlile
The xx
Jeffrey Ross Roasts Bonnaroo
John Butler Trio
GWAR
Dan Deacon Ensemble
Tinariwen
Wale
Baaba Maal
The Melvins
The Gaslight Anthem
Miike Snow
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
The Gossip
Greg Giraldo
Dr. Dog
They Might Be Giants
Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile
Isis
Blitzen Trapper
Blues Traveler
Miranda Lambert
Calexico
Gary Chardonnay
OK Go
Bo Burnham
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Martin Sexton
Lotus
Doug Benson
Baroness
Dave Rawlings Machine
Mayer Hawthorne and the County
Nick Kroll
Japandroids
Jay Electronica
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Ingrid Michaelson
The Dodos
Manchester Orchestra
The Temper Trap
Paul Scheer & Rob Huebel
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Circa Survive
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Carolina Chocolate Drops
John Roberts
NEEDTOBREATHE
Tokyo Police Club
The Entrance Band
Local Natives
Mumford & Sons
Rebelution
Baron Vaughn
Diane Birch
Monte Montgomery
Fanfarlo
Julia Nunes
The Postelles
Lucero
Here We Go Magic
Chelsea Peretti
Hot Rize
Neon Indian
B.O.B

***What a lineup this is. Great headliners like DMB, Kings Of Leon, Jay-Z, and Weezer coupled with a great supporting lineup of The Dead Weather, The Black Keys, The Gaslight Anthem, and Rise Against will undoubtedly lead to a great 3 days. If you can withstand the conditions of a fest like this one, it has something for everyone. Rap and hip-hop, to hard alternative rock, to jazz, Bonnaroo has it all.

Pitchfork Music Festival
July 16th-18th
Union Park, Chicago, IL
www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com

Modest Mouse
Broken Social Scene
El-P
LCD Soundsystem
Panda Bear
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Raekwon
Titus Andronicus
Bear in Heaven
Freddie Gibbs
The Smith Westerns
Dàm-Fun
Pavement
St. Vincent
Lightning Bolt
Girls
Cass McCombs
Here We Go Magic
Sleigh Bells
CAVE
Allá

***This is the indie event of the summer. Though some of the bands are relatively unknown, they are all worth checking out. With a headliner group featuring Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, Modest Mouse, and Broken Social Science, you really can't go wrong. More bands will be added and we will keep you updated as they are released. Great things happen at Pitchfork, make sure you are there to see it.

Lollapalooza
August 6th-8th
Grant Park, Chicago, IL
www.lollapalooza.com

The official lineup release will take place on April 6th. All we have to go by as of now is the rumors, and there are a lot of them.

AFI - Rumored
Against Me! - Rumored
Arcade Fire - Expected
B.o.B. - Expected
Brendan Benson - Rumored
Bright Eyes - Highly Rumored
Caspa - Expected
Cut Copy - Expected
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Rumored
Dirty Projectors - Expected
Drive-By Truckers - Rumored
Green Day - Highly Rumored
Hockey - Expected
Hot Chip - Expected
Infected Mushroom - Expected
Lady Gaga - Expected
MGMT - Rumored
Phoenix - Expected
Public Enemy - Rumored
Slightly Stoopid - Rumored
Soundgarden - Expected
The Constellations - Expected
The Cribs - Expected
The Flaming Lips - Rumored
The Hold Steady - Rumored
The National - Rumored
The New Pornographers - Rumored
The Strokes - Confirmed (via the band)
The xx - Expected
Tinariwen - Rumored
X Japan - Rumored
Yeasayer - Expected

***The meca of all summer festivals as far as we are concerned. It has the big names, the best in indie bands, up and comers, a DJ tent, and something for virtually every music lover out there. While nothing is 100% confirmed as of yet, potential headliners of Green Day, Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, and a returning Soundgarden should leave the crowd with something to look forward to each and every night. Add to that potential sets by The Hold Steady, MGMT, The Flaming Lips, and Phoenix and you are about set. The great thing is, these are just rumors so far. If previous years are any indication at all, creator Perry Ferrell has something waiting up his sleeve for all of us.

So, what do you think will be the best festival this summer? Do you have the unfortunate task of having a budget and only being able to afford one? Or are you just saying the heck with it and attending all three. No matter what, summer 2010 is looking sweeter and sweeter every day.

The Rolling Stones "Exile" Gets A Week With Jimmy Fallon

According to reports, starting the week of May 10th, Jimmy Fallon will be giving The Rolling Stone's "Exile On Main Street" the nod it so greatly deserves. To commemorate the reissuing of the record, Fallon will be inviting musical guests to perform live and cover a track or two from the legendary Stones album.

