Everything past #4 is tied for #5; it would just depend upon what type of music I favored on a given day for a given mood: 01 Chris Arduser - Hapless 02 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig! Lazarus, Dig! 03 Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid 04 The Verve - Forth 05 Dropsonic - The Low Life 05 The 77s - Holy Ghost Building 05 Starflyer 59 - Dial M 05 ( Read more... )

ALTERNATIVE ROCK / INDIE

Starflyer 59, “Dial M,” (Tooth and Nail)

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“The saddest songs are wrote in minor keys.” So instructs reliable shoegazer Jason Martin during the plaintive “Minor Keys,” endeavoring to convince himself that tough times build character. The song’s layered guitars and melancholy mood imply longstanding devotion to the ( Read more... )

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I wrote a review of the Seventy Sevens' Holy Ghost Building CD for the Chicago Sun-Times, which ran today.

My editor had to cut some text for space considerations. Below, I have copied the text as submitted. The cut text which wasn't included in print [is included here in brackets]. I could have gone triple this length in describing the album ( Read more... )

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Hi, LJ Pals - Ping has performed at the Cornerstone Festival several times, but we're on the low end of the totem pole.  A survey has been posted for people to vote for acts they'd like to see there in 2009.  If you've got a moment to visit this link, I'd really appreciate a vote for "Jeff Elbel + Ping" (listed alphabetically under "J").

http://www. ( Read more... )

https://www.noisetrade.com/willowfair#

Willowfair is carving out their own niche; interesting, ambitious & full of heart. I mastered this set; it was challenging given the "indie/classical" nature of the music &  the acoustic scope of the strings. The genre tag will make sense once you've listened.  I'd say it's for fans of Iron & Wine, Over the ( Read more... )

( Here's a review I submitted to the Chicago Sun-Times tonight. It might run next Sunday. )

( Hear newly-released music from Ping and read Jeff's comments. )

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