Album review: Elsinore's The Chemicals
As a relative newcomer to Champaign, the sheer number of people packed into the Highdive last Saturday for Elsinore was thrilling. To have so many come out to a local band's EP release speaks volumes about the community of music lovers in this town and their willingness to support their own.
That alone is something both Elsinore and Champaign-Urbana's "stayers" should be proud of. But is that where it ends? Is Elsinore simply the neighborhood band everyone comes to see play, or are they worthy of greater praise?
| The Overture: Feb. 8 – 14
With school, work, family and nursing a mean post-Super Bowl hangover, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors at Smile Politely have taken care of it.
WHAT: Nomo, Zach May and the Maps
WHEN: Thursday, February 11 @ 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Canopy Club ($8 Adv.)
It's a little bit of world music for your Thursday night, as "Michicago"'s Nomo joins forces with locals Zach May and the Maps for a polyrhythmic experience.
THIS WEEK'S TOP TEN Midlake The Courage Of Others (Bella Union) Yellow Fever S-T (Wild World) Pierced Arrows Descending Shadows (Vice) Kevin Barker You & Me (Gnomonsong) Night Control Life Control (Kill Shaman) MV & EE Home Comfort (Woodsist) Beach House Teen Dream (Sub Pop) Retribution Gospel Choir 2 (Sub Pop) Iron Bong The Witchwoods (Lost) Surfer Blood Astro Coast (Kanine Records)
Eels, End Times Wunderkind Mark "E" Edwards has released six albums as Eels. E's often-autobiographical songs are heartbreaking — he lost his father, mother, and sister in a relatively short time span — but he usually adorns them with experimental, beautiful sounds (see 1998's Electro-Shock Blues). End Times is still lovely, but the instrumentation is sparse, which makes the songs even moodier. There are a few uptempo tunes: the funky garage of "Gone Man" and "Unhinged." E's voice has grown …
On Friday, Feb. 5, Jet W. Lee joins the slew of local artists who have had recent album releases with the (second) release party for their debut LP Who Shall Remain Shameless. With the band citing dual "citizenship" between Chicago and Champaign, the Mike ‘n' Molly's celebration will be the official C-U release for the ten-track album. The show starts at 10 p.m., and cover is $5. Joined by Chicago's The Safes and C-U locals JigGsaw, Who Shall Remain Shameless …
With school, work, family and conspiring to manipulate the C-U music scene for your personal gain, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors at Smile Politely have taken care of it. WHAT: Gov't Mule, Jackie Greene WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 4 @ 9 p.m. WHERE: Canopy Club ($25 Adv.) Another week, and another example of a veteran jam band that doesn't suck rolls into C-U. Last …
Let's be honest: this isn't a gigantic music scene. It's kind of a big deal when one band releases an album, and releases from two bands are sometimes enough to tide us over for a calendar year, or, at worst, a season. So, this weekend is truly an embarrassment of riches for Champaign-Urbana, as Elsinore unveils their new EP, The Chemicals, and World's First Flying Machine debuts their, uh, debut album, The House You're Living In, both on Saturday night. …
This Saturday, Champaign-Urbana's World's First Flying Machine will celebrate the release of their debut album, The House You're Living In, at the Canopy Club. For a mere $5 (or $7 at the door), you can catch Flotation Walls, a self described "angel orgy" from Columbus, Ohio at 10 p.m., followed at 10:40 p.m. by World's First Flying Machine's premiere of their new release. The House You're Living In comes to our ears at the perfect time — blame the side-swiping …
Incoming: We've been talkin' up the new Retribution Gospel Choir for a couple weeks now, lo-and-behold it's finally arrived. Highly recommended rock & roll from Low dude Alan Sparhawk's loud band, which won't be mistaken for Low or even the last RGC album really. Bonus: they're playing February 18th at Canopy with New Ruins and by all accounts RGC slays live. But that ain't all, this being a pretty killer week for new stuff... Look for albums from Magnetic Fields, …
My first night at the Courtyard Café last fall was simultaneously rewarding and discouraging. I dropped by to catch Pepi Ginsberg, The Generationals, and The Spinto Band; I missed the first act, fell in love with the second, and enjoyed the third every bit as much as I had expected. The problem? While the rest of the crowd seemed to enjoy themselves as well, there were a meager twenty or so of us taking advantage of the affordable show. The …
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Its cool Annie, I know deep down you don’t give a shit, but yer being gracious. Check out the new Clipd Beaks, or Brian Jonestown Massacre, or Black Ryder from Australia. Yer right though, Chemicals is one song that acually says nothing. Usually, music that doesn’t really…
Jared played this on WEFT Sessions in September 2008, and in a year mistechtrophic songs I think this was my favorite of the year—this simple version of “I_Refute_Technology.mp3“ with acoustic guitar, electric bass, and two voices, it’s a good song. Musician, cover thyself!
