Shortcuts – David Morreale’s From the Dirt

By Peter Robinett / June 3, 2005

From the Dirt David Morreale Mud Luscious Records David Morreale is a talented independent musician who explores a variety of acoustic musical styles in his new album, From the Dirt, a tight collection of songs about love and loss and life on the road. Morreale’s tender singing is put to good use as he crafts deeply personal songs that manage...

Shortcuts – Thievery Corporation @ the Vic

By Peter Robinett / May 26, 2005

Thievery Corporation Vic Theater May 16 Thievery Corporation, the wide-ranging duo of Eric Hilton and Rob Garza, came through Chicago recently to support their latest album, The Cosmic Game. After the opening act (an ’80s pop act infused with tropical sounds), Garza and Hilton took the stage. Hilton played bass, while Garza handled the electronics in what served...

Electronic duo strives and fails to make intelligent dance music

By Peter Robinett / May 17, 2005

The British electronic duo of Sean Booth and Rob Brown, also known as Autechre, recently came to the Metro to promote their latest album, Untitled. Having only heard them a little, I decided on a whim to check them out. Autechre came out at 1 a.m., and the crowd cheered loudly. It was obvious that...

Addicts take note: This Crystal may be good for you

By Peter Robinett / May 13, 2005

The Crystal Method, one of the best-known American electronic music groups, came through Chicago last Friday on their U.S. tour supporting their latest DJ album, Community Service II. The show was held at the Metro. Due to a sold-out and highly anticipated Coldplay concert only a few hours earlier at 7 p.m., the doors didn’t...

Shortcuts – Tree Thirteen’s Rough Grooves Surface

By Peter Robinett / May 6, 2005

Three Thirteen Rough Grooves Surface Out the Box Up-and-coming Chicago hip-hop group Tree Thirteen have launched themselves onto the music scene with their debut album Rough Grooves Surface, which is sure to please music fans everywhere with their quality tunes and engaging lyrics. The group is composed of front man Tree Roots and his partner behind the turntables DJ 007....

Shortcuts: Crystal Method’s “Community Service II”

By Peter Robinett / May 2, 2005

The Crystal Method Community Service II Ultra Perhaps best known for their tracks “Get Busy Child” and “Name of the Game,” the Crystal Method make music that is both hard-rocking with huge beats and undeniably electronic. Following their 2004 artist album Legion of Boom and 2002 DJ album Community Service, they have put together their second DJ album. Community...

Shortcuts – Genomic Dub Collective

By Peter Robinett / February 25, 2005

Genomic Dub Collective Origin of Species in Dub self-released Born out of a celebration of Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species, Origin of Species in Dub is an album composed of selections of Darwin’s seminal work read and sung to dub reggae music. Professor Mark Pallen of the University of Birmingham and colleagues formed...

Shortcuts – Rx

By Peter Robinett / February 25, 2005

Rx The Party Party self-released This online album (free at www.thepartyparty.com) is a humorous set of songs that combines political vitriol with infectious dance beats. Rx combines clips of President Bush’s voice (and imitations, I assume) to create song lyrics that blast the current Bush Administration (for example, “Dick is a killer” and “I propose...

Thievery Corporation mixes jazz, electronica on most mature effort yet

By Peter Robinett / February 25, 2005

The Thievery Corporation is Washington D.C. duo Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, and they are back with even more of their infectious electronic fusion of dub, bossa nova, jazz, and other stylish sounds in their fourth album. The group is perhaps best known for their song “Lebanese Blonde” from their sophomore effort The Mirror Conspiracy,...

U of C Folk Festival notable for its rich history, passionate performances

By Peter Robinett / February 15, 2005

Last weekend saw the 45th annual University of Chicago Folk Festival, which is composed of three shows—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in Mandel Hall—and a series of workshops, dances, and jam sessions throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday in Ida Noyes Hall. The festival has not changed dramatically since its 1961 inception by the...

Folk Festival a success, but students in short supply

By Peter Robinett / February 11, 2005

As part of the 45th Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival, three concerts of folk music were held in Mandel Hall on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Both Friday and Sunday night were composed of three acts, followed by an intermission and two final acts. Saturday’s concert had four performances before the intermission. Every return...

Voices STD (Stuff to Do)

By Peter Robinett / June 8, 2004

All right, this is the last calendar of the year. I know everyone’s working hard right now, but maybe you’ve got to let off steam or you’re done early. Anyway, check out the stuff below. Of course, the big event for many people is something called “graduation,” but I don’t think you go to that...

Voices STD (Stuff to Do)

By Peter Robinett / May 21, 2004

Well, first off, let me say that I goofed in last week’s column. The Festival of the Arts (FOTA) starts this week, so that means that the opening party is today, not last week. Sorry about that. There’s a lot of stuff happening at the U of C this weekend, thanks to Summer Breeze and...

P1xel rocks and acrobats shock, but Voris and Vox proves vexing on Midway

By Peter Robinett / May 21, 2004

The Vorris and Vox student circus came to town this weekend, putting on two performances last Saturday (a third, on Friday night, was canceled due to weather). The circus is composed almost entirely of U of C students, and puts on an annual show at the start of the Festival of the Arts. The Columbian...

Voices STD (Stuff to Do)

By Peter Robinett / May 15, 2004

There’s a nice mix of things going on this week, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Because of the start of the Festival of the Arts, there are many things happening right here at the U of C. Also, don’t forget ongoing events like the Taisho Chic exhibition at the Smart Museum and...

Voices STD (Stuff to Do)

By Peter Robinett / May 7, 2004

Another week, another list. I was going to suggest that the events listed below would be a good alternative to Scav Hunt (and they are), but really, it’s slim pickings this week. Maybe it’s a sign from the Scav Hunt gods. Friday, May 7 Court Theater Student Night, 8-10 p.m., $8. This is a performance...

Voices STD (Stuff to Do)

By Peter Robinett / April 30, 2004

Well, this week is definitely an improvement over last week, with a lot of great concerts, in addition to some interesting theater and films. Friday, April 30 Envy. This oft-delayed movie with Ben Stiller and Jack Black finally opens. Both actors are funny, normally. However, this sounds like it’s going to be one of those...

Voices STD (Stuff to Do)

By Peter Robinett / April 23, 2004

Here comes fifth week, with midterms approaching (or maybe even here already). Unfortunately, there isn’t much new happening in Chicago this week. So that leaves even more time for studying. Great. I’d tell you to go see the Strokes this Friday, but there obviously aren’t any tickets left. Friday, April 23 Pants Pants Revolution! at...

Voices STD (Stuff To Do)

By Peter Robinett / April 16, 2004

Another week, another calendar. Can you dig it? This one’s going to be shorter, since I got a bunch of the ongoing exhibitions out of the way last week. Check the Maroon’s website (maroon.uchicago.edu) if you need a refresher. Friday, April 16 Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1:30 p.m., Kent Nagano conducting. For those with traditional tastes....

Voices STD (Stuff To Do)

By Peter Robinett / April 16, 2004

Another week, another calendar. Can you dig it? This one’s going to be shorter, since I got a bunch of the ongoing exhibitions out of the way last week. Check the Maroon’s website (maroon.uchicago.edu) if you need a refresher. Friday, April 16 Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1:30 p.m., Kent Nagano conducting. For those with traditional tastes....

Voices STD (Stuff to Do)

By Peter Robinett / April 9, 2004

So, I’m going to try to keep you abreast of the latest events going on in Hyde Park and Chicago. Look for future articles in each Friday edition. Also, if I made the horrible mistake of failing to mention some super awesome/totally unique/once-in-a-lifetime event, or, for that matter, if one is coming up, tell me...

Van Dyk looks deeper on new disc

By Peter Robinett / October 20, 2003

Paul van Dyk, while not well known in America, is one of the best-known DJs in Europe. Reflections is his most recent album. He is known for solid, eminently danceable albums, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The album must have been put together in a relatively short period of time due to van Dyk having...

Undead, lycanthropes great for laughs, leather

By Peter Robinett / October 6, 2003

If you want to see a good movie with Kate Beckinsale, this is not it. Of course, I doubt a movie about an eternal war between vampires and werewolves is going to be a mass-market success. With a no-name cast and a first time director whose only previous movie credits seem to be as assistant...