Music @ WGBK 88.5 FM

Feed Me with Skream and Benga 3/31/12

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:06:14 -0500

As I headed down to the Congress Theater on that chilly March night, I couldn’t understand why more people were excited for Skream and Benga than the show-stopping Feed Me. His new light show looked incredible from what pictures I saw of other shows and his set at Ultra Music festival last year was my favorite. When Skream and Benga came on, I realized they were here and ready to go. But I’m going to break this show down by who I saw first.

Jackmaster- Never really heard much about this guy before the show started. His set was phenomenal. He kept the crowd going by playing some material that made you just want to dance. Sometimes, I could not help myself and I just let my body move. Never seen a crowd go crazy that much when 12th Planet was dropped midway through the set.

Plastician- Yet another DJ I did not hear much about until he supposedly put on one of the best shows of the weekend at Coachella in 2010 when he was known as Plasticman. He got the crowd pumped and ready for Skream and Benga. The bass during his time just kept on vibrating throughout my entire body. It got me going and by the end, I was ready for Skream and Benga.

Skream and Benga- The best electronic show I have seen. I watched their set at Ultra to see what it was like before I went to the show, oh my. They definitely know how to bump some music. I don’t think I have seen that many people go as crazy for a headliner as they did there. It was also pretty cool to see one of the first dubstep artists perform. Started a genre that definitely changed our music society today. Great show though, best of the night.

Feed Me- TEETH. Cool stage setup. Very skeptical of it at first. Hoping it wouldn’t just turn into flashing lights like Rusko’s. When it was brought out, I was in awe by it. Still can’t get myself over it. Fit in perfectly with his music. His set overall was great. Played some of my favorites and ones that made people go nuts. The one part I thought was cool about the show was the pace he took throughout it. He started off with very slow, chill electronic similar to stuff like Strobe by deadmau5. After about 30 minutes into the set, he sped it up and turned the Congress into a rave for the rest of the night. Such a great show.

Also, to clear up any rumors, Congress Theater was kidding when they said deadmau5 arrived. It was a great April Fool’s joke.

The Pond Dwellers present: The Jazz Hour

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:01:41 -0500

Lady Bird- Chet Baker

So What- Miles Davis

Layla- Eric Clapton

Let’s get it on- Maceo Parker

Moanin’ Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers

The Cave- Mumford and Sons

Rauher 3/3/2012

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:35:02 -0600

Under the Bridge- RHCP

Wheel in the Sky- Journey

Ocean Floor- The Bunny The Bear

When the Levee Breaks- Led Zeppelin

Go to the Mirror- The Who

Weekend- Smith Westerns

The Distance- Cake

Steak Sauce Sesh 2-18

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:10:00 -0600

Simple Song - The Shins

The Dazzled - Crystal Stilts

You Can Have It All - Yo La Tengo

Seventeen Years - Ratatat

King of the Beach - Wavves

2 More Dead - RDJ2

Thinking of a Dream I Had - Walkmen

Be Strong - The 2 Bears

Miranda - Surfer Blood

300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues - The White Stripes

Mr. Grieves - Pixies

Rock and Talk Dj S Mainz

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:01:49 -0600

Changes- Tupac Shakur

Beat Box- Matisyahu

Helena Beat- Foster the People

All Along the Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix

I Remember- Roots

The Adventures of RainDance Maggie- RHCP

Ginger Hour

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:58:09 -0600

You and I- Ingrid Michaelson

Rill Rill-Sleigh Bells

Hang On Dr.Dog

She’s got you high-Mumma-ra

The Park-Bon Iver

Strawberry Soda-Samuel Ventura

White Winter Hymnal-Fleet Foxes

Seven Nation Army-The White Strips

Young Folks_Peter Bjorn and John

Earl Sweatshirt is Back

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:37:38 -0600

Earl Sweatshirt is Back:

Good news for Odd Future fans. Apparently Earl Sweatshirt is back from wherever he was, (reportedly a youth camp in Samoa) and is back to making music. This is lifted from a Feb. 9 post on Pitchfork:

Earlier today, a Twitter account and Tumblr surfaced, both seemingly associated with Earl Sweatshirt. In addition to a video seemingly featuring Earl himself and teasing new music, the Twitter account included the following Tweet: “nigga need followers. give me 50,000 and i’ll release this shit for everybody.” When he hit 50k, he Tweeted a link to Terttlefer.com, “The Official Earl Sweatshirt Website”, which has a new song streaming from Earl, “Home”.

