list.in.to.chicago this week: 09.17.2012

There's an argument to be made that Lollapalooza and its radius clause creates the sort of schedule congestion we're seeing right now, but bands have always preferred Chicago in the spring and the fall, so I don't think it's that new of a phenomenon. In any event, the number of great shows over the next week or two is absolutely staggering. I'm in a stretch of something like ten shows in fourteen days, and could probably have done more.

Pick of the week
If I had to limit it to one show with tickets still remaining, probably Silversun Pickups on Friday at the Aragon. But, seriously, just go see something this week. You almost can't miss.

list.in.to.COZ
This is a week for seeing music, not playing music. Although I might be at Vaughan's late on Tuesday.

Recap
If the hallmark of 90s-era alternative rock was "loud-quiet-loud," then Bob Mould never got that memo. Thursday's Metro set drove headlong through Sugar's Copper Blue record with little more than a breath between tracks, except maybe a brief exhale before a slightly slower version of "The Slip" kicked into gear. Then it was new and old material that all carried the same ringing distortion that builds and builds in your ears until it's gone. It was a punishing set, but I mean that in a good way. Relentless.

Then there was Riot Fest over the weekend. As long as I live, I do not think I will ever see something quite like the spectacle of GWAR in full daylight. Totally surreal, and cartoonish enough to not be nightmare-inducing. Other than that, Frank Turner and Minus the Bear are now very much on my radar, and Sunday featured standout sets from Fishbone, Jesus and Mary Chain and Elvis Costello, who seemed to take the punk rock aesthetic of the festival to heart when putting together his set list.

9.17   monday
Maximo Park with Neighborhood, Stagnant Pools (Schubas)
Any other week, I would probably go see this British post-punk band, but given the number of shows I'm already committed to, I'm going to have to skip it. I may not be the only one, as the show was downgraded from Lincoln Hall to Schubas.

Devin Townsend Project with Katatonia, Paradise Lost (Bottom Lounge)
You may know Townsend as the former frontman of metal outfit Strapping Young Lad who went on to sing lead vocals on Steve Vai's Sex & Religion record, but to be honest, you probably don't.

9.18   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
Planning on at least a cameo appearance this week, but you should stop by regardless.

David Byrne and St. Vincent (Chicago Theatre)
I'm starting to think Annie Clark may be getting sick of seeing me in her audiences, although to be fair, I did skip one of her three St. Vincent appearances in Chicago in the last twelve months. And you may have heard of this David Byrne guy that she just released a record with. Actually, this will be my first time seeing the former Talking Head.

Local H with Ambassadors (Bottom Lounge)
After a summer where he played quite a bit with his Married Men band, Scott Lucas returns to what made him a household name in local music households. I do believe Local H has a new record out, too.

Cloud Nothings with Chomp (Lincoln Hall)
I don't actually know much about this indie rock band from Cleveland, but that will change by tomorrow, as I'm going to see them do a small gig for WBEZ tonight.

9.19   wednesday
Wombats with Morning Parade, Royal Concept (Park West)
One or two listens to the Liverpool band's new record has me thinking they're trying to go "legit" after some noisier, punkier efforts. It's a lot more polished, which may or may not be at odds with their identity up until now. In the States, this may not matter, as they're still under most people's radar.

GZA with Killer Mike, Sweet Valley, Bear Hands (Metro)
Strong hip-hop bill up in Wrigleyville, in that I've actually heard of half of the acts.

Madonna (United Center)
Looks like everyone is getting their big arena tours in before the NBA and, maybe, the NHL seasons get started. Rush, Madonna, Prince and Peter Gabriel all over the course of two weeks that could have been in the mid-80s.

Cloud Nothings with Chomp (Lincoln Hall)
See Tuesday's listing.

9.20   thursday
Rodriguez with Plush (Lincoln Hall)
This is the band at the heart of the new documentary Searching for Sugar Man, which delves into Sixto Rodriguez's uncanny, enduring legacy all the way in South Africa after just two releases in the early 70s. The success of the film has spawned an actual tour.

Matthew Sweet with Mastersons, Summer Twins (City Winery)
I don't know if Sweet's power-pop is really conducive to a seated audience, but it's hard to figure out the vibe of City Winery in the first place, so who knows. Another show I'd totally go to if I wasn't already booked.

Lumineers with Comettes (Riviera Theatre)
The latest in the current folk-rock revolution, which pre-dates Mumford & Sons, even if they are the most public face of the movement right now. This may have been moved from Logan Square Auditorium.

Madonna (United Center)
See Wednesday's listing.

9.21   friday
Silversun Pickups with School of Seven Bells, Atlas Genius (Aragon Ballroom)
Lots of shoegazer and Smashing Pumpkins influence from this band, who I was hoping would play Lollapalooza when their new record was released back in the spring. Since they've got one of my favorite new bands opening for them on this tour, I'm inclined to let that slide.

Bloc Party with Ceremony (Riviera Theatre)
The U.K. band's latest album is a lot heavier than I expected, and that's a good thing in my book. For a while, there were rumors that they were finished, but fortunately that turned out not to be the case.

Alt-J with JBM (Empty Bottle)
They've recently been nominated for this year's prestigious Mercury Prize in the U.K., and I want to say I've read that they might be one of the favorites to win.

The Weeknd (Congress Theater)
This artist apparently started off by releasing "mixtapes," and I still don't know what that means, exactly. My guess would be that it's other people's music, which makes him a DJ, but then I read something that doesn't fit that description. So, what, just a new name for an EP? I don't get it.

Matthew Sweet with Mastersons, Summer Twins (City Winery)
See Thursday's listing.

9.22   saturday
Patterson Hood with Downtown Rumblers, Hope for Agoldensummer (City Winery)
Solo performances by the singer and guitarist of Drive-By Truckers.

Sloan (Subterranean)
Canadian power-pop in a small room.

Deerhoof with Buke & Gase (Schubas)
An early and a late show from whichever of the "deer" bands this is.

9.23   sunday
Bobby Womack with Helado Negro, El Circo Cheapo Cabaret (Riverfront Theater)
This show is part of a two-day event called "Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements," located on Chicago Avenue near the river. Not sure if it's indoors or outdoors, but it does include a performance from Bobby Womack, who can recently be heard on the last Gorillaz album and on a new solo record produced by fellow Gorillaz member Damon Albarn.