2019
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
JANUARY - JUNE
2019 closed out a tumultuous decade. The world is at odds over the furthering of the cultural revolution. A cold civil war over values and economic justice fueled by the never ending stream of the information age. A generational battle made all the more noisy by the easily accessible negativity heaped on us all, day in day out, by corporate interests on a quest for the easy buck. So we turn it off, we spurn reaction for meditation, news for art, and unplug our brains from social media and into the groove of music.
Meanwhile in our neck of the urban wilderness, Chicago’s scene flourishes on, as big and bad as ever. The following is a rundown of the records and shows we loved from 2019. Not all of them are from Chicago, but most of the bands featured here toured through our fair metropolis once or twice this year. We at CCS don’t believe in the rank and file systems of the MSM. Instead of numbers and lists, we give you the year as it happened. So here it is dear Surfers, our 2019 Year In Review January - June.
-Kyle Land
Co-founder and Content Editor
A note on links: Band Names almost always link to Spotify. Album Titles almost always link to Bandcamp (so you can buy these artist’s music. Stop being a cheapskate and purchase some damn music! Praise Art, as Rahim would say, and lay down some green!)
JANUARY
Sharon Van Etten
Remind Me Tomorrow
Sharon Van Etten has been busy since the release of her last full-length, Are We There back in 2014. During this time, she returned to school to study psychology, landed a role in the Netflix series The OA, and became a mother. These life changes inevitably influenced her music resulting in Remind Me Tomorrow being her most experimental album to date. Van Etten traded in her stripped down folk rock in favor of various electronic sounds. You’re undoubtedly familiar with the singles: the synth pop of “Comeback Kid”, the ambient Beach House-esque “Jupiter 4”, and the synth/piano rock hybrid “Seventeen.” I would also implore you to give the trip-hop influenced “Memorial Day”, the light ‘60s pop touches on “You Shadow”, and the beautiful reverb- drenched “Stay” your attention as well!
-Eric Wiersema
****
Tomorrow never knows
Lincoln Hall / Schubas / Sleeping Village /
The Metro / The Hideout
January 16th - 20th
Always on top of up and coming artists and who’s on top of the indie scene Tomorrow Never Knows Festival is the highlight of Chicago winter and 2019 saw some excellent acts come through the annual club festival. Organized by Audiotree, with Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Sleeping Village, The Metro, and The Hideout all participating, the festival traverses the Northside with indie rock bliss in mid January. With so many great acts it was tough to choose this year, but Charly Bliss and Girl K lit up Lincoln Hall opening night followed by the excellent lineup of locals Lala Lala and Varsity opening for Snail Mail at Metro. Our first exposure to Sir Babygirl came when she opened for the excellent Petal at Schubas, and the whole fest came to a magic close as Oklahoma synth rock mavens Sports closed out our fest at Lincoln Hall. With TNK 2020 just around the corner, make sure to grab a festival pass (that grants you entry to all shows). This year’s lineup features even more locals, and is sure to hold you through those winter blues.
****
Deeper / Divino Niño /
The Hecks / Mia Joy
Sleeping Village - January 11th
This highly anticipated, sold out show was the perfect burst to send Chicago’s 2019 local music scene on a fruitful trajectory. All four groups went on to bust their britches and flourish beyond even their own expectations - multiple new albums (Divino Niño, The Hecks), several cross-national tours (Deeper, Divino Niño, The Hecks), European tour (Deeper, with another in the books). This year saw conflict in hotly debated new venues. The fresh but solid forces of Sleeping Village joined the ranks of CIVL to defend independent venues, and the dedicated working artists who perform night after night within our supportive community.
Better Oblivion Community Center
Better Oblivion Community Center
The best surprise team up of 2019 came early in the form of Phoebe Bridgers joining forces with indie shape shifter Connor Oberest to form Better Oblivion Community Center. A poignant and touching record about finding your center in what has become a puzzling and difficult modern life. Fresh off joining Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus in super band boygenius, Bridgers continued to show her collaborative muscles by standing side by side the giant of Oberest for every single excellent tune. An instant indie classic Better Oblivion Community Center seems to have gone forgotten due to its early year release, but it’s on our list as one of the best records of the year.