Click on the title of this post to visit Terttlefer.com and listen to the track “Home”.

Machine Head Concert Review 1/22

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:16:38 -0600

First off, lemme say that I’ve already seen Machine Head once before, so their greatness is not new to me. Their support of Metallica initially got me into their music, with their then new album (The Blackening 2007). Fast forward three years, and they release the masterpiece Unto the Locust and begin The Eighth Plague Tour…

After the opening band, people became impatient and the chant to summon Machine Head took no effort to start. ”Machine F***ing Head” rang throughout the venue and they satisfied the hungry crowd with I Am Hell (Sonata in C#). Robb Flynn’s roar of “I am death” shook the place. The air was thick with both the energy of the fans and the band members themselves. It was like an atom bomb went off; the pit exploded as soon as they started playing.

When they finished, the crowd still called for them, after every single song. I’ve never seen that before at a concert, and it was honestly a great feeling being a part of it. Their setlist was a good mix of songs from all albums, including Be Still and Know, Imperium, Aesthetics of Hate, Bulldozer, and of course, Davidian.

Song after song, the crowd got wilder and wilder. Robb knew exactly how to work the crowd. Phil Demmel’s solos ripped through the mix, melting a fair amount of faces. Singing along was encouraged, and when I heard Aesthetics, I got goosebumps hearing the entire House of Blues chanting, “May the hand of God strike them down”.

The song before the encore was Who We Are, a tribute to their devoted fans, ending with a photo slideshow of fan messages about the band. This time the crowd’s chant was a desperate call for more. At last, they came out with the ten minute opus Halo and finished the show with the classic Davidian, making the crowd more crazed and frenzied than ever.

This is definitely one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve attended at the House of Blues. Machine Head delivered the best show they possibly could have and the crowd responded in kind. Keep it up guys! 4.5/5 Stars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JS8ktlrsSQ&feature=related

-Daanish R.

Daanish's Top Ten of 2011

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:51:00 -0600

10. Protest the Hero - Scurrilious

This being their 3rd album, I was a little disappointed that first two tracks were my only favorites. However, I was still impressed with the rest of the tracks. The choruses were catchy as they should be and the vocals were absolutely perfect, not too much screaming and not too many pretty sounding verses. Protest the Hero retains their unique blend of prog and metalcore on this album and I’m happy with that.

Recommended Track: C’est la Vie

9. Mastodon - The Hunter

While I am a huge fan of Mastodon, I was a little skeptical of this CD, seeing as how Crack the Skye was so epic. But they never let down and The Hunter was on repeat on my iPod for a while. Although it isn’t a concept album like all their others (to my disappointment), it still displays Mastodon’s signature sound and musical genius. This CD isn’t quite as heavy as the others, but it still keeps the high energy Mastodon is known for.

Recommended Track: Black Tongue

8. Opeth - Heritage

Boy was I surprised at how amazing this album was without Mikael’s growls. Though not as heavy as their other releases, Heritage is a dark and enchanted journey that will please prog fans and metal heads alike. Mikael’s singing is absolutely beautiful and the music itself is like 70’s era Yes. Opeth also includes pianos, organs, flutes, and many other instruments to broaden their sound. Disappointed as I am with the lack of heaviness, I’m still very happy at how this came out.