The official announcement of who those bands will be has not been made yet, but we will report it as soon as it is available.

"Exile On Main Street" was originally released in 1972 and is the home for many Stones masterpieces such as Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice, Torn And Frayed, and Ventilator Blues. 10 previously unreleased songs including Following The River and Plunder My Soul will be included when you purchase the reissue. In addition, Billboard.com is reporting that a super-deluxe set will be released that includes the reissue on vinyl, a 30 minute DVD, and a 50 page photo book.

Dead Weather's Horehound Looks at Relationships in Black...

How often does a CD cover accurately portray the music inside? Take a look at The Dead Weather's Horehound and you'll get the idea right off the bat. Alison Mosshart in leather gloves, her mouth open in a pained grimace, her eyes obscured by her hair hanging well below her eyes -- even she can't bear to watch what's coming. This is black-and-white music, hard and with an edge -- make that with edges all over the place, lyrically and musically. The guitars and drums and cymbals and bass and even most of the vocals are defined throughout; you can hear the edges and if you look close enough you can see them, too. Because from beginning to end the CD sounds like it's played against a black background, not a quiet background but a silent one. Maybe in a cave. At night. And maybe that's a good thing because whatever there is to look at isn't pretty.

But that doesn't mean it isn't good.

It all starts with "60 Feet Tall," where Jack White's drumstick clacks and rolls on the rim respond to Dean Fertita's rubber-band guitar riffs before Mosshart exclaims "I can take the trouble, I can take you on...I'm 60 feet tall" and there's no question you believe her...or at least you'd better believe her -- she's clearly not trying to convince herself. But the point is not her threat, it's that her threat is necessary in what is a dangerous relationship for both parties. Fertita wrestles the guitar and his strong leads support Mosshart's warnings while White drives full speed ahead, battering the drums. Nice stuff.

White again handles the drums (they're his weapon of choice on this set) on "Hang You From the Heavens," where "I like to grab you by the hair" is followed by "and hang you up from the heavens" or, in another verse, "drag you to the devil."

Is anyone unclear about what's going on here?

White's only solo-penned song, where he takes the lead vocal (and which sounds not just a little White Stripish) is "I Cut Like a Buffalo," where he accuses, "You cut a record on my throat, but the record's not broken," asking three times "Is that you choking" before finishing with "Or are you just joking?"

Funny?

In "Treat Me Like Your Mother" Mosshart isn't kind to her lover... or mothers in general ... where she challenges "C'mon look me in the eye, You want to try to tell a lie? I bet you can't and do you know why? I'm just like your mother." Following that she spells out m-a-n-i-p-u-l-a-t-e then pointedly accuses "You blink when you breathe, and you breathe when you lie, You blink when you lie."

What kind of relationships are these people having, anyway?

These supergroups (admittedly a lousy term for a group of artists who have performed successfully in other bands) often don't work out, especially over the long haul. White is from the White Stripes and The Raconteurs, Mosshart is from The Kills, Fertita played with Queens of the Stone Age, and Jack Lawrence partnered with White in The Raconteurs. But based on Horehound these four players seem to not only bring some of their individuality to the sound, they generate something among themselves, creating an energy that underlies the music. Who brings what is unclear, but Mosshart's distinctive, authoritative voice (hearing her demand, "Come over here pony!" gives a whole new meaning to Bob Dylan's obscure "New Pony") clearly separates this band for other Jack White projects -- and make no mistake White's influences are evident throughout. But that's not a bad thing as he's got more than enough ideas to go around.

What's essential, and what The Dead Weather seems to offer, is bandmates who are partners and who are willing to encourage (and put up with) the give and take some of the best bands and band leaders need. Just a look at the song credits hints that there's something going on as 10 original songs are written by seven combinations of the four musicians.

As for what's really going on, maybe we're all best left in the dark about that...at least until the next The Dead Weather CD.

Muse Steals The Rock Throne In Chicago

Attention Rolling Stones, U2, and virtually every major rock act of the past 10 years and beyond. There is a new rock sheriff in town and they go by the name of Muse.