- Kyle Land
Mike Krol
Power Chords
Fuzz. Sooo much fuzz. Tight well constructed rock 'n' roll. It only took two songs. The lead/title track "Power Chords" that declare love with the perfect rock tune, into the second track exclaiming "What's the Rhythm"...of my heart breaking. Back to back hooks by Mike Krol that guaranteed I was in for Power Chords
Naked Giants
Green Fuzz (EP)
These guys bring us rock fueled by grunge, punk, blues, hip hop, and any number of other influences. Many show up in the epic title track of their EP Green Fuzz. The song is a long jam that they would use as a live jam. They kept adding to it and letting it evolve. Which is exactly the word for it. This song has movements. Just when I thought the tune was going to end around the 5 minute mark, we get a delicious drum solo by Henry LaVallee. The recording is a very satisfying 9 min. It captures the energy and feel of their live performances, which can blow your hair back. Next time Naked Giants come through town, you should come out and see how "Green Fuzz" has evolved.
-Tina Mead
FEBRUARY
Ovef Ow
Crash the Party (EP)
Bringing that perfect balance of driving surf punk drums and reedy keys, Ovef Ow epitomizes the new wave aesthetic. "Hootie Hottie" is a party and a little scary. Like they are inviting you out for best (or last) night or your life. The vocals tight harmonies are warm and echo the reedy tones of the keys. A great Chicago band and Crash the Party is a perfect party album.
-Tina Mead
Sharkula X Mukqs
Prune City
A collaboration made in Chicago music heaven, the experimental beats of Mukqs meeting the rhymes of local mainstay Sharkula makes Prune City one of the years most rewarding listens.
Ladytron
Ladytron
The British electronic quartet returns with their self-titled sixth album and first release since 2011’s Gravity The Seducer. Ladytron is a worthy comeback album that finds the band as strong as ever touching on elements of new wave, electropop, industrial, and even dream pop and shoegaze. For Ladytron at their poppiest, check out “The Island”, which almost resembles as CHVRCHES song. If you’re into more of their darker dystopian side, check out “Paper Highways”, “Deadzone”, and “You’ve Changed.” If the current rise of right-wing demagogues brings on the apocalypse, we’ll at least have a kickass soundtrack!
-Eric Wiersema
Girlpool
What Chaos Is Imaginary
Harmony Tividad and Cleo Tucker returned with a fuller sound and a new image on What Chaos Is Imaginary. After Tucker’s transition the duo’s voices, once indistinguishable, are now octaves apart; adding a whole new element to Girlpool’s indie rock vibe.
Smashed Plastic Grand Opening
Our own Mick Reed was on hand for the Grand Opening of Chicago’s new (and only) vinyl press. This year Smashed Plastic has pressed records for countless local and non-local acts, with beautiful designs and the best parties around. If you missed November’s Bloodshot 25th Anniversary Compilation release party, it was a phenomenal good time. With performances by Serengeti, Diagonal, The Lawrence Peters Outfit and Bleach Party, this party was the place to be that chilly February evening.
Twin Talk
Weaver
With Katie Ernst’s breathy vocalizations and bass florishs, Dustin Laurenzi’s sax reps, and Andrew Green following them with rhythmic precision this Chicago trio has an original esthetic that goes far beyond conventional jazz. Twin Talk are a local must catch live, but if you can’t make the club let them string you along with Weaver.
Sir Babygirl
Crush On Me
Tender punk, and associated Tumbler friendly sub-genres of alternative rock and pop, held unquestionable sway over the hearts and minds of many of a perpetually plugged in, perpetual adolescent type in the ‘10s (myself included), but few artists in this lane made quite as bold a statement as Kelsie Hogue aka Sir Babygirl on his/her/their debut, Crush on Me. This spunky pop princess cut her teeth in a hardcore band out east, then crashed head-first into the comedy scene here in Chicago, before escaping back to the woods of the northeast to embrace her destiny as a living Lisa Frank trapper-keeper cover, extracted and heat-sealed to a second-hand Telecaster. Crush On Me is like one long, magical, sugar rush that ends with an emotional epiphany that would typically cost several thousand dollars worth of a licensed therapist's time to reach. This is not to say that you shouldn’t continue to see your therapist (seriously, keep your appointments), but rather that Crush On Me can help you figure out what you need to talk about during your next session. What else do I need to say? Get enough sleep. Drink water. Hold your friends tight. Smash the patriarchy. Repeat.
