Tom Lynch

The illustrious Film School has gone through some heavy changes over the last year, including a near-complete lineup revamp, but leader Greg Bertens is still in charge, and "Hideout," the San Francisco band’s latest, follows up 2006’s pleasing self-titled effort quite well. The band’s become considerably more shoegazer, even adding the vocals of Lorelei Plotczk, and the continual plunge into the depths once explored by Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine only improves the band. Songs like "Lectric" and "Sick Hipster Nursed by Suicide Girl" should quench all your ethereal, space-rock thirsts. Live, the band is vicious, which adds a new element to the already raw indie rock. The one drawback, one might say, is that Film School isn’t treading any new ground here and, in the scheme of things, isn’t as effective as its predecessors. That’s true, but it certainly doesn’t make "Two Kinds" anything less than a great rock song. The synths, specific drumming, dreamy vocal delivery and Fall-like guitar work come together to make something special, dark and alarming.

Film School plays October 31 at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, at 9pm. $12. (2007-10-23)

Also by Tom Lynch

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The walls of Ukrainian Village’s Darkroom are plastered with semi-erotic art pieces but tonight’s crowd doesn’t seem to notice. Some are there to avoid watching another inevitable Cubs playoff loss, others because it’s free, but all because they have at least a slight interest in the headliner, Chicago’s The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, the chamber-pop band that’s been making waves since as early as 2004
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Adult Music
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Tip of the Week
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