Going into Friday evening’s concert with Muse at the United Center in Chicago, I obviously knew and enjoyed their songs and understood fully what they were about as band. What I didn’t know was how many others knew what I knew and more. As I walked toward the seats amidst a minor, but decent crowd, I figured what I had thought all along had come true; Muse was a little too big for its britches and chose the wrong arena venue to further their path toward rock main-stream superstardom. However, as Silversun Pickups took to the stage (and played a phenomenal opening set) I couldn’t help but notice the entire arena applauding a little louder, chattering a bit more, and filling up. By the time the Pickups exited, even the seats behind the skyscraperish stage were filled up. Weird. Muse? Really? It all started from there.

The band came onstage after a tremendous light show introduction with the crowd almost hysterical. The skyscrapers opened with Muse 15 feet in the air, each one in their own skyscraper, rocking the first single, Uprising, off their newest record, The Resistance. Is there a more perfect song to get a concert started? If there is, I certainly can’t think of one quickly. The Chicago crowd was eating from the palm of their hands from there on out. Up next was the current single, Resistance, a song that the crowd loved singing along to. Following that was New Born, an electric song alone, but Muse turned it up 10 notches with a blinding green laser light show. In any other circumstance a light show such as this one could have bordered on annoying. Not with this song. Not with this crowd. Not with this band. It fit as perfectly as a Britney Spears costume change. Yes, Muse, in only three songs, created madness unheard of in an arena that big when you aren’t named U2.

Muse kept on rolling from there, cranking out hits such as Super Massive Black Hole and Hysteria, along with the melodic ballads they are known for such as Guiding Light and United States Eurasia. Aside from electrifying the crowd without saying one word, Muse lead singer and guitarist Matthew Bellamy was in pristine form all evening long hitting every note perfectly on both the guitar and his vocals. Muse’s sound allows for and needs relatively complex drumming to accompany its unique counterparts and drummer Dominic Howard proved it can be done just as good if not better in a live setting than in the studio. From the first note in Uprising to the last song of the night, Howard made the complex beats look as if he was playing When The Saints Go Marching on a single snare. Bassist Christopher Wolstenholme added his expertise to the trio as well. Along with nailing the background vocals all evening long, Wolstenholme held the entire set together seamlessly with heavy bass grooves and underrated melodic accompaniment.

To close out a mastery of a set, the band chose mega huge hit Starlight, Unnatural Selection, Time Is Running Out, and Plug In Baby. Not unlike the rest of the concert, the entire crowd in unison chimmed in on Starlight, clapping the drum part, and belting the lyrics. Though Unnatrual Selection is a newer tune those in the audience who knew the song well sang along and the others watched in mesmerized fashion as the band scorched through with passion and dedication. A blistering version of Time Is Running Out led into the perfect closer of Plug In Baby which ended with Bellamy going off on his guitar, swinging it in circles and driving him into the ground where he laid for the remainder of the set. The distortion of the guitar remained on stage as the band exited to a thunderous applause of jolted, electric, and satisfied but hungry, rabid Chicago fans.

Muse opened their encore with a slow and smooth “Symphony” from their new album. The slow rhythm and melody melted the fans into a hypnotic state for the shows final two songs, Stockholm Syndrome and Knights Of Cydonia. The ravenous guitar riffs in Stockholm promptly elicited the head-banging and fist pumping from the hypnotized fans. Knights Of Cydonia, simply put, could have been one of the most exciting moments in my concert life. The band started it off with a slow introduction in which you could imagine cowboys squaring off in an old western gun fight. From there, Bellamy hit the three notes everyone was dying to hear and rest was history. With the crowd entranced, Muse took advantage and built up a collective excitement in the audience. With the band, crowd, and probably even the geeky United Center usher, singing “No One’s Gonna Take Me Alive” that excitement bubbled over into the crowd collectively losing their mind while the band pounded out the rest of song with relentless precision and electric passion. Just as Uprising was the perfect song to start the show, Knights was the perfect choice to end it.

Overall, this was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. The interesting thing was that Muse was able to captivate the audience by letting the music do the talking. It was the music that got the place going and the music that held us all together as one as the night went on. Muse is a relatively new band with a lot left to do for the rock and roll world. They are adding new fans by the second not by changing the way they sound but by crafting and honing their own sound. With this tour, they took to the big stage for the first time ever and made the big stage seem like a backyard barbecue. It was that intimate and that special. Not every band can do that, only the best.

Rolling Stones, U2, Green Day, Pearl Jam, it doesn’t matter. Muse is on the way, gaining steam, and becoming one of the best bands in the world today.

Chicago Weekend Concert Info 3/12-3/14

Here is your Chicago Weekend Concert information for this week!

