WIUX

WIUX Vibes with Helicopters, Red Bird, and BW Tousley & Jacqui Mountain

Ryan Patena — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:31:17 +0000

Friday 11/14 - 8pm to 11pm
Collins Coffee House - Free Admission

Download: WIUX Fall Newsletter

Ryan Patena — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:43:40 +0000

Click to Download Issue 1

Download

Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

Kelsey McArdle — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:04:11 +0000

If you thought that her first solo album collaboration with the Watson Twins showed her knack for crafting soulful tunes, singer/songwriter Jenny Lewis shines even brighter on her sophomore release, Acid Tongue. Both tempestuous and tart, the songstress has woven together yet another album full of beautifully insightful ballads and gospel/folk flavored anthems that further display her endless source of solo creativity. Simultaneously singing with voracity and vulnerability, Lewis packs a punch on Acid Tongue that makes for a breathtaking listen. With guest appearance from She & Him members M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, as well as music icon Elvis Costello on “Carpetbaggers,” this long-awaited album surely delivers a sonic surprise.

Old Crow Medicine Show - Tennessee Pusher

Kelsey McArdle — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:02:13 +0000

With their recent release, Tennessee Pusher, Old Crow Medicine Show once again wade in the sound of American folk music, all the while pushing its boundaries with a rough-and-tumble tenacity. Combining the hot fire of bluegrass and the soothing sounds of country crooners long gone, Old Crow tip their hat to the forefathers of the genre while unapologetically modernizing their brand of folk music with fiery lyrics that reek of sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Shugo Tokumaru - Exit

Kelsey McArdle — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:56:10 +0000

Exit embodies much of the positivity and airiness associated with a sector of Japanese music that includes artists like Takagi Masakatsu, Kazumasa Hashimoto and Tatsuhiko Asano. Harmonicas, handclaps, guitars and numerous other sound makers form Exit’s aural tapestry. Organic and mechanical sounds combine to yield something that’s not only quintessentially human, but a celebration of humanity itself. The songs sound like animated toys at play with their inventor, each playing off the strengths of the other to create something rooted in child-like curiosity. The album never devolves into pretense and the songs remain cohesive without becoming monotonous. Despite the language barrier, Tokumaru’s playful singing and infectious optimism need no translation.
Review by Olaolu Jegede.

Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation

Kelsey McArdle — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:52:56 +0000

With a catalytic album cover featuring the iconic Subcomandante Marcos, the expectations of an incendiary album contained within the packaging abound. Instead, Thievery Corp sticks to its craft, presenting chill-out grooves largely intertwined with Indian and South American influences. The problem is that many of these grooves are more likely to recall images of sandy beaches than the slums less than a hundred yards away from them. The political songs are typically a little faster with heavier percussion, but they still feel like the same Thievery Corp grooves we’ve heard on many of their past albums. RR is still a largely appealing album with many of the softer female vocalists complimenting the grooves better than their more political peers, but the traditional Thievery sound will start to feel hollow to a lot of long time listeners.

Murs – Murs For President

Kelsey McArdle — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:47:28 +0000

On Murs for President, the rapper traverses familiar territories by rapping about poverty, hubris, personal drama, et al. While his choice of subject matter is admirable, the songs are unfortunately often tempered by stiff cadence, unimaginative or absent wordplay, and poetry that doesn’t help these familiar topics transcend beyond obviousness. The beats, however, have an impressive range, comfortably avoiding predictability and generally sounding very well tailored to each particular song. The album probably won’t convert those who aren’t fans of Murs, but still remains largely enjoyable with the help of dynamic production and confident, emotive (and tired) lyricism.

Okkervil River - The Stand Ins

Kelsey McArdle — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:11:55 +0000

Playing out Part Two of the story that started with their 2007 album, The Stage Names, Okkervil River comes back stronger and better than ever on their recent release, The Stand Ins. Bellowing his epic stories over a beautiful folk-rock blend, Will Sheff hasn’t failed to craft another awe-invoking album full of vibrantly novel-esque numbers that seem to grow to epic proportions. Once again adding another bright star to Bloomington’s Jagjaguwar catalogue, this album is one worth listening to again and again.

Sebastian Grainger - American Names EP

Kelsey McArdle — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:10:31 +0000

Leaving behind the chunky, fast-paced music of his former, now-defunct band, Death From Above 1979, Sebastian Grainger displays a side of melodic depth and a newfound creativity on his debut solo EP, American Names. Joining forces with the intimidating Saddle Creek roster, Grainger serves up a dose of mellowed down indie power-tunes while still infusing his signature distortions throughout the mix. Although his former band may be sorely missed, Grainger has skillfully proved he hasn’t left the music game just yet and has much more up his sleeve for his October full-length debut.

Bears - Simple Machinery

Kelsey McArdle — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:03:22 +0000

With a penchant for placid folk-pop and a dash of Midwest charm, the Cleveland duo of Craig Ramsey and Charlie McArthur, their studio and live collective going under the moniker Bears, surrenders its heart-achingly sweet sophomore release, Simple Machinery. Abandoning deliberate dramatics for a sound that rings with an understated maturity, Bears captures the simplicity and candor of their most sincere emotions and paints a pleasant soundscape that puts their sweet words on a pedestal rather than shrouding them within the song. Soothing guitars mix with bouncy bass lines, occasionally blending with the rollicking folk sounds of piano or banjo that add a dash of color to the mix. Both lovely and relaxing, Bears’ Simple Machinery proves there can only be magic in the making for more future releases.