Dan Soder visited the Englert last week. Through him, KRUI’s Bodhi and Bailey examine what makes a comedian special, or at least what makes one affably stupid.
Bjork’s latest “Cornucopia: Live” album is a near spiritual experience with her haunting vocals and eclectic melodies capturing the essence of the original songs, magnifying their impact.
Good. Better. Best. The Chicago Bears hung on once again to defeat the Minnesota Vikings, taking sole possession of first place in the NFC North.
It happened again. Another extremely close loss for Iowa, this time to USC, that left fans slamming TV remotes and flipping couch cushions. Again.
I had the chance to talk with 2-time Grammy Award winner Molly Tuttle ahead of her performance at The Englert on November 16th.
I spoke with Derek Sanders, frontman of Mayday Parade after their gig at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee, Iowa. A conversation spanning much more than the 20 years of the band, he told me about his latest trilogy release and all the way back to his very first autograph he signed.
Wavves released “TV Luv Song” yesterday exclusively on Spin. Included is this eloquent note to his listeners: “FREE FREE FREE. FROM ME 2 U XO WAVVES.” Check it out on SPIN.com.
By Max Johnson Hailing from Ames, Iowa comes the powerful horn-folk dance band – Mumford’s. Mumford’s appeal is a very specific one, a fact that is as clear in their first full-length “Eyes” as it is in their incredible live show. The band’s songs emerge from a place of high contrast. The characters that inhabit the songs live their lives in black and white, completely devoid of all grey areas. Borders exist in the songs, lines are drawn in the sand, but they are sharp and definite and nobody will ever understand why and how they can both exist side … Continued
By Pat Quinn The People’s Key is Conor Oberst’s search for the meaning of life. The album as a whole touches on scientific and theological arguments to answer the question many artists before him have tried to answer. While the subject matter of the album isn’t that unique, the blend of stringed and synthetic sounds Oberst orchestrates on this album is. The album begins with a slightly insane man rambling about space, time, aliens and the existence of humanity. Like the rambling man, the beginning of the album is a little spacey featuring more staccato percussion and a stronger lyrical … Continued
By Terry Quinn Deerhoof’s latest release finds a happy medium between the reverb-flecked, art rock leanings they have built much of their sound around and the nuanced, ADD-informed pop structures of their 2007 release, Friend Opportunity. On Deerhoof vs. Evil this balance allows a collection of songs that can stand strong on their own attributes to fuse together into a seamless experience upon a full listen. This can be immediately recognized in the transition from the playful opening track, “Qui Dorm, Només Somia” to its progression building follow up, “Behold a Marvel in the Darkness.” The two flow into each … Continued
Photos from KRUI’s exclusive in-studio with The Hold Steady on November 17th, 2010. (Photos by Christy Aumer.)
By Emily Levins Dye It Blonde is the sophomore effort from the Chicago-based group of twenty-somethings, Smith Westerns. The album is a wonderful mix of youth, rebellion, and love, all set to a backdrop of fuzzy and dreamy instrumentals. The songs have a certain drunken haze to them, seen especially with album opener, “Weekend.” This ten-song collection is the perfect blend of carefree and catchy, a fun and exciting soundtrack to the glory days of adolescence. Smith Westerns – Weekend
By Trent Harrison Mogwai’s trademark humor is apparent throughout their newest release, Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. As if the title wasn’t proof enough, sections of the album deviate greatly from their previous sound, using upbeat synthesizers, vocoded vocals, and simple rock compositions. Regardless, every track incorporates a wide range of dynamics, sonically beautiful atmospheres, and meticulous attention to detail. Complete with an infectious, repetitive melody and fuzzy, doom-drone guitars, “Rano Pano” is by far one of the standout tracks on the album. The album’s brooding, 8-minute closer, “You’re Lionel Richie,” uses soft dynamics to create an enormous … Continued
By Kendall McCabe Tim Kasher might be best known as the front man of Cursive, the band that safely guided many of us through our teenage angst. A product of the iconic Omaha, Nebraska music scene, Tim also played in the bands The Good Life, Slowdown Virginia, and Commander Venus. He has contributed to musical projects with the likes of Conor Oberst (of Bright Eyes), Todd Fink and Matt Bowen (of The Faint), Joe Knapp (of Son, Ambulance), and many others in the revolving cast of characters that makes up Saddle Creek Records. Today, Tim’s hair is just starting to … Continued
March 3rd – Cotton Jones @ Blue Moose Tap House March 6th – Menomena @ The Mill March 17th – Bitch @ The Mill March 18th – Cory Chisel @ The Mill March 28th – British Sea Power @ Blue Moose Tap House March 29th – Colour Revolt, Caroline Smith & The Goodnight Sleeps @ The Mill March 30th – Nathaniel Rateliff, Christopher The Conquered @ The Mill March 30th – Or, The Whale @ Yacht Club March 30th – Jeff Tweedy @ The Englert March 31st – Das Racist @ Yacht Club March 31st – An Evening With Thurston … Continued
S. Carey joined us in Public Space ONE for the latest installment of KRUI Underground.