Gazebo Effect
Gazebo Effect
A young jam band on the move, Gazebo Effect slowly worked their way up to their killer self titled debut full length that deserves a whole lot more attention than it received. Elements of classic, prog, and radio rock blend into a seamless groove for thirty thunderous minutes.
Angel Bat Dawid
The Oracle
A revelation of mythic proportions Angel Bat Dawid’s debut solo effort The Oracle is already a nu-jazz classic. The composer/clarinetist/singer/inspiration is a Chicago treasure who is getting her due with this indispensable record. We’re not into rankings but this is one of the best, if not THE best release of the year.
Panache’s Benefit For
Planned Parenthood
Lincoln Hall
Whitney / Knox Fortune / Deeper / Jeff Tweedy / Tasha / Pool Holograph / V.V. Lightbody / Gia Margaret / Femdot
Nothing short of magical was the evening at Lincoln Hall where a plethora of Chicago talent came out for Panache’s Benefit For Planned Parenthood. A night of covers was in store for the packed house with excellent moments from Tasha covering Dixie Chicks’ “Lullaby”, to Pool Holograph covering “Fade Into You”, and Jeff Tweedy’s excellent “It Must Be Love.” But the highlight of the evening was Whitney’s intimate duo set featuring Neil Young’s “Love In Mind” and a few new ones that ended up on Forever Turned Around.
- Kyle Land
Midwinter Fest
Art Institute of Chicago
An experiment in audience patience and venue structure, Pitchfork’s inaugural Midwinter Fest was a mild success in bringing a whole weekend of musical festivities to Chicago’s most iconic museum. However, even after crowds turned out for performances by notable indie novelties like Hiss Golden Messenger, Marisa Anderson, Sudan Archives, Slowdive, and local emcee Joey Purp, among many others, including beautiful soundscapes set to certain art galleries; it appears the Art Institute of Chicago is not holding the event for a second year. Will Pitchfork find another venue? Given there is a month and a half till the same weekend, the chances are slim. But this particular event will always hold special memories....
Julia Jacklin
Crushing
Julia Jacklin is a master storyteller. She takes us to the depths of her heartbreak in Crushing. Before she can figure out how to put her life back together, she has to fully express what that loss felt like. The things that you do to try and feel ok, even when you aren’t. Anyone who has experienced a breakup can find themselves in this album. Yet part of the power is the specificity in the lyrics. She captures crystalline moments in her life so precisely, you can picture it like a film playing out. Close your eyes and let her tell you a story. Just don't forget to have tissues handy.
-Tina Mead
Music Frozen Dancing
Mykele Deville
Maintain
No stranger to the local scene Mykele Deville found his voice years ago, but his real coming out party occured with the release of Maintain. If Chicago was a hip hop album Maintain is it’s spine, it’s structure, it’s basis. Every single track is inspirational, emotional, and educational.
-Kyle Land
Empty Bottle
The Empty Bottle’s annual outdoor fest was a wet one this year, but who could resist the prospect of Ty Segall and White Fence joining forces to absolutely destroy through a February downpour. Along with locals Glyders and Negative Scanner and the always entertaining antics of Plack Blague it was a Music Frozen Dancing to remember, even if it there was far more liquid than ice.
-Kyle Land
March
Absolutely Not
Problematic
Punk meets synth pop noise in Chicago quartet Absolutely Not’s slamming effort Problematic. One of the years most playable local releases.
SXSW Send Off Party
Dehd / Waco Brothers / The Curls / Good Fuck / Tatiana Hazel / Tasha / Half Gringa
The Hideout
The annual Hideout’s SXSW Send Off party is always a good time, but the double edged opening of Tasha and Half Gringa and The Curls, Waco Brothers, Dehd back to back, whipping the hometown crowd into a frenzy, made this one particularly special, as fans wished them well in their Austin bound journeys.
Girl K
For Now
Few Chicago artists gained more attention this year than Kathy Patino and the boys of Girl K. As For Now gained steam they were busy with gig after gig, opening for hometown friends and touring acts and headlining a couple excellent bills. After a few years of laying the groundwork, Patino cashed in with a well deserved year at the top of her game.
Jovan Landry
Synergy
Inspirational in essence, this all female produced record is not only filled with excellent rhymes and beats, Synergy is a testament to the strength and skill of the female hip-hop artists that populate this city. The brainchild of Chicago artist Jovan Landry who was joined by far too many amazing artists to list here, Synergy is a landmark in our cultural landscape.