Recommended Track: Famine

7. Machine Head - Unto the Locust

This is the perfect metal album. Just straight up metal. The one word to describe this album is ferocious. The guitar work is absolutely vicious. They do include some interludes to soothe your ears, only to come back faster and heavier than ever. Rob’s singing is perfect, it matches the fast paced, high energy dynamic of the rest of the band. I would venture to say that if you’re not banging your head to this, something’s wrong with you.

Recommended Track: Be Still and Know

6. Vildhjarta - Masstaden

This was honestly not in my original top ten. I only found out about them a week ago. I’m glad I did though, because this album is absolutely dirty. It’s got an enchanting and haunting vibe about it. It’s a very dark concept album about a haunted town. Vildhjarta’s 3 guitarists display some amazing rhythms, enchanting clean parts, and also throw in some abrasiveness to make it that much heavier. This is their first full length release and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Recommended Track: All These Feelings

5. Chimaira - The Age of Hell

With the departure of drummer, bassist, and keyboardist, most expected Chimaira to fall flat on it’s face. But alas, they came back as heavy as ever. This was a nice combination of their fast and pounding old style and the last album’s breakdown-esque style. This CD will get your blood pumping and make you wanna move. Hopefully, after the departure of both guitarists as well, Chimaira can get back up and keep going.

Recommended Track: Year of the Snake

4. The Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual

The Black Dahlia Murder is the perfect blend of American death metal and European melodic death. The vocal delivery is top notch, mixing low growls with high pitched shrieks. The blastbeats and choruses will get you moving no matter what. They also introduce string arrangements which is a nice touch, adding to the macabre feel. Ritual builds on their old sound in all the right ways. This is a must have for the year.

Recommended Track: A Shrine To Madness

3. Between the Buried and Me - The Parallax (Hypersleep Dialogues)

I was overjoyed when I first heard this was a two part EP. That means we got more of this amazing band. When I got the CD, it rekindled my love for prog. The Parallax is a two part conceptual suite about two human characters separated by light years. While it only has 3 songs, it lasts over half an hour. Each song spans a plethora of moods and emotions. Everything in this is top notch. It can’t get better than this (until part 2 comes out).

Recommended Track: Specular Reflection

2. The Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction

Wow. That’s all I have to say after listening to this album. Its got it ALL. Singers like Joe Duplantier, Mikael Akerfelt, Tommy Rogers, and many more are included. He’s also got an orchestra and a choir, as well as farting noises. What’s not to love? This album is a roller coaster and it will leave you begging for more. Townsend’s “wall of sound” production technique is utilized very well here and your eardrums will be glad you listened.

Recommended Track: Juular

1. TesseracT - One

I could listen to this album and never get sick of it. It’s got everything I could ever ask for in a record. It’s heavy at parts, yet moving and beautiful. It’s technical yet not flashy. It’s also like the above album, it’s layered with multiple vocal tracks and ambiance. The best part is that it’s got substance to it. The singing is what tops it off here; Daniel Tompkins’ vocals just soar above the music. I can truly use the word epic in context here. This is one of the few records that I think will be in my all time favorites of this generation.

Recommended Track: Concealing Fate Part 2 Deception

Camp

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:27:00 -0600

“Ok it’s Childish Gambino homegirl bring it down like the NASDAQ.” These words from the beginning of his song Bonfire sum up the theme of his new album, Camp. Camp is Gambino’s first studio album after he signed to Glassnote Records. This signing came after his first EP and his hit single “Freaks and Geeks.” In this album, he continues on with pop culture metaphors and immature similes. Gotta love it.

Then there are some different parts of this album that show Gambino’s true talent. The chorus of the songs Firefly and All The Shine caught my attention the most. His previous material just had him free styling throughout the song. It sounded like he experimented with the chorus-in-rap style and he pulled it off well.

Two details that were highly noticeable off the album were the R&B and Rap mixing in. Disregarding Bonfire and Backpackers, the songs off the album were very soft and enjoyable to listen to. The melody was very noticeable along with the lyrics in the songs. He mentions about certain problems he had earlier in his life such as women, family, money, and school. He still maintained to intertwine the pop culture references while talking about these problems. “I keep it wrapped until I meet the right one. Cause I ain’t Mumford, I ain’t trying to have sons.”

