Tom Lynch

Sweden’s Sarah Assbring—alter ego, El Perro Del Mar—builds gentle, harmonious pop songs, sixties-sunshine-pop-inspired, straightforward and beautifully rendered. Her self-titled debut—mostly acoustic, peppered with the saddest lyrics heard on the planet—was hypnotizing and intoxicating. Her follow-up, the recently released "From the Valley to the Stars," has the same effect, though it loses some of the uppity pop gusto. Not to worry—it’s not gone completely, and Assbring’s ability to turn a simple phrase into a crushing passage has only improved. This sort of relaxation treatment would soothe the most serious of burns. That may not be your dope of choice, but hey, that’s your problem.

El Perro Del Mar plays May 12 at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, at 8pm. $15.

(2008-05-06)

Also by Tom Lynch

Don't Look Back in Anger
Veteran Chicago rock duo Local H, Scott Lucas and drummer Brian St. Clair (behind the kit since 1999, when he replaced Joe Daniels), in celebration of its new, perfectly titled "12 Angry Months" (Shout Factory), jumpstarts a weeklong residency at Beat Kitchen in which, leading up until the evening when the record’s released, the two will play one of the band’s albums in entirety
(2008-04-29)

Tip of the Week
When Canadian four-piece Tokyo Police Club emerged in 2006 with the "A Lesson in Crime" EP, the band was tapped as the next big thing from up north, and now with the release of its debut full-length, "Elephant Shell" (Saddle Creek), the group’s come to collect
(2008-04-29)

Rollin' Down to Cicero
Quick count: are there more stubbed-out cigarette butts outside Cicero Stadium, or more sleeve-tattoos inside? The gymnasium, full up on plastic cups of beer and sausage-and-cheese slices, with stands packed from floor to ceiling, has reached an uncomfortable temperature
(2008-04-22)

Tip of the Week
Ontario’s Constantines have been crafting genre-bending rock ‘n’ roll records for some time now—both "Shine a Light" (2003) and "Tournament of Hearts" (2005), each on Sub Pop, are memorable blends of classic rock and Fugazi-like structuring—and this month’s "Kensington Heights" (Arts & Crafts) might be the band’s best effort yet
(2008-04-22)

A New Kind of Body Farm
(2008-04-22)

On Almost Any Wednesday Evening
(2008-04-15)

Scout's Honor
(2008-04-15)

Soundcheck
(2008-04-08)

Soundcheck
(2008-04-08)

Tip of the Week
(2008-04-08)

Lucky You
(2008-04-01)

Tip of the Week
(2008-04-01)

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