She Speaks in Tongues

Chicago band She Speaks in Tongues performs a set for the CHIRP Radio Factory Sessions...

"Cure for Pain" by Morphine

[This is an essay that I originally wrote for CHIRP Radio's Rediscovering Our Record Collections series.]

During my brief time living in Boston, I wasn’t nearly as big a Rock music fan as I am now. In college, my exposure to music was still pretty much limited to what I picked up from school marching band, the a-cappella group I sang in, and Top 40 radio (which, compared to today’s offerings, I now realize wasn’t all that bad).

I was still too young to appreciate what was going on artistically at the cutting edges of music in the Northeast, and I was definitely too poor to get to the bars and clubs to see the bands that made up the local emerging alternative scene, or “college rock” as it was known back then. The band I saw most often live was a group a college classmate of mine put together called Hot Spanky Porpoise. I always thought they were pretty good, but the $1 pitchers of Milwaukee’s Finest (the beer of choice for broke undergrads) probably influenced my judgment.

"Homogenic" by Björk

[This is an essay I wrote for CHIRP Radio's "Rediscovering Our Record Collections" series.]

When Pitchfork Media announced earlier this year that Björk Guðmundsdóttir would be performing at this summer’s annual music festival, I scratched my head a little. Not because it would be weird to have Bjork there – I was trying to figure out why she hasn’t performed there yet. If there were ever a music event and an artist made for each other, these two would be it: eclectic, reveling in their originality, and possessing the kind of persona that invites obsessive behavior from fans.

Take Two: "Our Lips Are Sealed" (The Go-Go's vs. Fun Boy Three)

[This is an article I originally wrote for CHIRP Radio.]

Can you hear them? They talk about us
Telling lies…well, that’s no surprise
Can you see them? See right through them
They have no shield, No secrets to reveal
It doesn’t matter what they say, in the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed

The First Version: A fun, punky-Pop single by a band that briefly took over America thanks to a great album (1981’s Beauty and the Beat) and the influence of MTV. The song is a perfect sample of the group’s energy and spirited attitude, propelled along by upbeat rhythm guitars, a slithering melodic bass line, and the strong, confident vocals of Belinda Carlisle, one of the more underrated singers to come out of the ‘80s Pop scene.

My Favorite Albums of 2010

This is my list of Best Albums of 2010 that I did for CHIRP Radio in December of that year...

1. Sleigh Bells – Treats (Mom & Pop Music)
    The debut album from duo Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss is a hail storm of big, visceral, static-and-feedback-soaked fun, both anchored and elevated by the sugar and spice of Miller’s catchy-as-hell hooks and Krauss’ assured, flirty vocals.
2. Delorean – Subiza (True Panther Sounds)
   Waves of sunny, pastel happiness from the Spanish former punk-rockers. It’s been said that great music transports you to other places. Whenever I listen to this album I want to be somewhere in southern Europe dancing on a beach.
3. Laetitia Sadier – The Trip (Drag City)
    This solo effort from Stereolab's lead singer is an expertly crafted, urbane, emotionally open Euro-pop that reflects the melancholy of life without ever becoming maudlin.

The Hottest Music from The Last Time Chicago Sports Teams Won a Championship...

[Originally written for CHIRP Radio. Hoping that it will soon be rendered outdated by a Cubs World Series championship...!]

There are many years in Chicago when the arrival of Autumn means it’s time to wrap up two disappointing baseball seasons and get ready for a disappointing football season. That’s not the case in 2015, though. The North-Side baseball franchise is battling for a spot in the playoffs, and the local gridiron team is showing signs of life after two years of being led by a well-meaning but novice coach. Fall is also the time when artists and bands come off the outdoor festival circuit and release their end-of-the-year albums. This annual transition of sports and music got me thinking what were folks listening to when Chicago’s five pro sports franchises went all the way?

Here’s a list of what the world was listening to the year each of the city’s five major sports franchises last won a championship, from two perspectives: the top album on the Billboard 200 chart, and other albums released during the year that are now, thanks to time and the perspective/wisdom it brings, regarded as classics:

Chicago Blackhawks: 2015

Once upon a time, not so long ago, they were the worst franchise in professional sports. But now they’re the hottest ticket in town thanks to three Stanley Cups in five years and no reason to think they can’t win a couple more in the near future. Chicago fans owe a huge “THANK YOU!” to club owner Rocky Wirtz, who not only completely turned his team around but also, by setting a new standard of excellence in all phases of franchise ownership, forced the city’s other mediocre teams to get off their butts and at least try to start winning.