Don’t forget about the Zmick show at Canopy Club w/ special guests Mathien. Urbana jams with some Chicago soul. You won’t wanna miss it!
if you’re heading to the Copyrights show, get there early. Facebook rvsp list is already well over the Herring’s capacity…
This thread has become somewhat played out, but I wanted to thank Joel for his comments. No concerns on the general quality/quantity of local music coverage in this zine - I simply didn’t want an uninformed reader to get the wrong impression on just how vibrant a…
Joel brings up a fantastic point in that most of the bands you’ll find bitching about not getting covered are the ones who never, EVER, bother to put in any effort when it comes to promo. There is a chip on the shoulders of so many local…
Knowing the percussionist for this collaboration personally I am a bit biased and I fully agree with the review. I’m lovin’ this record and I have the new album on it’s way as we speak.
Thanks for this great review, Annie!
In all honesty, we try to cover shows that we’re excited about, as Annie said, but we also try to give bands coverage who ask for it. In this case, Elsinore and WFFM both told us about their CD release shows well in advance, sent us downloads…
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It’s been a while since we’ve seen you. I wanted to let you know that our “Hunters’ Feast” will be starting February 19th. In addition to our full dinner menu, we will offer wild boar schnitzel, roasted rabbit legs, vennison tenderloin & a variety of wild game…
Well, reader, I’m not quite sure what to say. Sounds like you and Elsinore have some issues to work out amongst yourselves. I’m just going to sit back and let that happen.
Its cool Annie, I know deep down you don’t give a shit, but yer being gracious. Check out the new Clipd Beaks, or Brian Jonestown Massacre, or Black Ryder from Australia. Yer right though, Chemicals is one song that acually says nothing. Usually, music that doesn’t really…
Who played?
I triuly enjoy being employed at the new Fat City!!!
I made these this weekend, albeit without the Pickling Spice. They are fucking tremendous. Wish I had local cukes, but alas they looked good and crispy at the store the other day. Here is more: they were ready within 12 hours. Now, I suspect they will…
No Iowa coverage?
For anyone interested in this stuff, there is aniInteresting show on tonight, Mon, Feb 8, on WILL TV, Blueprint America. about infrastructure, comparing Spanish gains in rail to American decline, with Detroit as, as usual, the basket case.
To the poster above - Your a Dead Soul. (giggle, giggle) No, really, think about it.
Jared played this on WEFT Sessions in September 2008, and in a year mistechtrophic songs I think this was my favorite of the year—this simple version of “I_Refute_Technology.mp3“ with acoustic guitar, electric bass, and two voices, it’s a good song. Musician, cover thyself!
Great job Suzanne. I really like how you sum up how George is a man stuck in his past and unwilling to explore his future. Thanks for your concise, thoughtful writing.
I’m proud to see you young girls getting out there! Wow - that takes motivation and courage. Glad to see you’re getting some press too.
Like Jason, I’ve been told by people who would know that HoG and Tang Dynasty are the most authentic Chinese food restaurants in town. One woman described HoG as “home cooking.“ Its tofu Pad Thai is perfection. Jason is also spot on that Mandarin Wok is…
Almost every issue this amendment attempts to address is merely a symptom of a much bigger, and unsurprisingly, much more difficult to solve problem: Voter apathy. You want to force term limits because voters generally don’t care enough to throw out bums who come off as…
After seeing the documentary “Food Inc.“ I may never eat meat that’s not local again, and am seriously considering the vegan option. Check it out.
I wouldn’t be too quick to discount this place simply based on its location or plastic eating utensils. I’ve been told that this place is one of the more authentic Chinese restaurants in town by a couple of different people who would know. That’s not to say…
It’s mediocre—not bad, but pretty much standard campus fare. “Plastic fork cuisine” is pretty apt. I have no experience searching for food from a vegan perspective, but for omnivores (or even vegetarians), I’d say there are at least five better Chinese and Thai places around town, maybe more.
First the Detroit Freep links. Keep term limits: http://www.freep.com/article/20100204/OPINION05/2040400/1068/OPINION/Keep-limits-Longer-time-in-office-wont-fix-state Repeal term limits: http://www.freep.com/article/20100204/OPINION05/2040403/1068/OPINION/Repeal-limits-Experience-is-not-an-evil-thing Second. I don’t have a real strong opinion on term limits, but generally think they do more harm than good. However, I have no proof of that. But, my experience, from working in government…
When I was an undergrad, I too occasionally had enough money for a cheap greasy spoon (chopstick) meal. On those occasions, I felt mildly celebratory about not boiling or microwaving my own dinner. It looks like this meal came in Styrofoam, with a plastic fork. There are…
As a relatively recent convert, I very much look forward to dining at this restaurant, and to the rest of your series! An excellent, marvelous idea…thank you!
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Well, reader, I’m not quite sure what to say. Sounds like you and Elsinore have some issues to work out amongst yourselves. I’m just going to sit back and let that happen.