Oozing Wound
High Anxiety
Oozing Wound continued their ascent in 2019, dropping the phenomenal High Anxiety and cementing their status as the "cool" metal band that gets invited to all the birthday parties and bar mitzvah, and that you'll let take your sister on a date (even despite that offhand comment their bassist made about the moon landing being a stunt). All joking aside, High Anxiety is like few other thrash albums released this year. Heck, it's like few other thrash records period. It's hairy, creeky, angular, and gratuitous in ways that are more characteristic of the Mevlins or The Jesus Lizard than Death Angel. If you need something to boil off away the bad vibes this winter, give High Anxiety a spin. Recommended tracks: "Surrounded by Fucking Idiots," "Die on Mars," "Birth of a Flat Earther."
Bill MacKay
Fountain Fire
The master of his instrument, a new Bill MacKay is always a treat. Considered one of the best guitarists and songwriters in Chicago, MacKay’s skills are on full display in the engaging Fountain Fire.
Engine Summer
Indiana
One of our fav surf punk bands, Engine Summer had a very productive 2019, producing a full album, two additional singles and two music videos. Their full length Indiana has all the rolling rock I come to expect from them. They are too hard driving to be psych, but too experimental and groovy to be punk. This melding is part of what makes their sound interesting. They set up a sound and jam on it. Repeating key phrases (both lyrical and melodic) and changing the presentation gradually, exposing and enhancing the relationship between punk and psych. Close inspection shows some pretty dark themes explored in the lyrics. But their mastery of hooky melodies and bouncy tempos make the gradual exploration of the melody a pleasant existential ride.
Catch Engine Summer for their EP release at Schubas, January 4, 2020 $10.
Andrew Bird
My Finest Work Yet
One of Chicago’s most recognized exports Andrew Bird has never stopped producing finely crafted, harmonically challenging tunes, and My Finest Work Yet is as engaging as any of his excellent catalog.
American Football
American Football (LP3)
Possibly the most commercial of American Football’s records, LP3 still captures the remarkable melodies and rhythms that made them legends so many years ago even if it dials down the punch.
Varisty / Pool Holograph /
Stuyedeyed / rookie
Ex Hex
It's Real
Mary Timony’s (Autoclave, Helium, Wild Flag) post-punk project Ex Hex releases their long-awaited sophomore album that follows 2014’s fantastic Rips. On It’s Real, Mary Timony and the gang take the formula that made Rips a success and crank it up to 11. The production is more polished, the guitars are louder, and the songs are notably more diverse. The opener, “Tough Enough” is just fun, straight-up rock n roll with strong ‘70s and ‘80s arena rock influences. “Rainbow Shiner” and “Another Dimension” even delve into glam metal at some points. The strongest material, however, harkens back to the retro punk of their debut like “Diamond Drive” and “Cosmic Cave.”
Orville Peck
Pony
If Morrissey or Chris Issak ever made an alt-country album (not that I am holding my breath for that to happen), it would probably sound something like Orville Peck’s Pony. Peck is a mysterious queer Canadian country musician. Very little is known about his personal life and he is notorious for always wearing a Lone Ranger face mask when performing live and even in interviews. All we know is this guy has pipes and excellent songwriting skills that harkens back to a time when country music was truly something special. Give the single, “Turn to Hate,” a listen and you will understand what I mean when I make the new wave comparisons!
La Dispute
Panorama
La Dispute have consistently been one of the more interesting post-hardcore bands of this past decade.. Panorama finds the Grand Rapids quintet picking up where they left off from 2014’s Rooms of the House by continuing to incorporate more acoustic instrumentation, spoken word passages, and jazz influences. Despite this experimentation, Panorama is still aggressive and frontman Jordan Dwyer’s storytelling skills and emotional pull is undeniable. As with all La Dispute albums, Panorama proves to be a rewarding albeit emotionally exhausting listen. Recommended tracks- “Fulton Street 1”, “Rhodonite and Grief”, “Anxiety Panorama”.
