16 illinoisentertainer . com may 2024
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primitive blues rock , they seemed more interested in expanding into new worlds of psychedelic soul and woozy AM radio rock sounds . Now in their third decade , singer / guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer / band spokesman Pat Carney have coalesced into a real band with an original sound . With their 11th full-length album , cheekily titled Ohio Players ( a nod to the legendary Buckeye state-based funk band of the ' 70s ), they have decided to bust open the books and let a committee of forward-thinking musicians try their hand at molding the final product . Beck Hansen lends his experience at crafting white boy funk to half of the album , at times echoing his late 90s heyday . Where Noel Gallagher doesn ’ t seem like an ideal counterpart to the minimal blues rock of the Black Keys , his three collaborations are excellent . His way with a slide guitar lead and a massive singalong melody fortifies the anthem “ Only Love Matters “. Producer Dan The Automator , who had a string of groundbreaking underground hip hop records in the late 90s / early 00s , helps by bringing his toolbox of obscure samples and nasty breaks to the fold on first single “ Beautiful People ( Stay High )” which should be a radio staple for months to come . A few tracks find the guys jumping headfirst into legit hip hop on “ Paper Crown ” and “ Candy And Her Friends ,” completely disregarding the rap / rock sounds of the nu-metal era for a more natural grassroots collaboration . This is the most diverse set of songs the band has ever released , and instead of having a dizzying effect , the results are surprisingly dialed in . It is reminiscent of a different era where alternative rock bands weren ’ t afraid to break through genre walls and that ’ s what makes Ohio Players such a triumph .
– Andy Derer
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THE OUTFIT Go
( Pavement Entertainment )
On its third full-length album , Go , local rockers , The Outfit continues its infectious blend of catchy hooks , memorable melodies , and a hybrid of Cheap Trick meets Foo Fighters influences . Chicago veteran sound engineer Matt Mercado returns for this release , as does Grammynominated , multi-platinum producer and mixer Ulrich Wild ( Pantera , Static-X , White Zombie , Deftones ), giving the album its pristine clarity with just enough grit to pleasing results . Kicking things off with “ Monster ,” the band — featuring brothers Mark ( drums ) and Matt Nawara ( guitar ), Mike Gorman ( bass ), and Andy Mitchell ( vocals / guitar )— tear into the track with careful nods to their aforementioned influences . Decorated with a melodious KISS-esque chugging ’ 80s riff , magical vocal harmonies , and a hummable chorus , the opening track possesses all the characteristics this band has become known for . Tracks “ Arrival Of Jane ,” with its slower tempo , and “ Big Eyes ” ( not a Cheap Trick cover ), show a familiar flair for soaring ’ 80s /’ 90s rock . “ Go ,” “ Fire Eye ,” “ Mountain ,” and “ You Say ” complete the originals of this nine-track , 31- minute album . Displaying their affection for Cheap Trick , the band successfully tackles a rousing cover of “ Elo Kiddies .” Although The Outfit ’ s rendition of the Sex Pistols ’ s “ God Save The Queen ” is decent enough , do we really need another cover version of this track ? Besides , I would ’ ve rather have heard another original song instead . With the exception of this minor complaint , Go captures The Outfit ’ s musical maturity the band has continuously displayed over the past several years .
– Kelley Simms
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NAT KING COLE Live at the Blue Note Chicago ( Iconic Artists Group )
Shining a light onto one of the indisputably greatest of the 20th-century jazz crooners , this 2xLP set released for Record Store Day features a previously unreleased recording drawn from Nat King Cole ’ s residency at Chicago ’ s Blue Note Cafe in 1953 . The set captures 80 minutes drawn from five dates recorded during a week of blistering summer heat following August 28 , 1953 , presented as a tightly paced concert . Cole offers standards , including George and Ira Gershwin ’ s “ Our Love is Here to Stay ,” and delivers standout performances of his most popular fare . The set includes emotive versions of the romantic ballad “ Unforgettable ,” the swinging “ Paper Moon ,” and the rollicking “ Route 66 .” The crowd thrills to the first notes of “ Mona Lisa ” before falling into rapt attention . Cole explores the phrasing of “ Too Young ” while accompanied by John Collins ’ fluid jazz guitar phrasing . The biggest hit of 1948 , “ Nature Boy ” is another arresting duet between Cole ’ s voice and Collins ’ guitar . Collins steps out alongside drummer Lee Young ’ s brushed shuffle for the uptempo “ Especially Like You .” Charlie Harris ’ s double bass is a grounding presence
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