Bottom Lounge
3/12 - Kreator, Voivod, Nachtmystium, Evile, Lazarus A.D
3/13 - Ted Lee And The Pharmacists, Title Tracks, Chicago Stone Lighting Band
3/14 - Orphaned Land, Indian, Suidakra, A Storm Of Light, Vin Vengeance

Schubas
3/12 - Pretty Good Dance Moves, Harper Blynn, California Wives
3/13 - Ben Sollee, Daniel Martin Moore, Maiden Radio

Lincoln Hall
3/12 - Hockey, The Constellations, Tally Hall, Jukebox The Ghost, Skybox
3/13 - Claychella 2010
3/14 - Devrish

Cubby Bear
3/12 - MER, Train Company, That Saturday, Blue Light Room
3/13 - Sixteen Candles

How CDs Have Improved Music Listening

Compact Discs have a deservedly bad rap -- their sound is often shrill and edgy resulting in listener fatigue (though this has improved over the years), their costs were high and never came down, the plastic cases take up a lot of space and aren't "green," their size limits what can be done with cover art and makes lyrics unreadable, and in some ways -- especially for people who grew up listening to LPs -- make it less likely people will actually listen to the music because it's easy to put on a CD and forget about it -- something you can't do with a vinyl record.

But there's one area CDs deserve some credit, and that is the broad variety of music that suddenly became available once this technology became the accepted mode of music transfer.

Prior to CDs, finding back-catalog records required perseverance, persistance, and a little luck. Record companies didn't release back-catalog LPs, obscure records (such as blues records) that were printed in small runs to begin with were almost impossible to find, and many, many low-selling artists (a perfect example is Judee Sill, left) were simply not available. The only place to find such rarities was to scrounge used-record stores (not that that's a bad way to spend your day) and to visit garage sales hoping to stumble across someone's collection.

But once record companies realized they could make real money by selling music they've owned for years (and so wouldn't have to spend money to create and produce) they began reissuing not just older records but entire catalogs on CD. Music that had previously been available only through used-record bins or on "greatest hits" collections suddenly became available in the original LP format -- so you could hear more than just the hits -- and there was no risk of the scratches, skips, hisses, and pops that are the bane of the used-LP buyer. Perhaps even more important, because of the CDs extended length (LPs typically ran about 18 minutes per side while CDs are more than triple that) record companies began including additional music in the form of alternate takes or "live" performances as bonus tracks. So not only could listeners find music that had been released but was no longer available, they coud hear music that had not been released, including an opportunity to hear music as it was being developed by the artist.

This first had an impact in the jazz field where Blue Note, Capital, and Mosaic Records (the best archivist label in the business) began making available LP after LP on CD (though Mosaic offers both LP and CD for those who want the LP "sound"). Eventually rock and popular music picked up on the opportunities available and soon we had career-spanning box sets complete with song demos, works in progress, alternative cuts, and "live" tracks. True, there were box sets before the CD, but the extent of the box set content only became available once CDs hit the market. A typical 5-CD box would require eight or more LPs, so cost and convenience played a role.

In some ways the advent of the CD has diminished the enthusiast's search for "Holy Grail" records (I still recall the excitement of finally stumbling across Robert Nitehawk's Black Angel Blues in a used-record bin and then years later finding his Live On Maxwell Street record -- both of which I'd been searching for for years) by making the search to easy; there's value in the persistence. But that's a small price to pay for the huge variety of music that's now readily available. And besides, the Internet came along and had an impact magnitudes greater than CDs...but that's another column.

Smashing Pumpkins Add To Teargarden

The Smashing Pumpkins have added a new song to their ongoing Teargarden By Kaleidyscope project. Listen to the newest addition, A Stitch In Time, below.


A Stitch In Time

The White Stripes Northern Lights Shine Bright

No matter how big of a fan you are of The White Stripes, if you were at the Chicago premiere of the band’s new film “Under Great White Northern Lights,” you knew you were in for something special. From the couple who appropriately dressed as Jack and Meg White, on down to the folks in the very last row, there was a feeling in the air before the curtain rose that this film, like most White Stripes endeavors, would undoubtedly be good. This though, was great. A great look and a great insight into one of the most unique bands and unique tours of the past decade.

The film takes you on board with The White Stripes as they tour Canada for the very first time. Like Jack points out, when discussing the intricacies of the tour, he wanted it done fairly and done right. To most, that could easily mean, three or four big shows in the biggest of Canadian cities. Jack and Meg thought otherwise. Their idea, was to tour each and every province of Canada, no matter how small, and play a big show in the evening and a small intimate show with no warning and no tickets at a random location in town during the day.

