MINISTRY AmeriKKKant
( Nuclear Blast)
Industrial metal progenitors Ministry return with their 14th studio album, AmeriKKKant, their first in five years. On the nine politically-charged tracks, vocalist Al Jourgensen rages furiously against President Trump. Warning: current POTUS fans won’ t like AmeriKKKant. Opener“ I Know Words,” a sampled parody of Trump soundbites laboriously drags along, while follow-up“ Twilight Zone,” an eight-minute affair that intrigues at first but over-extends its welcome, too. The front-end of the album feels like pieced-together samples instead of actual songs, as if Jourgensen was more focused with the lyrical message rather than the overall musical aspect. It’ s not until track five— the blistering thrasher,“ We ' re Tired of It”— does the proceedings truly get going. This track, as well as its followup,“ Wargasm”— which both feature Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell— are absolute ragers, inhabiting a bit of a Fear Factory melodic-industrial vibe. First single“ Antifa” explores the anti-fascist movement with Jourgensen’ s to-the-point lyrics, dominating riffs, and militaristic programmed drum cadences. The # NeverTrump theme concludes with“ Game Over” and the title track. AmeriKKKant isn’ t as maniacal as Jourgensen’ s 2016 side project Surgical Meth Machine’ s self-titled debut, and it’ s certainly nowhere near Ministry’ s early synthpop era. Unfortunately, it’ s not nearly as good as their last few albums either. However, a new Uncle Al release is always something hardcore fans will get excited about. Appearing 4 / 7 at Riviera Theatre, Chicago
– Kelley Simms
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24 illinoisentertainer. com march 2018
THE WEDDING PRESENT George Best 30
( Scopitones)
The original George Best was released in the Fall of 1987, not long after the Smiths had called it quits, leaving a wake of disappointed fans looking for an indie pop band that offered Morrissey-esque lyrics marinated in unrequited love, wit and northern English humor.
Enter David Gedge of the Wedding Present who fit the bill but traded up on Johnny Marr ' s jingle jangle for super fast punk rock guitars layered over Peter Solowaka head-splitting Gibson SG. Though not as an accomplished( or dramatic) vocalist as Moz, Gedge ' s baritone varied between a Johnny Ray croon and punchy warble that was barely heard over the guitar heavy mix. George Best transformed an era where louder guitars replaced jangle and twee of the late ' 80s. The English press, thirsty for a new indie band to latch onto, was eager to heap praise on the debut album, which was powered by boy / girl anthems " Give My Love To Kevin," " Shatner," and " Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft." After three decades " Anyone Can Make a Mistake " is still refreshing with it ' s punky hooks and harmonies, yolked with buzzsaw guitars that wail like Scottish bagpipes.
George Best 30 is a once-aborted version of the original GB, re-recorded with Steve Albini in 2007 with a completely new band, only Gedge remained. With the three decade anniversary of the groundbreaking album being supported by a GB birthday tour, the band decided to release a the " new " version of the album. The results could have been dreadful, because you can ' t recreate an album that was near perfect in the first place.
Surprisingly, GB 30 ' s arrangements are mostly true to the original, although modern recording techniques( in 2007) don ' t necessarily improve the dynamics of a punk record recorded in the 80s. Albini ' s staid production and Gedge ' s respect for the original arrangements are left intact. Only Gedge ' s more mature vocals are notably and sometimes annoyingly different, which lack the urgency of a punk singer in his ' 20s. The innocence of youth and hunger for success isn ' t there two decades later, though it ' s not as much of a distraction as one might expect.
Appearing 3 / 26 Lincoln Hall, Chicago
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– John Vernon
BILLY IDOL Billy Idol Rebel Yell The Best of Billy Idol
( Chrysalis / Capitol UMe)
These three high-quality vinyl reissues of vital Idol will take you back to the‘ 80s faster than a DeLorean with a flux capacitor. 1983’ s Rebel Yell alone is emblematic of the decade’ s alternative rock, with major hits in the howling title cut,“ Eyes Without a Face,” and the brooding and lusty“ Flesh for Fantasy.” Well-known supporting singles including“ Blue Highway,”“ Catch My Fall” and“( Do Not) Stand in the Shadows” remain a testament to the potent partnership between Idol’ s sneering baritone and his future-casting guitarist Steve Stevens.
