Local capsule reviews: August 2011
Horrible Things - Demo 4Opening with a dialog sample from Fast Times at Ridgemont High and clocking in at under four minutes, Demo 4 gets the job done faster than Mike Damone in a pool house. Musically, Demo 4 demonstrates the group's knack for ultra-catchy pop-punk, especially on the second track, "A Friend Named Food", which melds unabashedly emo lyrics to a perfectly matched selection of riffs. With the recent addition of Bloomington's Vince Aguilar on guitar, Horrible Things seemed poised to break out this semester, perhaps with a full-length (hint hint).
Maltross / Rvins - split cassette
This split cassette takes local metal acts Maltross and Rvins into heretofore unheard of levels of heaviness, especially on the Maltross side, the six-minute sludge opera "She Came From the Sky". Rvins opt for a bit more subtle approach (tempo changes, whoa), but still retain the punishing volume and wall of sound. While this is unfortunately Maltross' last release, two of the band's members are forging ahead in a completely different direction as Bed Time. It's also an interesting collision of two local labels, Crippled Sound, who will release it on purple tapes (but only at the last Maltross show, which takes place next month in Peoria) and Error, who've got it on red.
Petunias - Day Times / Two Legs
I must admit, this didn't do much to pull me in at the start, but the insistently repetitive grooves that Petunias lock in to and jam on end up growing on you quite a bit, and the terrific production, heavily indebted to Downward is Heavenward (specifically "Apollo") boosts the music significantly. Also, look at that fucking cover art. Seriously. Motherfucking rabbits ejaculating sunshine.
Evil Tents - Emptiness is Loveliness EP
This EP from John Isberg (Firebird Band, the Blackouts) couldn't have arrived at a more opportune time. The hushed acoustics and whispered vocals are clearly reminiscent of fall, and the ultra-sparse arrangements are a welcome contrast to the recent trend of highly-produced, all spaces filled recordings coming out of Champaign-Urbana.
Comfort Food - DemoA geniune prog band operating in Champaign? What a welcome surprise. This brand new (they're yet to play a live show) bass and drum duo is musically reminiscent of a massively stoned Triple Whip with the tendency for weirdness and noise-freakouts. While I can't begin to fathom what titles like "Fancy Water" or "Faizan Holds a Bake Sale" mean, I've got zero complaints about the tunes.
4 comments
Justin Hedrick
who is in the band comfort food?
He has moved to Chicago, but he was recently local: Carl Hauck’s new album, Windjammer, is absolutely brilliant. Totally blew me away. Should be copies available at Exile in a couple of days.
Check a couple of tracks out here: http://www.myspace.com/carlhauck
john isberg
Wow, thanks guys for the mention! The evil tents ep is a free download, the full length w/ band is coming in the next few months. We’ll be at WEFT sessions Sept. 12th w/ pizza and beer if you want to come out. Anyways, thanks for the kind words! J
Anonymous
Comfort Food is:
Jake Marshall-Drums
Daniel Wolff- Bass and Vocals
They are playing Canopy Club on Monday, September 12. They are opening for Sunny Stubble. The show is free.
Most Recent Music Comments
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
Most Popular Music Articles (60 days)
- 2012 Pygmalion Music Festival initial lineup
- Elsinore, Common Loon impress diverse crowd
- Tonight in Urbana: Ursula K. LeGuin
- Cursive is so cool
- Look closer: Withershins' Silver Cities
- The Overture: April 3–9
- Record Store Day 2012 in review
- BEST Music
- A breath of fresh air
- Hathaways: growth and transformation
Most Recent Comments
Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
Facebook
Twitter
Full Site
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/