Record & CD
Collectors Show
The Midwest's Largest Record Show
released Addicted and Epicloud, only
with more expansive melodies. The guitars and keyboards have a prominent presence in the mix, which creates a massive,
brooding sound. The soaring vocals of
Anneke
van
Giersbergen
(ex-The
Gathering) are once again present, creating a dynamic range that insures she has
become a permanent fixture within
Townsend’s sound. Standout tracks
"Rejoice," "Warrior" and "Midnight Sun"
from Sky Blue contain huge melodies and
hellacious hooks, while the whole of Dark
Matters is epic and theatrical, sounding
like a cross between old Reader’s Theater
radio shows and an obscure Sci-Fi movie.
Although Z2 might not appeal to everyone, there’s just so much on offer here, but
it may take a couple of spins before it truly
sinks in.
– Kelley Simms
9
SUNDIALS
Kick E.P.
(Top Shelf)
The sonic equivalent of onomatopoeia,
Kick is snappy, jubilant pop-punk that
traces a direct lineage to ‘90s superstars
SUNDAY • NOV 20
SUNDAY • JAN. 18
8:45AM - 4PM
VINYL
& CD’s
LP'S •
45'S • 12"SINGLES
Plus, an expanded Metal selection.
BEST WESTERN
CHICAGO - HILLSIDE
4400 FRONTAGE ROAD
HILLSIDE, IL
I-290 Eisenhower Expy -Wolf/Mannheim Exit
Admission
$3.00
Dealers Tables $45.00
Early Bird Customers: $10.00
6.00am
Early Bird Time: 6:30am
For Information Call 630-898-1533 - Evenings or:
Visit www.chicagorecordcollectors.com
We’re on Facebook under Chicagoland Record & CD Collectors Show
40 illinoisentertainer.com january 2015
6
SPIDERS
Shake Electric
(Spinefarm)
Flying the retro-rock flag for
Millennials, Swedish female-fronted rockers Spiders is capturing a dedicated audience. On its sophomore release, Shake
Electric, the band successfully pulls off a
’60s and ’70s style of psychedelic and hard
rock. The 10 tracks feature the power-jam
bashing of drummer Ricard Harryson, the
walking baselines of Olle Griphammar,
Spiders
Superchunk and Archers Of Loaf. Clever
hooks and sunny melodies are happily
married to crunchy guitars and feedback
squeals; and if the lyrics of small-town
woes ("Dealin’") and bruised egos ("Kick"),
seem quaint, it simply makes the harmonic vocal interplay that much more infectious. For a genre not noted for grandeur,
Sundials reach soaring, glorious heights.
– Patrick Conlan
8
Rock • Alternative • Jazz • Soul
pocket symphony called "Love in the
City." The genius of this set is also what
makes it so fun. It’s easy enough to gather
these singles and more on CD collections
like 2010’s Save the Turtles: The Turtles
Greatest Hits. With a total time of 38 minutes, every track included here would easily have fit on a single vinyl LP. Having
each one on its own side of vinyl encourages maximum interactivity. With an average running time per song under two and
a half minutes, this isn’t a set you’re going
to play in the garage while changing your
oil. This set is tailor made for immersion.
Fire up 1967’s number one single "Happy
Together" and sing along while watching
the platter spin.
– Jeff Elbel
THE TURTLES
45 RPM Vinyl
Singles Collection
(FloEd Co/Manifesto)
This package was assembled by keepers of the Turtles’ flame (and co-founders)
Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, otherwise known as Flo and Eddie. Spanning
eight 7" records, these 16 songs provide an
overview of hits and fan favorites, beginning with 1965’s cover of Bob Dylan’s "It
Ain’t Me, Babe" and continuing beyond
the band’s self-penned 1968 single
"Elenore." And gee, you’ll think even the
near-misses are pretty swell. B-sides
including Warren Zevon’s "Outside
Chance" show why the Turtles audience
meshed with those of the Byrds, Beatles,
Monkees, Lovin’ Spoonful and Moody
Blues in the late ‘60s. Kinks frontman Ray
Davies wrote another less-recognized
the warm, fuzzy wah-wah tones of guitarist John Hoyles and the howling, Janis
Joplin-esque vocals of Ann-Sofie Hoyles.
At 33 minutes in duration, it’s the perfect
rock album, especially in LP format.
Spiders have a knack for implementing
softer transitions, usually following a
heavy riff, by using various instruments
(harmonica, piano, cow bell, hand claps).
Even a timpani roll can be heard on the
title track. Even though there’s not a weak
track in the bunch, "Mad Dog," "Hard
Times," "Bleeding Heart," and "Lonely
Nights" stand out the most. The