Latest blog headlines Animal Collective, "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (Domino) [4 STARS] (1/06/2009 16:30:04 PM) Ron Asheton, R.I.P. (1/06/2009 16:11:35 PM) Demo2DeRo: Zerostars (1/06/2009 16:06:46 PM) The worst/most overrated albums of 2008 (12/19/2008 13:20:38 PM) Attacking the Chicago Promoters Ordinance on video (12/19/2008 09:15:18 AM) This week on "Sound Opinions": The annual Christmas Spectacular (12/19/2008 09:04:07 AM) Chicago musicians to celebrate the Obama inauguration (12/17/2008 10:00:00 AM) The best concerts of 2008 (12/16/2008 16:22:16 PM) Club-hopping for the final weeks of '08 (12/16/2008 16:18:59 PM) Rock 'n' roll plans for New Year's Eve (12/16/2008 16:16:16 PM)
Jim DeRogatis' Top 10 albums of 2008
If there is any upside to these dire, perilous and truly frightening economic times, it is this: History has shown us that music is one of the only things in life that seems to be recession- (and depression-) proof. In fact, it thrives in times of crisis.
Don't let anyone tell you these are good
THE NEW YORK RADIO SHOW "SOUNDCHECK" asked me to list the worst/most overrated albums of the year. Here is my tally of 10 -- chosen largely for the fact that they were so relentlessly crammed down our throats as good instead of bad. They're ranked in no particular order because, let's face it, they are all rank enough already. -- Jim DeRogatis
THE NEW YORK RADIO SHOW "SOUNDCHECK" asked me to list the worst/most overrated albums of the year. Here is my tally of 10 -- chosen largely for the fact that they were so relentlessly crammed down our throats as good instead of bad. They're ranked in no particular order because, let's face it, they are all rank enough already. -- Jim DeRogatis
2008's best concerts, from rock to hip-hop, even comedy
Jim DeRogatis: As another long year of clubbing and concert-going comes to an end, its time to look back on the best moments of the 360 days just passed. Here is my tally of the 10 most memorable shows I reviewed in 2008, listed in chronological order including Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Weezer, Wire, AC/DC and more.
Jim DeRogatis: As another long year of clubbing and concert-going comes to an end, its time to look back on the best moments of the 360 days just passed. Here is my tally of the 10 most memorable shows I reviewed in 2008, listed in chronological order including Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Weezer, Wire, AC/DC and more.
Options quiet this year for rockin' eve
Jim DeRogatis: Not that any of us need any more evidence of the severity of this country's economic woes, but a quick scan of this year's musical New Year's Eve celebrations is ample testament to how much all of us are cutting back: I cannot recall a quieter New Year's in Chicago in terms of high-profile rock celebrations.
Jim DeRogatis: Not that any of us need any more evidence of the severity of this country's economic woes, but a quick scan of this year's musical New Year's Eve celebrations is ample testament to how much all of us are cutting back: I cannot recall a quieter New Year's in Chicago in terms of high-profile rock celebrations.
Demo2DeRo: Steak House Mints
Though one might question the wisdom of naming your band after that bowl of stale candy at the counter of an old-fashioned restaurant (best avoided for fear of other patrons who may not be so scrupulous in washing their hands after using the rest room), the Steak House Mints get absolutely everything else right on their recently released D.I.Y. debut album, "Out of the Sky." Their sound is an intricate and beautiful style of orchestral pop influenced by the Zombies, Nick Drake and "Pet Sounds"-era Beach Boys as well as more global avatars such as Os Mutantes and Astrud Gilberto.
Though one might question the wisdom of naming your band after that bowl of stale candy at the counter of an old-fashioned restaurant (best avoided for fear of other patrons who may not be so scrupulous in washing their hands after using the rest room), the Steak House Mints get absolutely everything else right on their recently released D.I.Y. debut album, "Out of the Sky." Their sound is an intricate and beautiful style of orchestral pop influenced by the Zombies, Nick Drake and "Pet Sounds"-era Beach Boys as well as more global avatars such as Os Mutantes and Astrud Gilberto.
Fall Out Boy wears it well with arena hair-metal disc
Jim DeRogatis: Go ahead and scoff at the entire mall-punk genre if you will ("Punk rock just isn't supposed to sound so glossy and commercial!"), but there can be no denying Fall Out Boy's mastery of the form, just as there was no denying the virtuosity, craftsmanship and ultimate appeal of, say, the best hair-metal acts in the '80s ("Heavy metal just isn't supposed to sound so glossy and commercial!"). In the end, any purists offended by the band's shuck and jive are just missing out on some harmless and irresistible fun.
Jim DeRogatis: Go ahead and scoff at the entire mall-punk genre if you will ("Punk rock just isn't supposed to sound so glossy and commercial!"), but there can be no denying Fall Out Boy's mastery of the form, just as there was no denying the virtuosity, craftsmanship and ultimate appeal of, say, the best hair-metal acts in the '80s ("Heavy metal just isn't supposed to sound so glossy and commercial!"). In the end, any purists offended by the band's shuck and jive are just missing out on some harmless and irresistible fun.
Oasis makes it clear: Nobody does it better
Jim DeRogatis: Pity the poor soul who catches a snippet of Britney Spears' "Womanizer" and then can't get it out of his or her head. Thankfully, a friend of mine has come up with the perfect solution when such a song is stuck on auto-repeat in your brain: Just sing "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis instead. It's also insanely catchy, but as my buddy says, "it isn't quite sticky enough to get lodged in your head, so once you've gone through the refrain and the chorus, not only is the prior earworm gone, so too is 'Champagne Supernova.'"
Jim DeRogatis: Pity the poor soul who catches a snippet of Britney Spears' "Womanizer" and then can't get it out of his or her head. Thankfully, a friend of mine has come up with the perfect solution when such a song is stuck on auto-repeat in your brain: Just sing "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis instead. It's also insanely catchy, but as my buddy says, "it isn't quite sticky enough to get lodged in your head, so once you've gone through the refrain and the chorus, not only is the prior earworm gone, so too is 'Champagne Supernova.'"
No one can gripe at this version of Young
Jim DeRogatis: The last time Neil Young performed a solo arena show in Chicago, five years ago, many concertgoers seemed to have come expecting the greatest hits. Instead, the long-running singer and songwriter delivered a piece of musical theater, performing his ambitious rock opera ''Greendale'' in its entirety before the album had even been released, and disappointing all but the most devoted fans willing to indulge any detour this dedicated contrarian might take.
Jim DeRogatis: The last time Neil Young performed a solo arena show in Chicago, five years ago, many concertgoers seemed to have come expecting the greatest hits. Instead, the long-running singer and songwriter delivered a piece of musical theater, performing his ambitious rock opera ''Greendale'' in its entirety before the album had even been released, and disappointing all but the most devoted fans willing to indulge any detour this dedicated contrarian might take.
