Tom Lynch

After a year of heavy buzz, local boys The Changes finally release their debut full-length, "Today Is Tonight," on Drama Club Records. The record includes some old songs previously released on EPs, like "When I Wake," the album's opener and catchy crowd-pleaser. The album successfully blends eighties pop songwriting with synthesized electronics, from keyboards to drum loops, with Smiths-esque charm and bubblegum delight. "We've included old songs on there that we've tried and tested," says bassist Rob Kallick. "We always felt that we wanted those properly released." Kallick says the band's members have come together over the last three years, bonded in terms of what they each look for in a song. "As we got to know each other," he says, "our biggest common thread became the love of a strong melody. Everyone says we sound eighties. I was just listening to Phil Collins' `No Jacket Required' and the songs are amazing. The melodies are so strong. It's kind of cheesy, but we love almost everything that he does. We like strong melodies, hooky stuff that draws [you in]." He says right now, on the eve of the release, is an exciting time. "It's a lot of fun. For the four of us, I can't say enough, how close we are, how much fun we have, whatever we're doing."

The Changes play October 20 at Double Door, 1572 North Milwaukee, (773)489-3160, at 9pm. $10-$12. (2006-10-17)

Also by Tom Lynch

Soundcheck
Straight out of the Black Sabbath vault comes Austin's The Sword with "Age of Winters," a celebration of the heavy metal of the seventies and eighties
(2006-10-10)

Hold Your Head Up
Chicago can sometimes be a very cold, unforgiving place. But throughout its history, local indie-pop band Chin Up Chin Up, one of the best we have, has kept its head up
(2006-10-10)

Tip of the Week
Will Oldham has played under countless names and has been involved with several different projects--most recently the collaborative record of covers he did with Tortoise last year--but nothing has served him quite as well as his Bonnie `Prince' Billy moniker
(2006-10-10)

Tip of the Week
The2NDHAND editor Todd Dills introduced his first novel, "Sons of the Rapture," last month via Featherproof Books, and it's an impressive, booze-soaked debut, told from various perspectives with unapologetic frankness and raging fervor
(2006-10-10)

Soundcheck
(2006-10-03)

Passionate Painter
(2006-10-03)

Tip of the Week
(2006-10-03)

Tip of the Week
(2006-10-03)

Turn of the Century
(2006-09-26)

Tip of the Week
(2006-09-26)

Tip of the Week
(2006-09-26)

Brazen Bazan
(2006-09-19)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment