Oldies

Everyone has discovered their oldies favorites in a different way. You may have been introduced to them kid; with no music taste, your favorites became Zeppelin and Bowie, the music your dad would blast from a CD player. Maybe you gathered them from a hip friend who states they were “born in the wrong time period” as they introduce you to the classic sounds of Buddy Holly and Frank Sinatra. Or maybe, you actually lived during those times and listening to these old tunes help grow a sense of nostalgia in you. Whichever route lead you to the great music of past times, you’ll always have those songs and albums, no matter how old they get.

Artist of the Week- Billy Joel: It’s hard to go throughout life without ever hearing a song by Billy Joel. If you find yourself in a crowded area with a piano or maybe singing karaoke, the odds of having the song “Piano Man” come up are very likely, but by no means is that a bad thing. Actually, if you ever stumble across songs like “Uptown Girl”, “The Longest Time”, or “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, there is a good chance you will enjoy them. He didn’t get the title third best-selling solo artist in the United States selling 150 million records for no reason. So, if you haven’t fallen in love with his gifted voice and astonishing piano skills, I highly recommend.  

Album of the Week- Bridge over Troubled Water: The most ambitious album from an infamous duo, Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water explored with ease. The beautiful songwriting of Paul Simon leads the listeners to hit emotions that has not been encompassed in any other album since. Through the tragically uplifting “Bridge Over Trouble Water” and the sensitivity of “the Only Living Boy in New York” coupled with the bounciness of “Cecelia” and “Keep the Customer Satisfied,” drags the audience through a range of motion that mirrors the complexity of relationships and life itself. Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Trouble Water paved the way for so many artists after them and continues to inspire folk artists as well as so many other songwriters.

Music Discovery Playlist: God Only Knows- Beach Boys, Everyday-Buddy Holly, Fly Me to the Moon- Frank Sinatra, September-Earth, Wind and Fire, December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)-The Four Seasons,  Across the Universe-The Beatles, In the Summertime-Mungo Jerry, Piano Man-Billy Joel, You Make My Dreams-Daryl Hall & Oates

Nostalgia Playlist: Space Oddity- David Bowie, Friends Will Be Friends- Queen, Losing My Religion- R.E.M., Solsbury Hill- Peter Gabriel, You Make Loving Fun- Fleetwood Mac, Edge of Seventeen- Stevie Nicks, This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)- Talking Heads, The Only Living Boy in New York- Simon & Garfunkel, Tiny Dancer- Elton John, Vienna- Billy Joel, Never Going Back Again- Fleetwood Mac

Upcoming Concerts:

Cage the Elephant- Aragon Ballroom- Chicago, IL- 12/2/2016- 7:00pm

James Bay- Chicago Theatre- Chicago, IL- 12/3/2016- 6:00 pm

Stevie Nicks and the Pretenders- United Center- Chicago, IL- 12/3/2016- 7:00 pm

Bastille- The Rave/Eagles Club- Milwaukee, WI- 12/8/2016- 7:30 pm

G-Eazy- All-State Arena- Chicago, IL- 12/10/2016- 7:00pm

The Oh Hellos- Thalia Hall- Chicago, IL- 12/10/2016- 7:00 pm

Snoop Dogg- Riverside Theatre- Milwaukee, WI- 12/22/2016- 8:00 pm

Flume- Donald E. Stephens Convention- Rosemont, IL- 12/30/2016- 7:00pm

Rock

Since the beginning of its creation, rock music has been breaking down barriers. Although it is often thought that rock music was only intended to rebel against the light, happy sock hop style of music, it has turned into so much more. 

Artist of the Week: David Bowie: He was a trendsetter and legend. He broke boundaries. David Bowie known for his risks in his fashion, his makeup and greatest of all his music. Even after his death, the light rock sound of “Heroes,” and “Space Oddity,” continue to be celebrated by so many generations after him. Even in his final years, Bowie continued to make songs like “Lazarus,” a hauntingly beautiful melody. It is no wonder that so many mourn his loss, but it is also no surprise that his influence continues to carry through the rock and roll community. 

Album of the Week: Californication: The seventh Red Hot Chili Peppers album and arguably the most popular leaves a memorable impression on all who not only explore it but really listen. Californication examines a variety of topics that don’t always present themselves in their other albums. These themes include lust, death, contemplations of suicide, drugs, travel, and of course, California. The sound of it reveals a softer, melodic side to the group. The main point behind the album was to “tell tales of wandering souls who’ve lost their way searching for the American dream in California.” I think this is the best description for this album. If you aren’t in the mood to listen to the full thing right away, I would suggest starting with “Californication,” “Road Trippin’,” or “Around the World.” I guarantee it will draw out the “wandering soul” that all of us secretly possess. 

Rock Discovery: Rhiannon- Fleetwood Mac, Good Feeling- The Violent Femmes, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out- The Smiths, All These Things That I’ve Done- The Killers, Snow (Hey Oh)- Red Hot Chili Peppers, Next Girl- Black Keys. Baby Says- The Kills, Take It or Leave It- Cage the Elephant 

Mellow rock: This Charming Man-The Smiths, And I love her-The Beatles, Her Majesty-The Beatles, Someday-Strokes, November Rain- Guns N’ Roses, Iris-The Goo Goo Dolls 

Upcoming Concerts 
Two Door Cinema Club - Aragon Ballroom - 11/25/16 - 8:30 pm 

Morrissey - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/27/16 - 7:30 pm

Stevie Nicks - United Center - Chicago, IL - 12/03/16 - 7:00 pm

Cage The Elephant- Aragon Ballroom- Chicago, IL- 12/2/16- 7:00 pm 

Stevie Nicks - United Center - Chicago, IL - 12/03/16 - 7:00 pm 

Fitz and The Tantrums- Aragon Ballroom- Chicago, IL- 12/3/16- 7:00 pm 

Charlie Puth and James Bay- Chicago Theatre- 12/3/16- 7:30 pm

Hip Hop

Hip Hop can not be boiled down to one sound. You cannot put a label on hip hop. It's infused with culture and passion in ways one wouldn’t expect. It’s real. Often synonymous with rap music, it has changed styles through the decades going from basic beats to modern, complex, multi-instrumental beats. Lyrics and the overall sounds of hip hop have changed due to the different lifestyles rappers live today. Not to disregard the violence today, but it was much more severe in the 80’s and 90’s. With the few modern day exceptions, hip hop remains authentic, proclaiming truth to all those willing to welcome the unknown.

Artist of the Week: Notorious B.I.G.: The Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher George Latore Wallace) was an American rapper known as one of the most influential rappers of not only the hip hop movement but of all time. He came onto the hip hop scene in 1994 with his remarkable debut album Ready to Die, the only album released during his lifetime. The album describes his life, connecting the violence and intensity of living on the streets with the emotional trauma that came with it. The easy flowing lyrics were the perfect way to tell the story. A sinister sense of depression is also present in the album with the dark tones. His second album, Life After Death,  had a major theme of his rivals with other rappers. A few weeks before the release, he was shot sitting in his car. Despite his young death at the age of 24, his legacy remained, well, notorious.  

Album of the Week: Coloring Book: In an industry where a lot of music can sound the same, an innovator can come in and change everything. Chicago native, Chance the Rapper, uses his latest mixtape, Coloring Book, as an opportunity to express every part of himself. He proclaims his love of music on the track “All We Got,” he shares a story of fighting big record labels on “No Problem,” and he preaches his belief in religion in “Finish Line/Down.” The prophetic nature in which Chance talks about God working in the world around him can bring the most skeptical person to their knees. All of this paired with the collaboration of dozens of artists like Justin Bieber, Lil’ Wayne, Future and so much more, makes this album diverse. It is no wonder that Pitchfork called Coloring Book “one of the strongest rap albums released this year.”

Discover Playlist: Ivy-Frank Ocean, Too Good-Drake, Bound 2-Kanye West, No Role Modelz- J.Cole, Up, Up, & Away- Kid Cudi, Just Playing (Dreams)-The Notorious B.I.G., Sober-Childish Gambino, Dang!- Mac Miller, and Juke Jam-Chance the Rapper

Pump Up Playlist: Donald Trump - Mac Miller, All In - Kid Cudi, Most Of All - JMSN, 3005 - Childish Gambino, AU79 - Tyler, the Creator, Gametime - Chuck Inglish, Godspeed - Frank Ocean, Pursuit of Happiness - Kid Cudi

Upcoming concerts:

FIDLAR- Metro Smart Bar- Chicago, IL- 11/17/16- 8:00 pm

Band of Horses - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/16/16 - 7:30 pm