A tour like that sounds like a grind and the ultimate example of “walking the line” because it is. That very aspect is what director Emmett Malloy captures so well in the film. One second, it’s the up close camera angles of worn out, drained individuals and the next second it’s a panning view of two rock superstars doing what they do best. The other aspect that Malloy captures so perfectly in “Lights” is the music. Though the shots and artistic prowess throughout virtually all the live performances was nothing short of outstanding, Malloy uniquely and accurately uses the music as a common denominator for the entire project. It ties the whole thing together. From Jack and Meg picking apart details of their performances, to Jack playing along to various songs on the radio, to Jack bringing Meg to tears while singing on the piano, to the two of them creating loud, thunderous tunes fit for a band of six, you are able to realize and see firsthand that the music is the single driving force behind The White Stripes. It takes them over and almost holds them as ruthless, excited, happy, hostages.

While the film has its emotional ups and downs, it certainly leaves plenty of room for comedy as well. The highlighted daytime performances show the band, but especially Jack in all his humorous glory, entertaining fans onstage at a bowling alley, daycare center, and bus. We won’t spoil the best location. As great of an idea that these small shows were in terms of endearing yourself to your fans, you also see through Jack and Meg’s interaction with the people that they aren’t performing at random locations simply for others, but for their own zest for knowledge as well. Unlike many bands plowing through a city on tour, Jack and Meg White seem to generally care and want to integrate themselves into each location and learn about the people and towns in which they have become rock gods.

This is a film about The White Stripes, by The White Stripes. As a viewer you aren’t shown the bickering, annoyances, and day to day disagreements that may occur on tour between band mates, but by the end of the film you do get a feeling of a genuine love between the two members. It may be a love for one another or a love for the music they are creating together, but no matter which one it is, there is no sign that any of it is forced. Because of that relationship and that love, The White Stripes can and will be together for a very long time.

"Under Great White Northern Lights" is a must see for current fans, aspiring fans, and virtually all music fans in general. After all, what could make a music lover love music more than watching a group so dedicated, enthralled, and in love with what they are creating.

Drummer And My Chemical Romance Part Ways

Frank Lero of My Chemical Romance posted last week on the band's website that drummer Bob Bryar and the group have parted ways. This comes as a bit of shock to the music community and My Chem fans seeing as a new album was supposed to be on the horizon in the very near future. Additional details on Bob and the impending album were not available though Lero did say "We have been writing some very powerful new songs, so this week the four of us entered the studio once again, and what has been ending up on tape each night is some of the most exciting and honest work we have ever created."

Though Bob leaving the band is sad and unfortunate news, the hope is My Chem releases something for its salivating fans in the near future. We will have all the developing details as they become available.

Stripes, Rabbit, Hendrix Lead New Releases

Spring is almost here and for some reason this time of year always brings with it a whole crop of new releases. Here's a sneak peak at what's going to hit the market over the next month or so -- Oh, where to start?

Well, might as well start with what's being released soonest, which would be The White Stripes' Under the Great White Northern Lights. Lucky fans can get a sneak peak of the movie of the same name when it premiers in Chicago at the Music Box Theater tonight, and this first live CD by the Stripes has expectations high. The release on CD contains 16 songs that cut across the WS catalog. Icky Thump gets the most attention with the title cut, "300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues," "Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Work," and "I'm Slowly Turning Into You" getting their live debut. None of the cuts are available for preview listening but you can catch them at NPR.org today through March 16 during All Things Considered's "First Listen" series. You can preorder a limited edition box set ($200+)or you can get it in CD, DVD or vinyl.

Also out soon is Frightened Rabbit's follow-up to their critically acclaimed second CD, The Midnight Organ Fight. Titled The Winter of Mixed Drinks, the CD sounds like it might just pick up where Organ left off, then go a little bit further if the single released in February is any indication. That cut, titled "Swim Until You Can't See Land," shows the band working with less sparse arrangements, greater melody, and an almost lush studio sound. And lead singer Scott Hutchison likes it. "It's better than the last one," he said on the record company's website.

Next up is Valleys of Neptune, a "new" release from the vaults of the Jimi Hendix curators. And while any more releases from the Hendrix catalog have to be viewed cynically -- there's not a worse example of catalog exploitation out there, whether the rock star is dead or alive (though both Elvises come close) -- this collection might just be worth the experience. Recorded in 1969, familiar cuts such as "Fire" and "Stone Free" reportedly get a stripped-down, revved up treatment, and covers such as "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Bleeding Heart" reportedly hint at the direction Hendrix might have been heading.

