12 Nov 2002

John Mellencamp

By Kevin Schafer
There are certain words that I promised myself that I would not use in this review. “Anthemic,” for example. Or “rural rock.” Or “heartland,” or “heartfelt,” or “heart”-anything for that matter. Why? Because these are terms that have been attached to John Mellencamp ever since those early days of MTV, back when Johnny Cougar boogied down with bar bikers in the original “Hurts So Good” video.
12 Nov 2002

More Than Alt Country

By Todd McGreevy
Being a Wilco virgin, I was under the tutelage of a handful of veteran listeners who explained that Wilco was more then just alt country. The band’s latest album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot has garnered much critical acclaim and was even being compared to the Beatles’ White Album, stated one of my new mentors.
12 Nov 2002

An End-of-the-World Party

By Tom Swanson
Portland, Oregon, is creating some unique breeds these days. The Epoxies are the resurgence of an inescapably pleasurable combination of punk and new wave, and the result on the band's self-titled debut is really short and upbeat songs, flashy hooks, very competent musicianship, and damn smart, simple lyrics.
12 Nov 2002

Gorilla (Not Gorillaz) Releases Album

By John James
• Prepare yourself for "gorilla-rap" or maybe "gorilla-scat" as lowland superstar Koko has announced the debut of her Fine Animal Gorilla album, the first ever release by, well, a gorilla. The 31-year-old is best known as one of a select group of lowland gorillas raised to communicate in American Sign Language by San Francisco's Gorilla Foundation.
05 Nov 2002

Enjoying the Wrong Side of Fame

By Jeff Ignatius
On the downslide from pop stardom, a funny thing happened to John Mellencamp: He became a damned good songwriter and produced a couple of the strongest (and most underrated) rock records of the 1990s. People who wrote off the Indiana-bred singer from his "John Cougar" and "John Cougar Mellencamp" days have missed the development of a high-caliber songwriter and pop craftsman who has never abandoned his heartland roots but has still shown a willingness to stretch.
05 Nov 2002

QCSO Takes a Chance on New Music but Misses an Opportunity

By Zach Carstensen
The November 2 Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) concert had it all: a dazzling North American premiere, an audience favorite, and an emotional roller coaster. And aside from isolated errors, the performance was technically sound.
05 Nov 2002

Have Yourself a DVD Christmas

By John James
Retailers are wishing for a DVD Christmas this year, and record labels large and small are releasing tides of great titles. The Cult has just released Live Cult, a 17-track concert CD filmed at Los Angeles' Grand Olympic Auditorium.
29 Oct 2002

Make Your Way to the Front Porch for Stellar Blues

By Mike Hogan
Get ready for some great blues coming to the Adler Theater on Monday, November 4. Billed as the "Front Porch Blues" show, the stellar lineup includes Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Henry Butler, Corey Harris, and Deborah Coleman.
29 Oct 2002

NOT FOR SALE:

By Uncle Roscoe
Lumpy’s was jumpin’ again as Asiasis rocked the back room. Pat Simpson had a concept and Drew Irion, John Clark, Tony Lujan, and Shawn Skriver all made it theirs, too. “No Dokken, Poison, or Motley Crue; we’re all original.
29 Oct 2002

Boston Returns with Corporate America

By John James
• For 20 years, Boston held the record for the best-selling debut album of all time, and it's hard to flip through anyone's uncle's record collection and not find a copy of the self-titled monster from 1976. Even though Boston has had just three releases since then, the group is back this Tuesday with Corporate America, featuring guitarist and electronics superstar Tom Scholz and original vocalist Brad Delp.

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Music Calendars

Submit your event listings to calendar@rcreader.com