Gambino seems like he is trying to take on a different approach on his rap style. While listening through, his slow songs resembled the serious stuff Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator did. These guys both share that ability to the phrase “There is a time and a place for everything” but with music. B.o.B was another artist Gambino was very similar to. This was very noticeable with his voice I pointed out earlier about the chorus.

Overall, Childish Gambino was very successful with this album. He tried to some new stuff, stuck with some of his old and he simply nailed it. This album deserves 4 out of 5 stars. It would be perfect but I still think he needs to touch up with his ability in creating slow songs.

-Mike Fish

Devin who?

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:29:15 -0500

Imagine a bald dude with glasses wearing a smoking jacket and dancing on stage with a seven string guitar. Yup. That sums this guy up.

Devin Townsend is one of the best musicians from our generation whose music spans from extreme metal to acoustic to ambient electric. Though he is most known for his metal, he still incorporates a plethora of elements into this music. He even wrote a rock-opera about a coffee hunting alien (Ziltoid the Omniscient)- in three weeks. Devin started out in Strapping Young Lad but then split off because of the typical reasons (drugs, alcohol, etc.) The result was a multitude of solo albums under his name, The Devin Townsend Band, and The Devin Townsend Project, all of which include different musicians. He just finished a four part album series with The Devin Townsend Project, which includes Ki, Addicted, and now Deconstruction and Ghost.

-Daanish Rizwan

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiLcAD4XzdA)

Up and Coming for 2011-2012

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:28:55 -0500

This year, the music department of WGBK will be bringing you reviews about albums and popular concerts around Glenbrook South. Stay tuned!

Mike Fish (Music Director)

Lollapalooza Preview Friday, August 5

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:26:26 -0500

With Lollapalooza just 3 days away, WGBK has you covered with our Lollapalooza preview giving you the best acts of the weekend. Here’s a list of my most anticipated acts of each day.

Day 1

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals- The only jam band of the weekend brings huge vocals and crazy guitar solos by lead singer Grace Potter. A must see early act and being host of the Suburban Jam, you’ll see me here.

Two Door Cinema Club- TDCC are definitely in my top 5 acts I am most looking forward to this weekend. The Irish trio bring to the table heavy guitar with a poppy vibe that you’ll regret not seeing.

Skrillex- Deadmau5’s prodigy will start the new and improved Perry’s Stage with a bang and some heavy dub step.

Crystal Castles- The Canadian electronic duo will bring the dance party to the South end of Grant Park.

Headliner selection: All (Muse, Girl Talk, Ratatat, Coldplay)- All 4 headliners please me and are worthy of a small taste by myself. Muse brings the heavy guitars and prog to the South stage. Girl Talk’s mashups will please all that attend at Perry’s. Ratatat’s electronic core with hard guitar solos will make fans glad they stayed. And the North end of Grant Park will be filled with a huge sing along to Coldplay.

Personally I think Friday has the best non headliners. With all the great bands playing early on, and no particular headliner I’m excited about, I’m going to save my energy during those headliners so I can dance all night at the Skrillex and Pretty Lights aftershow.

Your Lolla expert,

Brad Lanphere, Station Manager

"Hold on to your butts"- Samuel Jackson. Surviving the mayhem that is All Shall Perish

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:37:00 -0500

When it comes to metal, adding a “core” to the end of the genre makes the mosh pit that much more intense. All Shall Perish delivers that ferocity in their music with punishingly heavy riffs, 7-string shredding, and ear piercing screams from vocalist Hernan Hermida. All Shall Perish is an unusual blend of genres, combining metalcore, death metal, and a bit of progressive, all this thanks to guitarists Ben Orum and Francesco Artusato. I’m sure the drummer, Adam Pierce, probably gets a hefty work out every time he takes the seat.

