
Midwestern singer-songwriter and noted producer, Will Phalen , continues to blaze haunting Americana trails with his 3 rd full-length release, Holy Ghost / Gold Coast , a collection of solo recordings that finds Phalen in a folksy trance, momentarily stepping outside the framework of his band, The Stereo Addicts [...]

Norman Toronto Three think-sunny-thoughts reasons to get out of the house and wander over to the Double Door tonight... 1. The Albany Park quintet Norman Toronto and His Band easily fit within Chicago's vast and exciting psychedelic rock scene with its penchant for low-rumbling, swirling rhythms and sharp guitar solos. The glue that holds these ragamuffins together is Norman Toronto himself. The frontman's rich baritone triggers thoughts to other great dramatic vocalists such as Morrissey and Danzig. The band's album Rock and Roll [...]
Five Good Covers presents five cross-genre reinterpretations of an oft-covered song. Every band likes to end gigs with their biggest song. Arcade Fire must have a hard time drafting a set list, since every one of their songs is massive, but for a long time they've been sending off fans with the truly epic "Wake Up." It's a grand, soaring song that really requires the dedication of all eight Arcade Fire members. However, it's also such a gem that other artists can't help but try to take it on, though most of them tone it down to a more manageable [...]

Friends & Family II Chicago imprint Grape Juice Records just released its second annual compilation album free to the public on the label's bandcamp page on December 20. The album, Friends & Family II , includes such local folk and indie rock acts as Jon Drake & The Shakes, Julie Meckler, Will Phalen, Musikanto and Rambos, just to name a few. Grape Juice's yearly compilation tradition began last year when the label celebrated its fifth anniversary in high-style, including a custom cake from Charm City Cakes (AKA [...]

( Sad Songs & Waltzes is a recurring feature on Muzzle of Bees, where artists share their favorite sad songs. Previous contributors include Damien Jurado and Kasey Anderson .) By Will Phalen April the 14th pt 1 / Ruination Day pt 2 Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator) I clearly remember the first time I heard Time (The Revelator) . In fact it was the first time I really listened to Gillian Welch . Though [...]
The first post of the month always features covers of every track on a famous album. Got an idea for a future pick? Leave a note in the comments!In 1967 Jimi Hendrix exploded on the scene with his debut Are You Experienced. It only took about twenty seconds into "Purple Haze" to realize rock and roll wasn't going to be the same. Though Hendrix covers tend to be an excuse for self-indulgent

I continue the chronological countdown of my favourite albums of the last decade with the debut effort from Canada's Arcade Fire. I must admit that I was completely unfamiliar with the band's music when they played the Electric Picnic in 2005, even though they seemed to be the act that everyone wanted to check out. I never got to see them as I reasoned that people were being taken in by all the hype surrounding the band. When I eventually decided to check out the album the next year I knew I had been wrong. I was immediately [...]
This Week's News If you're like the Dude, you hate the fucking Eagles . Chromeo, the electro-funk duo behind such classics as "Needy Girl" and "Bonafide Lover" get past the "Hotel California" pretension for a hyper-danceable cover of "I Can't Tell You Why." Get it for the price of an email address here . Vinyl lovers rejoice! The Vinyl Collective is putting out three new volumes of their "Under the Influence" 7" series, featuring brand new covers of Superchunk, T. Rex, and [...]

Going offline for two weeks means returning to an inbox in the triple digits, and though my brain is swimming a bit from trying to cut it down to size in one afternoon, sifting through the backlog of sound is made easier by the presence of a few true gems, and a few others with moments of greatness they just cry out to be heard in spite of any rough edges. I'll have video, audio, and commentary from the newest and best from my annual pilgrimage through the New England folk scene anon, probably early [...]