© 2025
Expires 11 / 30 / 2025
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LAVA LAMPS
16 illinoisentertainer. com november 2025
© 2025 Expires 11 / 30 / 2025
© 2025 Expires 11 / 30 / 2025 © 2025 Expires 11 / 30 / 2025
© 2025 Expires 11 / 30 / 2025
© 2025
NOVEMBER 28
Expires 11 / 30 / 2025 lection explores old-time country(" Savannah Is A Devilish Girl "), jazz(" Ol ' Folks," the Waits-inflected cold-truthtelling " Your Tormentors "), and powerpop(" Now Now Now Now Now "). Fulks ' lively characters spout blunt wisdom. " Why do I make my fingers bleed to keep
some jackass richer than me?" says one of many. Fulks ' character in the campy and rollicking folk of " Poor and Sharp Witted " may occupy a lower position in the social hierarchy, but he claims pride where he ' s earned it and turns the tables when he can. " Nothin’ in the world quite gets you fired up like gettin’ outta where you’ re from," he sings. Fulks ' studied sense of storytelling makes Waltz " The Thirty-Year Marriage " a relatable portrait of the risks, treasures, and rhythm of life. The tender " My Heart, Your Hands " follows suit. The deftly fingerpicked and reflective " Workin ' No More Blues " is a droll portrait of someone tired of being written off. Surely, it ' s not all autobiographical? Well, maybe a little...( compassrecords. com)
– Jeff Elbel
8 ROGER WATERS This is Not a Drill Blu-ray( Columbia / Legacy)
There’ s no sugarcoating the fact that Pink Floyd mastermind Roger Waters has made himself into one of popular music’ s most polarizing figures. He has used his status and platform to speak in support of Palestine and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions( BDS) movement against Israel, drawing frequent ire from Israel’ s supporters. The outspoken artist has long insisted, however, that his fundamental values are not anti-Israeli but are rooted in the concept of human rights for all. Unafraid of a verbal scrap, Waters hasn’ t always come across as a peacemaker. In the interest of inclusivity, therefore, the cover of the This is Not a Drill tour film comes with a carefully worded label. It promises“ a powerful night standing up for love.” Another line adds“ mourning injustice and demanding human rights.” Some may disagree with Waters’ alignments, but he deserves ample credit for committing to infusing his art with meaning when he could rake in millions by simply playing his Pink Floyd standards. This is Not a Drill is available in audio-only formats, including vinyl LP and CD. Barring
the ability to join the concert experience in person, the full impact of Waters’ intent and theatricality can only be experienced with the visual component included here. Physical props, dazzling lights, and graphics projected onto a monolithic, horizontal cross-shaped screen support the narrative built into the framework of Waters’ set list. The Blu-ray format supports stereo, surround, and Atmos sound. The concert, captured on May 25, 2023, at the O2 Arena in Prague, starts with yet another warning. As showtime nears, Waters’ recorded voice booms through the hall accompanied by a projected text message that reads,“ If you’ re one of those‘ I love Pink Floyd, but I can’ t stand Roger’ s politics’ people, you might do well to fuck off to the bar right now.”“ Comfortably Numb” begins the program in a hauntingly retooled, atmospheric arrangement that differs from the gloomy guitar-based majesty heard on The Wall. The song builds in quiet intensity until Shanay Johnson unfurls mournful vocals over an extended coda. The effect is reminiscent of the Dark Side of the Moon centerpiece,“ The Great Gig in the Sky.”“ The Happiest Days of Our Lives” and“ Another Brick in the Wall Part 2” from The Wall follow, as screens flash wry messages“ us good” and“ them evil.” Dave Kilminster confidently offers his take on Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’ s searing blues-based solo.“ The Powers that Be” is drawn from the
1987 album Radio K. A. O. S., accompanied onscreen by names of the victims of authoritarian violence and the so-called crimes that cost them their lives. Later in the show, Waters pauses to read from the prior day’ s Jerusalem Post article that criticized the juxtaposition of the names of Holocaust victim Anne Frank and Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Waters stands by the choice.