FACS
Lifelike
The experimental shoe-gaze of Chicago trio FACS is unlike anything else. Brain Case’s ferocious drumming pairs with the fuzzed out delivery of Noah Leger’s guitar to produce one of the most interesting and sonically ambitious sounds in the city, and sophomore effort Lifelike hypnotically captivates like few releases this year
Thalia Hall “In The Round”
Our friends at ANCHR magazine hosted this fantastic “In The Round” Showcase at Thalia Hall and Chicago’s own Varsity and Pool Holograph teamed up to bring a large crowd to the floor of the Pilsen venue. But the heat coming from ROOKIE to open the night, threatened to steal the show.
April
David Quinn
Wanderin’ Fool
The new star of Chicago’s thriving honky tonk scene made a splash with his debut solo effort Wanderin’ Fool. With classic country roots and new fangled songcraft David Quinn is on in all the right ways.
Fontaines D.C.
Dogrel
The Dublin punks of Fontaines D.C. produced an instant classic with debut Dogrel. A fist in the air, chant along, masterpiece that will surely stand as one of the best punk albums of the coming years. A mantra to brave the oncoming darkness.
Pixel Grip
Heavy Handed
Spring came early with the electro pop stylings of Chicago trio Pixel Grip ripping apart the winter cold to bring their deep black glow on the righteous Heavy Handed.
Priests
The Seduction of Kansas
The DC art punkers returned with their sophomore album The Seduction of Kansas. Priests continue to refine their unique blend of post-punk, dance, surf, and goth. The title track is a cynical take on politicians pandering to Middle America skillfully referencing football, Superman, Dorothy, White Castle, Pizza Hut, and the Koch brothers all in the same song. “You Tube Sarte” is a call to arms where frontwoman Alice Greer declares “There’s no way to overthrow the bourgeoise except tossing a hand grenade.” Other highlights include the goth-tinged “Ice Cream” and “Good Time Charlie”, a Metric-esque new wave tune paying tribute to Congressman Charlie Wilson.
Pivot Gang
You Can’t Sit With Us
Chicago is known for its tight-knit hip hop crews and Pivot Gang’s debut full length not only showed off the skills of known members brothers Saba and Joseph Chillims it introduced the general public to fellow PG pieces MFnMelo, Frsh Waters, and SqueakPIVOT. A chill and thought provoking collection that displays all there is to love about Chicago hip hop. Long live the memory of John Walt!
PUP
Morbid Stuff
The Toronto pop-punk band returns with their third album and strongest to date. PUP’s songwriting is more focused, the music is heavier, and this is the band’s first album to have an overarching concept- coping with depression and mental illness. “Free at Last” is a high-energy pop-punk tune that features guest vocals from Charly Bliss frontwoman Eva Hendricks. The band delves into hardcore and metal territory on the closer “City.” However, the true highlight of Morbid Stuff is “Scorpion Hill”, a story about hitting rock bottom with a job loss, a baby on the way, and the resulting feelings of helplessness and anxiety. Any fan of punk or pop-punk needs to give this a spin!
Maykaya McCraven / Resavoir
Empty Bottle
Our first exposure to the magic of Resavoir and the crazy experience of a sold out jazz show at The Empty Bottle made this Maykaya McCraven joint one of the highlights of the year.
May
Emily Nott
Time Before
Comforting in its lovely simplicity and beautiful songcraft Emily Nott’s debut record Time Before shows just how diverse Chicago’s music scene really is, with her appalachian influenced folk tunes holding their own against any of the scenes more experimental acts.
Dehd
Water
Always challenging the sonic spectrum of what they can do as a spare trio, Dehd surpassed their mark with outstanding sophomore full length Water. After leaving other projects behind to concentrate on Dehd, 2019 was a watershed moment for the local trio and there is surely a bright future ahead as they continue to get bigger gigs.
Jamila Woods
Legacy! Legacy!
A hometown hero, Jamila Woods struck musical gold with Legacy! Legacy!. A soul/R&B amalgam of stunning artistry and thoughtful influence.
…And You Will Know us by the trail of dead / protomartyr / melkbelly
Deer Tick /
Courtney Marie Andrews
Thalia Hall
Possibly the longest set we witnessed all year as Deer Tick ran through a massive amount of their catalog in an over two hour marathon that featured opener Courtney Marie Andrews for a fantastic version of “Up Where We Belong.”
Woongi
Rip’s Cuts
Strange, undefinable, and altogether addicting Woongi’s 2019 entry Rip’s Cuts is one of those records you continually come back to, and always discover something new each and every time.