California seems to have the perfect conditions when it comes to forming legendary metal bands (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth), and All Shall Perish continues that tradition. Kirk Hammet of Metallica placed their most recent effort, Awaken the Dreamers, in his Top 100 favorite albums and with good reason. The unique thing about these guys is that they don’t follow the “core” routine (i.e. blast beats, break-downs, comically low growls, 7-strings). The extended range of the 7 string is fully taken advantage of and the vocals are a good mix of highs, mids, and low. Plus, some clean passages are thrown in there as well. All Shall Perish will be appearing at Mayhem Fest this summer and are releasing their new album This Is Where It Ends in July. Until then, enjoy this! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns4EA4OJt18)

-Daanish Rizwan

Don't pick up a seashell, you can listen to The Ocean here!

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 01:15:00 -0500

The Ocean Collective is a progressive metal band from Germany. They only have one remaining founding member, guitarist Robin Straps. They’ve had around 40 musicians in the band since 2000. So you could say their sound has changed quite a bit. I use the term progressive loosely because their sound is a blend of so much that it would be too hard to categorize. The Ocean is more than just a metal band, they incorporate piano, cello, violin, and saxophone into their music. The music itself can be on the technical side sometimes, but nothing too fancy because the music always has a flow to it. With the addition of the new vocalist, Loic Rossetti, The Ocean released Heliocentric and Anthropcentric in 2010. The interesting thing about these albums is that they are connected, so listening to them together is highly advised. Also, the lyrics critique Christianity, but not in the usual sense of a metal band (hail satan etc.), they are more intellectual and logical. The songs The Origin of Species and The Origin of God are really worth a listen. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG3RRfhzF28)

-Daanish Rizwan

6 strings? How about 8? All about Animals As Leaders

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:18:00 -0500

Animals As Leaders is an all instrumental progressive metal band, formed in 2009. It consists of Tosin Abasi on lead guitar, Javier Reyes on rhythm, and Navene Koperweis on drums. Animals As Leaders have a much different approach to the 8 string guitar. While many “core” bands try being trendy by using the extended range guitar, Tosin really utilizes the full range of the guitar. It almost has a sci-fi feel to it because of the wide range of frequencies that reach the listener’s ear. The tempos are typically fast, making the listener wonder how he covers a range of 8 strings with 4 fingers, but they are not fast enough to be flashy or overwhelming. Another interesting fact about the band is that they blend the jazz sound seamlessly into their progressive style. It’s really worth a listen if you’re a musician or you’re just looking for something different. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL2uoeza8tI)

-Daanish Rizwan

Stepdad’s EP, “ordinaire”

Tue, 24 May 2011 22:43:00 -0500

Stepdad’s EP, “ordinaire”

Giving "Stepdad" a listen for father's day.

Tue, 24 May 2011 22:42:00 -0500

You know, it happens from time to time that even those of us who have been determined to prove a point by thumbing our noses at “new” music must recognize that there is a lot of good music out there if we are willing to look. Case-in-point is “Stepdad,” a three-piece electronica-pop band that is sure to please everyone from hipsters to the dyed-in-the-wool retro-mod-rock 80’s-loving kids who have worn out innumerable turntable styli listening to the Cure’s “Disintegration” while swallowing spoonfuls of Sonic Youth and the Pixies.

As with just about anything interesting nowadays, Stepdad self-released their first EP, “ordinaire,” through Bandcamp.com. The EP has garnered some praise drawing the attention of independent music sites. The group has also been helped in no small part by a growing popularity on the college frat party circuit. According to their website, the band is currently working on their first LP, “Wildlife Pop.”

Originally from Chicago, the group now resides in Michigan, of all places. Is this the start of the “Michigan sound?” I dunno, but you only need to watch the low-budg’ video for the single “My Leather, My Fur, My Nails,” to know that this is going to be something interesting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H91bEGJYBU4).