I really enjoyed the Craig Finn show last night. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one. I had listened to some of Craig’s new solo stuff online but I was only familiar with a handful of songs. Although the performance wasn’t as loud as a Hold Steady show, it was still captivating. Craig had a backing band for most songs but he also played a few songs by himself. Some of the songs were kind of depressing but others were fun and energetic. You could tell that Craig and his band were having a good time. I also appreciated that Craig provided an explanation for most of the songs that he played. It was different from a Hold Steady show but I honestly enjoyed it more than the last time I saw THS. I don’t know if he’ll play any more solo shows in Chicago, but last night was definitely a treat.
January was kind of a slow start but there are quite a few good shows going down in February.
February 7, 2012 – Craig Finn @ Empty Bottle
February 10, 2012 – Other Lives @ Lincoln Hall
February 16 & 17, 2012 – Sharon Van Etten @ Lincoln Hall
February 18, 2012 – The Jealous Sound, Into It. Over It @ Subterranean
February 25, 2012 – The Promise Ring @ Metro
February 7, 2012 – Craig Finn @ Empty Bottle
I believe this is Craig Finn’s first solo show in Chicago. He just released his debut solo album to some mixed reviews. I really like what I’ve heard from his solo album. I think it’ll be interesting to see how the music comes across live. I know this isn’t going to be as loud as a Hold Steady show but Empty Bottle is a little more intimate than the venues THS usually plays so I think it’ll balance out.
February 10, 2012 – Other Lives @ Lincoln Hall Other Lives are hitting up Chicago on a headlining tour before they go on tour with Radiohead. I haven’t seen them play in almost 3 years. They are kind of a quiet, laid back band but I think that works well in a venue like Lincoln Hall. I still haven’t bought tickets to this one but I think it could be a good one.
February 16 & 17, 2012 – Sharon Van Etten @ Lincoln Hall I’ve been meaning to see Ms. Van Etten for a while. She’s playing two shows at Lincoln Hall on a Thursday and a Friday. She just released a new album that has gotten favorable reviews so try to see her if you can.
February 18, 2012 – The Jealous Sound, Into It. Over it @ Subterranean
I’m a pretty big fan of the Jealous Sound. I haven’t seen them since they opened for Sunny Day Real Estate back in 2010. I just heard about this show so now I have to start convincing people to go. Into It. Over It is opening, I’m not too familiar with their music but my friends seem to like them.
February 25, 2012 – The Promise Ring @ Metro
I’ve been really excited about this one ever since it was announced. I love the Promise Ring but I’ve only seen them once and that was back in 1998. I’m trying not to get my expectations too high but I think this will be one of the better shows of the year.
The new Sharon Van Etten album, Tramp, is streaming over at NPR.
I finally listened to this new Cloud Nothings album, Attack On Memory. I’m really digging it. I think I might see them live this spring; they play Schubas on April 6, 2012. Here’s the song “Wasted Days”:
Not too shocking, but Jack White is coming out with a solo album. Read about it over at AV Club.
NOBLEEX 