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Faltskog reflects on ABBA, releases new solo album May 18, 2013 12:00 AM
For most of the last three decades, ABBA was but a memory for Agnetha Faltskog. She made concerted efforts to leave behind her past as one of two principal singers of the best-selling 1970s Swedish quartet, best known for its power-pop classic "Dancing Queen." "There was several years after I had stopped with the group that I couldn't listen to the music," Faltskog said. But Faltskog is back. This week she's released a new solo album called "A." It is the 63-year-old's first album since 2004's "My Colouring Book," which, at the time, she assumed would be her last release.
New Deerhunter written during ‘very dark’ timeMay 18, 2013 12:00 AM
Bradford Cox wrote what would become the final track of Deerhunter's forthcoming album, a song called "Punk," at a friend's house in New York during what he describes as a very difficult time. He'd gone north to get away from personal turmoil in his hometown of Atlanta, taking few items other than a borrowed leather jacket. Before work could start on the album, the band faced more difficulty — the departure of its longtime bassist Josh Fauver — which made Cox fear the band would break up. It did not, but Cox still wound up playing a melodic bass line on "Punk" during recording sessions earlier this year. "I played a lot of stuff on that song, but that's only because the demo is so confusing because I was drunk when I made it," he said during an interview at his house in Atlanta. "I was in character for that song."
Acts jumping in for Suburban Chicago’s Got Talent May 17, 2013 12:00 AM
More than 30 acts have signed up for the second edition of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent presented by the Daily Herald, produced by the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and sponsored by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce. And there's still plenty of time to test your talents as well.
Trace Adkins looks for spark on new albumMay 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Trace Adkins works with five different producers on his 11th album, suggesting the country music veteran and reality TV star is searching for an infusion of fresh energy. And "Love Will ..." does find Adkins occasionally trying out new sounds. There's the soul-country vibe of "So What If I Do," which features a saxophone to play up the pop-crossover possibilities. And there's a duet with pop singer Colbie Caillat on "Watch The World End," a strange love song set during the apocalypse.
3rd time’s a charm: Glover wins ‘American Idol’ May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Candice Glover was crowned the new “American Idol” on Thursday after defeating country singer Kree Harrison. The booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist from St. Helena Island, S.C., looked stunned when “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced she bested the soulful 22-year-old country singer Harrison from Woodville, Texas. “Three times,” exclaimed a weepy Glover, referencing the trio of times it took before she made it to the finals of the Fox singing competition.
With 5th album, rockers Phoenix continue to riseMay 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Phoenix frontman and singer Thomas Mars says their new album “Bankrupt!” was born out of the negative influences going on in the band after the unprecedented success of their Grammy-winning 2009 album, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” “At that time, we started talking about success and not music,” Mars said. “I guess it was time to protect ourselves and focus on music again.”
Boy band One Direction: World tour next year May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Hit boy band One Direction has announced plans for an ambitious world tour in 2014. Plans call for the youthful chart-toppers to play major stadiums in Latin America, Britain and Ireland during the first leg of the mega-tour that begins in April. U.S. dates are expected to be announced later.
Ralph Covert show to air on WTTW May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
This weekend, WTTW Channel 11 will debut the pilot episodes of "Time Machine Guitar" by children's musician Ralph Covert, of Glen Ellyn. The show targets preschool-aged children and their parents and features Covert and three puppet friends who travel through time thanks to his magic time machine guitar.
Talib Kweli delivers on 5th solo albumMay 15, 2013 12:00 AM
Throughout his career, whether in his early collaborative work with fellow Brooklynite Mos Def in Black Star or with the Cincinnati producer-rapper Hi-Tek, Talib Kweli consistently combined his conscious approach to writing with a verbal dexterity marked by a dazzling rapid-fire delivery.
Vampire Weekend turns down tempo on 3rd CDMay 15, 2013 12:00 AM
After releasing two bouncy albums of reggae-flavored pop laced with African rhythms, Vampire Weekend turns down the tempo and ups the indie-rock vibe on its third effort. "Modern Vampires of the City," which the band characterizes as the culmination of a trilogy, puts singer-songwriters Ezra Koenig and Rostam Batmanglij's guitars and harmonies front and center.
Pistol Annies believe it’s time to ‘Annie Up’ May 15, 2013 12:00 AM
When the women in Pistol Annies get together, song ideas just fall out. "Somebody can just say something, we write it in our phone and it becomes a song," Miranda Lambert said. "Like the other day I said, 'My mom's wine store would probably do way better in our Baptist town if it had a back door.' So now we've got 'Back-door Bar.' As simple as it can be."
Stewart rediscovers songwriting after 20-year breakMay 15, 2013 12:00 AM
After 20 years of writers' block and eight cover albums, Rod Stewart rediscovered his songwriting voice while reviewing his life for his 2012 autobiography, "Rod." That self-reflection, combined with personal contentment, resulted in his new album "Time," a deeply personal collection of songs: stories about his father, his early life, his eight children, his two divorces.
Music notes: Hear blues master Montoya at Montrose Room May 15, 2013 12:00 AM
The music of the past comes alive in the suburbs this weekend, with performances by blues guiltarist Coco Montoya at the Montrose Room in Rosemont and swing revivalists Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall in Naperville.
Schaumburg High choirs perform May 23 to benefit food pantry May 15, 2013 12:00 AM
These musicians will sing for food. The Schaumburg High School Music Department presents the Senior Choral Recognition Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23 in the Weimer Auditorium. Admission is one nonperishable food item for the Schaumburg Township Pantry.
George Strait still cruisin’ in the studioMay 14, 2013 12:00 AM
George Strait is amid a two-year tour before retiring from the road, but new album "Love Is Everything" proves he still has plenty of great new country music in him. As usual, he proves he can stay contemporary, nicely handling the modern romantic ballad "I Believe," with its orchestrations and organ accents, and the tricky melody of "Give It All We Got Tonight," his current hit.
She & Him win again with ‘Volume 3’May 14, 2013 12:00 AM
Is there any limit to Zooey Deschanel's creativity? With her comical hit show, "New Girl," it's hard to work out when she would have the time to write music. And the new album "Volume 3" from her duo, She & Him, with singer-songwriter M. Ward, definitely doesn't sound like an album that's been made on the side.
Rapper Drake leads BET Awards with 12 nominations May 14, 2013 12:00 AM
He started from the bottom, but now he's on top at the BET Awards: Drake has 12 nominations. BET announced the nominees Tuesday. Rappers Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz are up for eight awards each.
Franklin cancels show in Chicago for medical issueMay 14, 2013 12:00 AM
‘Idol’ judges drama upstaging competition May 12, 2013 12:00 AM
All is not well on TV's once dominant "American Idol," despite a shake-up at the beginning of this season that was supposed to rejuvenate the aging Fox talent competition. Instead, the drama continues to cast a shadow over the series, right up to Thursday's coronation of "Idol's" 12th season champion. A trio of chart-topping new faces on this season's panel was supposed to breathe new life into "Idol." With reported paychecks of $18 million for Mariah Carey, $12 million for Niki Minaj and $6 million for Keith Urban, there hasn't been a return on the investment.
Boone says Drury Lane shows among his last May 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Pat Boone is saying hello — and goodbye — to local audiences. The legendary artist, famous for his clean-cut image and white buck shoes, plays the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace for the first time Monday and Tuesday. And the nearly 79-year old singer says he won't be back: "I have a strong feeling that this is my last time around."