BIGGEST ALBUM: So far, Taylor Swift’s 1999 (4 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard chart) is the best-selling album of the year, although we still have the holiday season to go. Along with a very few other Pop stars (Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, etc.) Swift appears to have a stranglehold on American Pop music, for reasons I have yet to understand. I have a feeling that somewhere, Garth Brooks is biding his time, waiting to strike…

BEST ALBUMS: CHIRP Radio’s Best Albums of 2015 won’t be out until December, but there’s already a lot of material to choose from, including Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, Currents by Tame Impala, Depression Cherry by Beach House, Compton by Dr. Dre, Summertime ’06 by Vince Staples, Vulnicura by Björk, Wildheart by Miguel, and Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett.

Five New Wave Songs About Money

[This is an article I originally wrote for CHIRP Radio]

Money. Cash. Moola. Dough. Cabbage. Lettuce. Cheddar. Scratch. You may love it. You may hate it. But there’s no getting around the fact that we all need some. And when you don’t have it, or you see someone getting way too much than they should, it makes great material for songs.

In the 1980s, the Western World’s views toward money (and who should get it, and how much) were changing, and artists were taking notice. Ronald Regan and Margaret Thatcher led the charge to reward life’s “winners” on Wall Street and in junk bond houses while slashing social programs and putting the screws to organized labor. Thus society started its Corporatist phase, sponsored by Ayn Rand and an undying belief that your bank balance is the ultimate gauge of your worth as a human being. Along the way, many people found themselves with less, while others found themselves with much, much, much more.

The disparity wasn’t lost on many of the musicians of the era, some of whom, in the aftermath of the Punk movement, were making use of electronic instruments to add to and compete with the prevailing guitar/bass/drum paradigm. In a decade where Lover Boy was Working for the Weekend and Madonna was declaring her status as a Material Girl, these artists had a different take on the Long Green:

“Money (That’s What I Want)” by The Flying Lizards (1979)

“Your love gives me such a thrill / But your love won't pay my bills.”

One of the first Synth-Pop hits to chart in the UK was the product of a music collective known more for their Avant Garde and experimental leanings. A song originally written by Barrett Strong in 1960 and covered by a lot of bands, including the Beatles, the Stones, The Doors, and Joe Cocker, it’s never been covered quite like this. Your enjoyment of this song may well hinge on how you feel about New Wave in general, as this song is nothing but New Wave. A quirky, pitch-perfect comment on materialism in the ultimate plastic age? Or cold, blippy, inhumane novelty track? You make the call…

"Bizarre Love Triangle" (New Order Vs. Frente!)

 [This is an article I originally wrote for CHIRP Radio.]

The Original: Quintessential New Order at the height of its ‘80s Electro Alternative Dance-Pop powers. With the thumping drum machines, the waves of synths, Peter Hook’s slinky bass, Bernard Sumner’s lyrics that combine melancholy and ecstasy at the same time. The track has been a dance club staple ever since it was first released in 1986.


The Cover: Take the sheet music from New Order’s version and remove everything except the chord progressions. Play the song on acoustic guitar with a single plucked melody line and arpeggiated chords, accompanied by a female vocalist.

“Promise” by Lauren Marsh

This track from Lauren Marsh has definite shades of Beach House and Cocteau Twins. The beat is big and the other instrumentation forms a wave of sound that Marsh’ voice cuts through with lots of energy. She sounds undefeated by life. This track is from an EP that won’t release until next year, but if the rest of it moves like this track, she’ll be one to watch for in 2016.

Best Albums of 2014

[This is an article I originally wrote for CHIRP Radio.]

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2014. Our next list is from DJ and Blog Manager Clarence Ewing. One of the reasons I like posting these end-of-year lists is it gives me the chance to read the choices of my fellow volunteers and discover a lot of great music I missed over the year. The hard part is finding the time and resources to listen to all this stuff. A nice problem to have, for sure. Now that Apple has decided to stop making iPods (one of the bigger and more symbolic stories in music news this year, IMO), will I soon have to worry about how I will carry around my entire music collection wherever I go, which I've decided is now my right? Walkman, it's time for a comeback!

#1Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light On Everything by Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra (Constellation) BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon An earthy, swirling, sprawling musical riot/celebration from a Montreal ensemble that merges skill, passion, and civic pride into something you can file under the best kind of Post-Rock. This was the record that helped me get through Chiberia I.

#2You're Dead! by Flying Lotus (Warp) BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon Flying Lotus takes us on a rapid-fire trip through a galaxy of digital beats heavily influenced by the sounds coming out of Chicago's Drill scene and soulfully mixed with Jazz and Rap. A notable achievement from a gifted musician. I highly recommend the video for the song "Never Catch Me," but I should also warn that you may want to have tissues nearby.

"Baker Street" (Gerry Rafferty Vs. Foo Fighters)

[This is an article I wrote for CHIRP Radio.]

