Tom Lynch

File under "Eco-Noir." Former Chicagoan Swartz has delivered a devilishly entertaining, quick-fire novel in "H20," his follow-up to 2002's "Instant Karma." Set in Chicago thirteen years from now, the tale follows an engineer, Hayden Shivers, as he discovers a method for creating fake water--a necessity, as the world is unfortunately confronted by a drinkable-water shortage. As a thriller, it works. As a comment on our continual raping of the environment, it works. As a dark, dirty and horrific satire, it works. You don't know why you're laughing, but you are, indeed. "H20" is scarily fast, daringly relevant and playfully crafty--no one's getting off easy, not even the damn water. It's like if "Chinatown" meets "An Inconvenient Truth," only Jake Gittes and Al Gore aren't very slick.

Mark Swartz reads from "H20" January 19 at Quimby's, 1854 West North, (773)342-0910, at 7pm. Free.

(2007-01-16)

Also by Tom Lynch

Our Little Ponys
Only a few years ago, local post-punk foursome The Ponys were the absolute toast of the town with its inventive, effortlessly impressive brand of danceable, garage-tinted rock. The band's 2004 debut, "Laced with Romance," on Los Angeles label In the Red, was remarkably thrilling. Rich in texture and straight-up rock `n' roll formula, it found its way onto several best-of lists and made the band the one to watch
(2007-01-09)

Tip of the Week
Sure, Curtains, Deerhoof and Sharks and Seals each make impressive, spasmodic and bizarre creations that somewhat defy categorization, but in the fourth slot tonight is the calm, pretty and pop-sensible Death Ships, whose dreadfully overlooked "Seeds of Destruction" pleasantly flows in its indie-pop accessibility and, at times, sheer beauty
(2007-01-09)

Tip of the Week
The Chicago-based but Madison-born band's new record, "Cholera," a fine improvement on its debut, "Janel," is its second on Wisconsin label Sector Five and a solid, radio-Modest Mouse-influenced collection of angular, jangly guitars and hypnotic, pulsing bass lines
(2007-01-02)

Tip of the Week
The first rock show of the new year brings us Brooklyn-based (but Minneapolis-founded) critical darlings The Hold Steady, whose breakthrough "Boys and Girls in America" (Vagrant Records)--after the equally pleasing "Almost Killed Me" and "Separation Sunday"--dutifully evokes middle-aged malaise through a rock `n' roll filter
(2006-12-22)

All Acquaintance Be Forgot
(2006-12-22)

The Year in Rock
(2006-12-19)

Tip of the Week
(2006-12-12)

Soundcheck
(2006-12-05)

Ms. Maverick
(2006-12-05)

Evan Dando Lives
(2006-12-05)

Tip of the Week
(2006-12-05)

Soundcheck
(2006-11-28)

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