Dave Chamberlain

A rundown of recent records or upcoming records from local artists:

English Softhearts, "Double Platinum" (The Magic Spot) out July 22

On this strangely inconsistent record, the Softhearts, who have been kicking around Chicago for more than six years (releasing four full-lengths along the way), have made an album with a sometimes-brilliant sound that occasionally turns into a big mess. Sifting a disjointed, nearly uncomfortable rock style together with an abusive form of new wave, "Double Platinum" typifies the recent trend of musicians mashing together styles that don't look good on paper, but work on CD. Bizarre and hard rockin' in one breath.

Frisbie, "Period." (Hear Diagonally) out June 15

"Period." is an all-acoustic live performance done to showcase the songs of drummer Zack Kantor. The record might sound like a bit of a copout--what with the band still riding a debut record from 2000--but fans of the band will eat this up. With pop songs firmly rooted in the soil of the sixties, virtually all of the eleven tracks are candy-coated nuggets of good listening. It won't overwhelm you with seriousness, but that's hardly the point of Frisbie.

Sterling, untitled, (File Thirteen)

An all-instrumental record can be a tough sell, but the quartet that makes up Sterling approaches it the right way by injecting it with a darkness that's evident from the cover art to the last track. Less angular and more sweeping, oppressive and enveloping than most of the city's indie rock, Sterling somehow transfer all the evil and doom of death metal into an album that's decidedly not metal in nature. Most notable: the casual, wire-tight interplay between drummer Tony Lazzara and bassist Craig Ackerman, who tether the tracks with molten rhythm.

Viza Noir, "No Record" (Flameshovel)

The Viza Noir trio take the past musical scripts of Wire, Joy Division, the Ex and even Codeine and throw a big nuclear bomb right on top. "No Record" stands as the band's proper debut and despite sharp guitar and songwriting chops, as well as the semi-pretentious song titles ("You're Going to Break That Chair, Tom Colley"), Viza Noir pumps a raw, driving energy into the record that smashes the indie-rock cliche. Call it post-punk prog rock with a razor's edge.

Joan of Arc, "So Much Staying Alive and Lovelessness" (Jade Tree)

The first of two records released by Joan of Arc this year (the other, "In Rape Fantasy and Terror Sex We Trust," is out now on Perishable Records), and the first proper JoA record since 2000, "Lovelessness" carries on the band's tradition of melting together post-rock dreaminess with prog-rock and dice-rolling emo. As such, it's not a record made for instant gratification--crisscrossing melodies, vocals with jerking cadences and a sense of dripping self-absorption can make for a murky initial listen. JoA gives the record a very un-Chicago standout track in "Mr. Participation Billy," propelled by a delightful, almost silly little piano riff that--despite the fact that they speak of a man getting his pelvis smashed with a baseball bat--sounds almost joyful.

Trenchmouth, "More Motion" (Thick)

Collecting what is essentially the best of Trenchmouth from the band's four out-of-print records, the nineteen songs on "More Motion" provide a veritable roadmap of punk/indie rock, even though the band has been dormant since 1998. As purveyors of theoretical punk rock (as opposed to retread, three-chords-and-a-pile-of-trash punk rock), the styles change almost from track-to-track, but one thing remains constant: bubbling, crackling energy, the sound of four band members throwing everything they have into every song. As much as any Bad Brains or Minor Threat record, "More Motion" is punk-rock history.

The Like Young, "Art Contests" (Parasol)

So far, the best local rock record I've heard this year, despite the fact that The Like Young are yet another boy-girl, two-person rock team (the married couple Joe and Amanda Ziemba, formerly of Wolfie). "Art Contests" is straight-rock music at its best, loaded with clean vocals, smart hooks, sharp riffs and a big, wide guitar sound. In the late eighties and early nineties, music like this was labeled grunge. No need for labels here though, as the eleven tracks on the record--from top to bottom--are instantly addictive, the kind of songs that, as you listen to the record for the first time, make you hit "repeat" as it fades to black.

(2003-06-04)

Also by Dave Chamberlain

Author Visit
Just in time for the twentieth annual Chicago Blues Festival, author David Grazian takes a swing at the present state of modern blues in "Blue Chicago: The Search for Authenticity in Urban Blues Clubs."
(2003-05-28)

Raw Material
The Deadly Dragon Sound System returns
(2003-05-28)

Tip of the Week
Since the inception of insurgent country, legions of modern honky-tonkers have tried to meld the seemingly disparate forces of punk rock and country music. Some have come close, but few have succeeded--until now.
(2003-05-21)

Raw Material
Local H., the local two-man band, has ridden a roller-coaster ride of tangible success.
(2003-05-21)

Tip of the Week
(2003-05-14)

All grown up
(2003-05-14)

Raw Material
(2003-05-14)

Music Tip of the Week
(2003-05-07)

Marr's attack
(2003-05-07)

Raw Material
(2003-05-07)

Tip of the Week
(2003-04-30)

Raw Material
(2003-04-30)

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