Two Door Cinema Club - Aragon Ballroom - 11/25/16 - 8:30 pm

Morrissey - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/27/16 - 7:30 pm

Cage The Elephant- Aragon Ballroom- Chicago, IL- 12/2/16- 7:00 pm

Stevie Nicks - United Center - Chicago, IL - 12/03/16 - 7:00 pm

Fitz and The Tantrums- Aragon Ballroom- Chicago, IL- 12/3/16- 7:00 pm

Charlie Puth and James Bay- Chicago Theatre- 12/3/16- 7:30 pm

Indie

Whether it’s a small diversion from mainstream pop or exploring a different sector of rock, indie has always been a genre for music enthusiasts open to something new. Indie, standing for independent, refers to “do it yourself,” low budget record labels. Since these labels are so low budget, most of the bands aren’t really noticed until their music is listened to. This genre leaves so much to be discovered.

Artist of the week: Twin Peaks: This group of Chicago natives are slowly growing from small unknown garage band to make their first record Sunken to performing their own nationwide tour. Known for their song Making Breakfast, Twin Peaks is definitely on the rise and sure to produce more music. Many critics commend Twin Peaks for mixing 1980’s garage rock with 2010’s punk. This fresh fusion creates an indie band that is sure to intrigue most listeners. Their newest album, Down in Heaven, mixes their slower guitar with a splash of punk on songs like Heavenly Showers and Holding Roses, while simultaneously keeping an upbeat rock n’ roll ambiance with Have You Ever? and Wanted You. But the best part is this new band is going to be in Chicago on December 17th. Maybe we’ll see you there.

Album of the Week: Juno Movie Soundtrack: After the director of the independent, quirky film Juno asked the leading actress Ellen Page what her character Juno would listen to, she immediately said, “The Moldy Peaches!”. This suggestion grew to be the charming indie album Music from the Motion Picture Juno. Don’t let the idea that it is a movie soundtrack scare you off. The music of this album is enthralling. Featured artists include The Moldy Peaches, Kimya Dawson, Belle & Sebastian, The Kinks, Barry Louis Poilsar, Cat Power, amongst others. For me, the most loveable quirks of the songs are that the sound of it isn’t absolutely perfect. The singing isn’t 10/10 and sometimes the songs can feel quite messy. However, this just adds to the authenticity of the album. It isn’t autotuned, and the lyrics aren’t the same that you hear everyday on the radio. It has it’s very own independent, eccentric vibe. My personal favorite on the album is “Piazza, New York Catcher” by Belle & Sebastian, which has grown to become my favorite songs of all time. To summarize it up, it is 47 minutes of pure love.

Playlist 1 (Discovery): Vacation- Florist, Coffee- Sylvan Esso, Hey Mami- Sylvan Esso, Songs for Zula- Phosphorescent, Black Balloons- Local Natives,  Joey- Agua Roja,Transitions- El Ten Eleven, We Don’t Need Our Heads- A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Red Eyes- The War on Drugs.

Playlist 2 (Chill): Ms- Alt J, Sweet Disposition- Temper Trap, Outside with the Cuties- Frankie Cosmos, Breezeblocks- Alt J, 17- Youth Lagoon, i was all over her- salvia palth, I Get Lost in You in the Summertime- Jimmy Whispers, All of Them Dreams- Tom Rosenthal, Toothpaste Kisses- The Maccabees, Creature Fear- Bon Iver, Ends of the Earth- Lord Huron, Sedona- Houndmouth, I’d like to walk around in your mind- Vashti Bunyan, Open Season- High Highs, Can I See You Today- i tried to run away when i was 6, Some Things Last A Long Time- Daniel Johnston, New Slangs- The Shins, Go Go Chaos- Bonjah, Weird Honey-Elvis Depressedly, Amy’s Friend-Bombadil, Cooking Up something Good- Mac Demarco

Upcoming concerts:

The Goo Goo Dolls- Genesee- Waukegan, IL - 11/09/16 - 7:30pm

The Pretty Reckless- House of Blues - Chicago, IL - 11/11/16 - 5:30 pm

The Fray with special guest American Authors - The Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL - 11/11/16 - 8:00 pm

The 1975 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/13/16 & 11/14/16 - 7:00pm

Band of Horses - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/16/16 - 7:30 pm

Two Door Cinema Club - Aragon Ballroom - 11/25/16 - 8:30 pm

Morrissey - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/27/16 - 7:30 pm

Stevie Nicks - United Center - Chicago, IL - 12/03/16 - 7:00 pm