Tom Lynch

A big, bold lineup of small, messy bands that go maybe too well together—the lackadaisical indie rock might blend into one big ironic mess. The odd part is that all three bands are actually pretty good—headlining is Chicago’s The Narrator, whose "All That to the Wall" (Flameshovel) is its best, a sloppy, engrossing jaunt of slacker achievement. The record’s very charming all the way through. New York City’s The End of the World is, first and foremost, a garage band that, well, sounds like it, and "You’re Making It Come Alive," the most recent excursion, features a nice mix of jangly, arguing instruments that always finish on the right page in the end (live, it’s fun as well). The combination of teachers and their students make up Brooklyn’s The Subjects, which combined pieces of prog rock and sixties pop for the intensely pleasing "with the ease grace precision and cleverness of human beings" (Pretty Activity), the band’s debut from earlier this year.

The Narrator, The End of the World and The Subjects play July 21 at Hideout, 1354 West Wabansia, (773)227-4433, at 9pm. $8.

(2007-07-17)

Also by Tom Lynch

Soundcheck
Rasputina’s devilish, explosive "Oh Perilous World," the chamber-rock, cello-driven band’s new record, ignites from the start
(2007-07-02)

Criminally Yours
New York’s Robbers on High Street had a satisfying debut in 2005’s "Tree City"—pieces gritty, pieces heart-on-sleeve bewilderment, the trio had planted the seeds for a fine career. "Grand Animals," the band’s new record made me queasy when I first heard it. I listened again, immediately, and I loved it
(2007-07-02)

Tip of the Week
ACM (Another Chicago Magazine) celebrates the release of its latest issue, titled "ACM is DEAD," as a part of the Red Rover Series, which consistently hosts experimental reading events—tonight’s theme, "Exquisite Corpse," features contributors to the issue, helping each other, however blindly, complete pieces of work, in all exquisite corpse glory
(2007-07-02)

Tip of the Week
Canada’s great Great Lake Swimmers offered their latest, "Ongiara," in March, on Nettwerk Records, and it’s what to be expected—the soft folk-rock matched with an indie-rock sensibility, comparable to, of course, Red House Painters or Iron & Wine, is heart-throbbing and melancholy
(2007-06-26)

Fest Quest
(2007-06-22)

Tip of the Week
(2007-06-22)

Tip of the Week
(2007-06-22)

Can We Sing a Little Higher Please?
(2007-06-15)

Soundcheck
(2007-06-12)

Tip of the Week
(2007-06-12)

Soundcheck
(2007-06-05)

Songcraft
(2007-06-05)

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