Idol’ s self-titled, full-length debut from 1982 boasted Top 40 singles as well, including the slashing“ White Wedding( Part 1)” and rowdy“ Hot in the City.”
The double-disc reissue of 2008’ s The Best of Billy Idol collects the prime cuts from the two platinum-selling albums, along with debut EP tracks including the partystarting Tommy James and the Shondells cover“ Mony Mony” and Idol’ s former Generation X bandmates on“ Dancing with Myself.” Later singles include soul singer William Bell’ s“ To Be a Lover,”“ Sweet Sixteen” and“ Don’ t Need a Gun” are featured from 1986’ s Whiplash Smile. 1990’ s Charmed Life is represented by # 2 single“ Cradle of Love” and a cover of the Doors’“ L. A. Woman.” Non-album bonus tracks“ John Wayne” and“ New Future Weapon” conclude the exhilarating trip through time.
- Jeff Elbel
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CHUCK BERRY The Great Twenty-Eight Super Deluxe Box Set
( Geffen / UMe)
Originally released by Chicago’ s Chess Records in 1982, the double-album set of rock and roll godfather Chuck Berry’ s greatest hits has sold steadily for decades, but this special vinyl box is loaded with additional treasures. Two vinyl platters hold the staples like“ Johnny B. Goode,”
“ Maybellene,”“ Memphis,”“ School Day( Ring! Ring! Goes the Bell),”“ Carol,”“ No Particular Place to Go” and other hits and B-sides. Athird LP called More Great Chuck Berry lives up to its name with additional essentials including“ You Never Can Tell” and the live single version of“ My Ding-a- Ling.” Released for the first time on vinyl, Oh Yeah! Chuck Berry Live in Detroit finds Berry rambling through a loose set at Detroit’ s Walled Lake Casino in October 1963. Berry shakes off the rust from his“ time away” in jail and wisecracks with a hot crowd that sings along full-tilt to favorites like“ Let it Rock” and“ Too Much Monkey Business.” Also new to vinyl is the EP Berry Christmas, collecting four holiday perennials led by“ Run Rudolph Run” and“ Merry Christmas Baby.” A 36-page, album-sized book features photos, liner notes, discography, a forward by acolyte Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, and a new essay by respected rock scribe Alan Light. All collected it’ s a great tribute to a monumental innovator and the late poet laureate of rock and roll.
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– Jeff Elbel
( Scopitones)
GREG BOERNER Solid Sender
( Self)
On his 5th album, Greg Boerner continues his slow-but-steady proof of talent ready to eclipse“ local hero” status. Solid Sender has ample depth and an undercurrent to pull you in. Songs including the moody blues of“ Restless Sleep” and trainshuffling“ All the Tea in China” find the songwriter casting about the corners of his soul with a flickering torch, confronting any shadows found there and allowing fresh light into the scene. Compared to 2011’ s Prophetstown and prior work, Boerner’ s sonic palette has evolved into something that is still sparse and focused, but also richer. There’ s a whiff of the intimate, roots-pop Wildflowers Tom Petty-vibe coupled with Storytellers-era Clapton with Chet Atkins fingerpicking. The sly blues of“ Price You Pay” and country duet“ Don’ t Do This to Me” are elevated by the alternately saucy and sublime sound of Mary Lou O’ Brien’ s vocal accompaniment. The appropriately ebullient“ Allman Joy” gets electric with a tribute in the vein of the Brothers’“ Jessica.”“ Sick and Die” is a soulful Gospel-blues version of the Muddy Waters gem.“ Rollin’ and Tumblin’” is a sweet study of unexpected love and overflowing gratitude, tailor-made for those who find themselves too tongue-tied to express themselves to the objects of their affection. It’ s easy. Just learn to play guitar and sing as well as Greg Boerner before Mr. or Ms. Right finds someone else. Appearing: 5 / 31 at Kiss The Sky, Batavia
– Jeff Elbel ered 8 lyrics marinated in unrequited love, wit and northern English humor.