Tom Lynch

A beast of a bill with four charming, impressive and intelligent local rock bands, this show offers a good indication of what 2007 was like in Chicago rock, a nice button on a big year—bigger for some than others—for these bands. Office released its "A Night at the Ritz" on Scratchie/New Line records, a stirring collection of danceable indie-pop—some of it previously released—that’s both bouncy and, at times, introspective. (The band also popped the MTV bubble, just recently appearing as a "Band to Watch" on MTV News.) Local Velvet Underground-esque throwback popsters The 1900s released their debut full-length, "Cold & Kind," an infectious bundle of emotional depth and dedicated charisma (live, the band’s fantastic). Indie-slackers The Narrator ripped through with "All That to The Wall" in May (on Flameshovel), and it’s the band’s most focused effort to date, a crunchy and loud escape into a lovely madness. Mannequin Men round out the bill; the snotty and recklessly assembled "Fresh Rot" was released via Flameshovel this past fall. Taking cues from The Wipers and maybe even a bit of the louder Stones, the aggressive onslaught of "Fresh Rot" leaves the taste of booze in your mouth (it might be my favorite local record of the year). Don’t miss this show—it’s sure to be fun.

Office, The 1900s, The Narrator and Mannequin Men play December 21 at Metro, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-0203, at 9pm. $10. (2007-12-18)

Also by Tom Lynch

Tip of the Week
This weekend the venerable local label Thrill Jockey celebrates fifteen years in the business with a two-day blowout of TJ acts, all of which, of course, are charmingly different than one another, which will ultimately make this fest wonderfully jarring
(2007-12-11)

Anatomy of Pop
Ingrid Michaelson’s work is easy to enjoy. The pleasant aural concoction of melancholic pop melody, a sequence of verse-chorus-verse structuring and pretty, if limited, vocals spouting textbook lovelorn reflection have always worked. The equation isn’t rocket science, and that’s part of the charm, of course—sometimes we just don’t want to think too hard. Call it laziness on my part, fine, but sometimes all I want to hear is Phil Collins, and Michaelson has a similar effect
(2007-12-04)

Tip of the Week
The blip-heavy indie-pop from Canada’s The Most Serene Republic—the first non-Broken Social Scene-related band signed to Arts & Crafts—was initially introduced with 2005’s completely giddy, insane "Underwater Cinematographer," a baffling, but enjoyable, exercise in bubblegum IDM
(2007-12-04)

Tip of the Week
For the sixth year in a row, The Second City e.t.c. stage hosts "The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa," a twenty-four-hour benefit that provides holiday gifts for children in need
(2007-11-27)

For the Records
(2007-11-27)

For the Thrill of It
(2007-11-27)

Tip of the Week
(2007-11-19)

Math Man
(2007-11-06)

Seeing Red
(2007-10-30)

Tip of the Week
(2007-10-30)

Tip of the Week
(2007-10-30)

Tip of the Week
(2007-10-23)

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