Tom Lynch

Matthew Kerstein, formerly of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, has perhaps eclipsed his previous band with his new project Brighton, MA, whose upcoming self-titled debut features some truly gorgeous pop nostalgia, taking influence from The Cure, The Replacements and even a little bit of The Who. With an indie-rock heart, Kerstein delivers his smoky growl--sometimes Dylanesque, like on "Good Kind of Crazy"--to some heavy, full instrumentation (the record was recorded by Steve Albini). "Bet You Never Thought" has been written about before--beautiful in the way it builds, trodding along with acoustic guitar and harmonic, feedback-laden electric distortion and a lovely vocal melody, the song's instantly affecting, captivating, part of you. Even the kindly finger-picking of "Graceland," complete with Kerstein's channeling of Paul Westerberg, resonates long after. From the sounds of it, it's gonna be a very, very good album.

Brighton, MA opens for The Slip and Gringo Star on March 16 at Double Door, 1572 North Milwaukee, (773)489-3160, at 9pm. $15. (2007-03-13)

Also by Tom Lynch

Soundcheck
Eric Elbogen, aka Say Hi to Your Mom, has now constructed four homemade, lo-fi, sweet and smart full-length records--"Discosadness," "Numbers and Mumbles," "Ferocious Mopes," "Impeccable Blahs"--heavy on concept, filled with swarming pop hooks, minimal electronics, Elbogen's often-whispery delivery and his curious ability to turn a simple, straightforward lyric into a sea of possibility
(2007-03-06)

Love, Lethem, Love
The author of "Motherless Brooklyn," a stunning, layered and near-mystic crime novel, "The Fortress of Solitude," his semi-autobiographical, saddening, marvelous tale about two boys growing up in Brooklyn through decades of gentrification and 2005's fantastic collection of essays, "The Disappointment Artist," now offers "You Don't Love Me Yet," a comedy of sorts, a strange, sarcastic and charming tale of love and art and sex and music in Los Angeles
(2007-03-06)

Tip of the Week
Hideout has constructed an insane one-day festival--built to benefit the local bands and artists bound for Austin's South by Southwest festival next week--that runs noon to midnight, for only ten bucks
(2007-03-06)

Tip of the Week
The eleventh annual Story Week Festival of Writers, presented, as always, by Columbia College, hits the streets this week with a variety of events that boast impressive lineups
(2007-03-06)

NONFICTION REVIEW
(2007-02-27)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-27)

Sea Dogs
(2007-02-27)

Soundcheck
(2007-02-20)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-20)

The Unreal World
(2007-02-20)

Syked Out
(2007-02-13)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-13)

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