Winding your way down on Baker Street
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Well, another crazy day
You'll drink the night away
And forget about everything
This city desert makes you feel so cold
It's got so many people, but it's got no soul
And it's taken you so long
To find out you were wrong
When you thought it held everything…

The Original: A beautifully constructed and polished mix of smooth-jazzy psychedelic Pop from the glory days of Mighty FM radio, punctuated by one of the most distinctive choruses in 20th century music, a saxophone riff that screams Urban Angst.

The Cover: Replace the sax (and everything else) with electric guitars cranked up to 11 and slamming percussion, arranged in the “loud-quiet-loud” pattern of the ‘90s Seattle Rock sound Dave Grohl helped make famous with Nirvana.


Living in the Big City is fun. There’s lots of things to do interesting people to see and meet. But anyone who’s lived in an urban setting long enough will eventually have at least one moment of existential crisis. Maybe it’s around 4:00AM on the way home from the bar after a long week of working too hard. Maybe it’s after a particularly bad breakup with someone you assumed would be around for a while. “What does it all mean?” the soul demands. “Why am I wasting my life in this damn place?”

"Part Time Love" by Pillar Point

A big, juicy slice of retro synth-drive alternative Dance. In a world of Dance music that seems increasingly divided between chastity and vulgarity, this track hits just the right tone of sly sexiness.

The Band: Pillar Point
The Album: Marble Mouth
The Label: Polyvinyl

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"4U PT. 2" by HOOPS | Haroon Mirza | ONO

This week’s GLI Press Song of the Week is “4U PT. 2” by HOOPS (aka Drew Auscherman), a musician who I think is from Indiana. The music feels a lot like the Makeout Videotape (Mac Demarco) EP Heatwave! in its combination of low-fi DIY production, strong melodic content, and enigmatic persona. Auscherman's music (on this trackm at least) is a bit more sunny-sweet, leaning toward psych-pop romanticism.

He’s made two mix tapes available for download on the Gorilla Vs. Bear site. Hopefully we’ll get to hear even more soon.


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Other Highlights:

Haroon Mirza demonstrates the locked groove turntable technique. It's a very interesting kind of musical construction. If you’re not careful, you’ll soon find yourself in an electro-trance.




CHIRP Radio in Chicago has produced a new Factory Session, this one featuring the legendary No-Wave band ONO, still making music and not compromising after more than 30 years. Avant-Garde grooves and beats combined with vivid and blunt in-your-face social-political lyrical artistry.

"Recreational Love" by The Bird and the Bee

The GLI Press Song of the Week roams the internet looking for the best in shared new music.

This week’s GLI Press Song of the Week is “Recreational Love” by The Bird and the Bee. This song, from an album of the same name released last year, is smooth and groovy with a solid RnB flavor. You can’t miss with Inara George on vocals. It’s the kind of song you could dance with someone with on a first date and be sexy but not worry about going too far.


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Other Highlights:

NTS captures Tokyo trio Nisennenmondai in session, laying down a funky avant-garde groove.




Alternative Dance-Pop gods Pet Shop Boys have a new album coming out this spring. They posted a sample to YouTube for the benefit of us all.

The Shoes (Ft. Dominic Lord) present a blistering rap that’s squarely pointed in Death Grips territory. Both the song and video are explosive, caustic and fantastic. Warning: The utterly inhumane system of mass meat production is on full display in the video.

The Shoes Ft. Dominic Lord - 1960's Horror from LABELGUM on Vimeo.

"Seasons Change" by Nadia Reed

This track in particular sounds like a Country-and-Westernized Mazzy Star, ghostly and rustic at the same time.

"Quiet Corners and Empty Spaces" by The Jayhawks

It’s always nice to hear some Country-Pop I can stand. This is a breezy romantic song that’ll be perfect for playing for your sweetie on a long Summer evening when you’re kicking back with a beer and watching the world go by, together.

"Fixations" by Gardens & Villa

How to describe this song by Gardens & Villa? How about, psychedelic Rock grooves spray painted with a special sheen that sands away all the rough edges? Good stuff.

"Carly (Retrosport13)" by Jensen Sportag

What we know: The band is from Nashville. They produced a bunch of tracks that they’re releasing on Soundcloud, a little bit every month. It is fantastically complex and energetic lounge music. They are on the Cascine label. I’ll be on the lookout for more.

"Mr. Mistake" by Nevermen

Here's a thumping piece of avant-garde-ish Pop music. It's not easily described by a category, which is just fine. I like the heavy low-end on this one. The band is on the Ipecac label.

"Track 2" (feat. Inga Copeland) from "The Narcissist II" by Dean Blunt

Dean Blunt turns '70s Soul into a hazy, slow-motion groovy meditation.