Illinois Entertainer December 2025

gathers experiences and perspectives from a divergent path as a father and university professor to inspire fellow travelers in a world different from the one reflected in the veteran band. Emerging from introspection and revealing considerable musical evolution, BEHOLD is Taylor ' s fullest musical expression of his personality. The aural palette of BEHOLD balances power and sensitivity, contrasting darkness with light. Orchestral passages ring with power and swoon with emotion. Guitars crackle with feral energy. Keyboards whisper quiet truths and speak with authority. With the dramatic and exotic " In a Dark Room," Taylor wonders what it ' s like " to be erased from the memory of this world." With no guarantees of a future, the song concludes that the best anyone can do is to offer love and support in the present. Eric Campuzano ' s( The Prayer Chain, The

to the vivid lyric with fills that suggest the image of Muhammad Ali fighting his demons. Taylor ' s updated textures recall Gary Numan ' s evolved sound, recognizable but as distant from early Undercover fare as Numan ' s contemporary goth-rock is from the icy New Wave pop of " Cars." The vulnerable " From Dust and Clay " is a father ' s backward glance, wistfully wondering how he could have better served his most beloved. " What could I have done?" Taylor repeats. The theme extends outward as the song cycle resolves with " May It Be So." The song identifies the risks posed to children by the world they are being handed. Taylor sings of the " rivers of our sins " such as climate change, violence, and poverty, concluding that these could be solved if only humanity ' s priorities were properly aligned. The title is therefore not an indicator of resignation, but a call to action.

A person can become their best self. The world can become a better place. May it be so, declares Taylor via BEHOLD.( www. bandcamp. com / ojotaylor)

– Jeff Elbel

Expires 12 / 31 / 2025

Lassie Foundation) undulating bass is reminiscent of the Verve, set beneath a modal arrangement that draws from a similar well as Led Zeppelin ' s " Kashmir." The intimate " Deep In " is a statement of self-confidence. The song expresses a steady center and pure motives. It also includes conflict and contradiction. " I’ m ready to give up, but I’ m not ready to go," sings Taylor. Greg Lawless '( Adam Again) guitar careens with unexpected and chaotic squall. The song ' s outro balances Taylor ' s understated piano with an elegant and mournful string trio. " Behold Nothing " is thematically linked, underscoring the importance of perseverance toward the goal of " to make things right, to make things whole." Jeff Schroeder ' s( Smashing Pumpkins, The Lassie Foundation) playing unfolds with rich sonics and technique. " I Will Meet You There " and " Interlude II " are a pair of meditative and cinematic instrumentals. Though wordless, Taylor claims influences from flesh-and-blood relationships as well as Bartok, Leonard Cohen, and the Sufi poet Rumi. Ken Johnston ' s evocative keyboards add vibrant color to Taylor ' s Appalachian folkinfluenced guitar during " Interlude II." Undercover bandmate Gym Nicholson joins the fray with stirring lead guitar on " The Altars." Taylor contemplates acts of sacrifice, with an emotional chorus that describes leaving himself " pierced " and " seared." Aaron Smith ' s( The Temptations, Romeo Void, the 77s) drumming responds

STICK FIGURE Free Flow Sessions( Ruffwood Records)

Stick Figure’ s latest release is a dub-style reggae album showcasing pristine production of multi-instrumental riddims. The 12 tracks clock in at just 33 minutes, and only a few feature founder and frontman Scott Woodruff’ s smooth-rapping vocal style – a key component of the band’ s overall laidback vibe and burgeoning fanbase. Sleigh bells set the backbeat on“ Walking In My Shoes” with Woodruff repeating“ You don’ t know how it feels / to be walking in my shoes” before a rapid-fire verse delivery and soulful guitar solo.“ Welcome to My World” also drops in snippets of Woodruff’ s vocals, making it another album highlight. Other tracks without vocals, although groovy, sound more like reggae muzak than Stick Fig’ s spectacular seven-album back catalog. For instance,“ Rude Boy Riddim,”“ Forever,” and“ Sticky Situation,” featuring a bright horn section, never get beyond a reggae-light feel.“ Dub Style Blues” also layers horns over the grooves, but would best be used as the opening track played over the PA before the curtain rises on the band’ s set. The most satisfying track is“ This Is What We Came Here For.” With its slinky rhythm and full versechorus-verse composition, it sounds like a song that could appear on any past non-dubstyle albums and would play great live.

– Jason Scales

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LAVA LAMPS

Expires 12 / 31 / 2025

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Illinois Entertainer December 2025 | Page 17

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