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 .