For all you Lady Gaga fans out there, you can get your fix straight from the pseudo-Diva's mouth on X-Posed, a spoken word interview-only CD that reportedly offers insights into "how she developed her own style," how she achieved "such huge popularity," and "why her image is just as important to her as her sound." Supposedly "candid" and "somewhat risque"... As if she's not over X-posed already. Madonna, anyone?

And if that's not quirky enough for you, maybe Graham Parker's Imaginary Television is what you need. A New Wave rocker who hit it big and then faded to low-impact status, Parker can write great tunes and knows how to turn a phrase, so maybe this new foray is worth a listen. Seems Graham got tired of sitting around watching TV and listening to TV theme songs "chosen by idiots." So "inspired by the grossly lame themes used for sitcoms and television dramas" he created his own ideas for TV shows -- then proceeded to write the theme songs for each show. No lyrics on the CD cover but you do get the TV show plots. "It's the story, of a lovely lady..." I can hear it now...

And that's just a few...more to come!

Chicago Weekend Concert Info 3/5-3/7

Here is this week's Chicago Weekend Concert Info!

Schubas
3/5 - Robyn Hitchcock
3/6 - The Blacks, Son Of Cops, Quentin Hirsley
3/7 - The Heligoats, Ami Saraiya, Robert Sarazin Blake

Lincoln Hall
3/5 - Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears, Hacienda, DJRC
3/6 - Fruit Bats Blue Giant, The Singleman Affair
3/7 - Serj Tankian: Elect The Dead Symphony

Bottom Lounge
3/5 - The J. Davis Trio, Blah Blah Blah
3/6 - Gauge, Runner, American Heritage, Big Science
3/7 - Goatwhore, Enfold Darkness, The Muzzler, Dark Spectrum

Cubby Bear
3/5 - Urge Overkill, Lucid Ground, Loyal Divide
3/6 - Band Called Catch

Elbo Room
3/5 - Nadafinga, Vultures Are Lovebirds, Johnny Rev
3/6 - The Red Handed, Burned At Both Ends, Rough Cut, Paulie G
3/7 - Section 4, Fur Coats For Sportsmen, The Devyl Nellies

Video Of The Week: Muse And Starlight

The video of the week this week comes to us from all the way across the pond. Muse! In the video, the band performs in stunning fashion the song Starlight, the tune that helped launched them into the worldwide spotlight. They will be in Chicago next Friday March 12th for a show at the United Center. Tickets are still available. Be sure to check back here for a full review of the concert if you have to miss it.

New Album Set For The Black Keys

The thrashy, blues duo known as The Black Keys is ready to add another album to its growing collection. Brothers, the band's 6th studio album is set to be released on May 18th of this year. Of the new album, drummer Patrick Carney tells Billboard "Dan and I grew up a lot as individuals and musicians prior to making this album. Our relationship was tested in many ways but at the end of the day, we're brothers, and I think these songs reflect that."

The release of Brothers follows Attack And Release, the most successful and mainstream album in the groups history, selling over 206,000 copies according to Nielson Soundscan. With the official announcement of the new album, The Keys also released a small batch of tour dates with stops in Iowa, Miami, Orlando, and New York City for the Central Park Summerstage.

Here is the track list for Brothers.

"Everlasting Light"
"Next Girl"
"Tighten' Up"
"Howlin' For You"
"She's Long Gone"
"Black Mud"
"The Only One"
"Too Afraid To Love You"
"Ten Cent Pistol"
"Sinister Kid"
"The Go Getter"
"I'm Not The One"
"Unknown Brother"
"Never Gonna Give Up On You"
"These Days"

Young Performs "Long May You Run" at Olympics

Neil Young selected "Long May You Run" to help close out the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Dressed in a long black coat and black flat-top hat Young stood solo beneath the campfire Olympic flame, playing harmonica and supporting the song with an easy strum of a well-worn guitar.

The song, from the short-lived Stills-Young Band and recorded on an LP of the same name, was a solid choice. Like Bob Dylan's "Forever Young," "Long May You Run" is a nostalgic, heartfelt look back with hopeful nod toward what's ahead. Young once said it was written "for my first car and my last lady," but in his biography, "Shakey," he says it was written mainly for his first car, a used hearse he named Mort. He relied on the car to get teenage versions of his band from gig to gig, but sadly Mort dropped its transmission in Blind River, where Young had to abandon it for lack of funds.