Possessed
Revelations Of Oblivion
Possessed are probably the most influential bands in underground metal next to Slayer and Venom. They're widely cited as the first death metal band (a label they proudly embrace), and stylistically represent a distinctive split between thrash and later branching genres of extreme metal. Revelations Of Oblivion is something of a miracle coming 32 full years after the band's last full release. You'd be forgiven if you thought that interest in the group had waned somewhat in the intervening years; but when bands as diverse as Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, and Dimmu Borgir all site a group as a defining influence, people tend not to forget their name. When Revelations Of Oblivion dropped earlier this year, it felt like... well a revelation! There have been plenty of phenomenal death metal releases this year, but none have deterred me from returning to this album regularly and listening to it in its entirety (including while writing this recap). This is an album that will be in rotation for me well into 2020, and it deserves your attention if you haven't given it a go-round already. Favorite tracks: "No More Room in Hell," "Demon," "Ritual."
****
Logan Square Auditorium
Memorable for being the last Melkbelly show before Miranda Winters and company went on leave to welcome the little Melkbelly member, only reappearing in the last several months of the year, and for the killer set by Protomartyr before ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail Of Dead played all of their classic hit Madonna in it’s entirety.
Spencer Radcliffe & Everyone Else
Hot Spring
The new work from the prolific Spencer Radcliffe came with his enclave of musicians Everyone Else for the sprawling Hot Spring. The country tinged indie folk flavor rides the wave of steel guitar into the sunset.
****
Fauvely
This Is What The Living Do
Lush, yet light and tight, Sophie Brochu and the guys delivered a winner with their EP This Is What The Living Do. Few artists can pull off making intellectually stimulating music that still pulls at the emotional core quite like Fauvely.
The Curls
Bounce House
Following the success of Super Unit and a few lineup shakeups, The Curls returned with the even more art rock styled Bounce House. With shades of soul era Bowie tied up with the new wave beats of Devo and Zappa’s tongue in cheek humor, Bounce House finds The Curls at their most compact and entertaining.
Amyl and The Sniffers
Amyl and the Sniffers
The Aussie rockers took home the ARIA Best Rock Album of the Year for their self titled debut album. Truly deserving for Amyl and The Sniffers who found a way to harness the energy of their live shows into an album. A punch in the face from start to finish Amyl and The Sniffers is one of the most fun albums of the year. A good listen when you need a pick me up. “Monsoon Rock” or “Some Mutts Can’t be Muzzled” are sure fire go tos when you just feel like heading banging.
TREE / Parallel Thought
The Wild End
Chicago legend TREE went back to his Cabrini Green youth for this compelling and addicting record produced with Parallel Thought. Speaking volumes to the Black Chicago experience, The Wild End is essential listening for all citizens of this metropolis.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Dedicated
Carly Rae Jepsen is the best and most underrated pop star we have. She’s inspired legions of devoted fans, one of them speaking to you now, with her smart blend of 80s nostalgia and current trends. And while maybe this album is not as immediately majestic as 2015’s EMOTION, it’s a step forward for the burgeoning singer - both as a songwriter and lyricist. Trading in the 80s nostalgia, Dedicated is awash in glowing synth that delivers a more modern pop romp. Typically, I quickly grow tired of straight pop albums before their end, but Carly Rae’s dedication to her craft and sheer charisma kept me coming back for continuous front-to-back plays.
*
*
*
June
Do Division
Street fest season officially begins every year with Do Division. Those sweet first few days of libations under the sun on baking asphalt while band after band, curated by Empty Bottle and Subterranean, busts open Summer. This years fest featured plenty of local talent from REZN and Bumpus to Russian Circles and Paul Cherry and more there was a little for everyone on display. The highlights of the weekend was a killer set from Austin rockers Sweet Spirit and Mikal Cronin’s headlining display.
-Kyle Land
Acquaintances
8 ½ Lives
Six years after their first effort, these lifers of the scene got together again for 8 ½ Lives. Members of The Ponys, Titus Andronicus, Bare Mutants, and The Poison Arrows (plus plenty more defunct and current bands) came together to form Acquaintances in 2013 and this long awaited sophomore record is post-punk at its finest.
Pelican
Nighttime Stories
Long known for it’s post-rock instrumental scene Chicago has given birth to plenty of righteous spawns of the genre and Pelican is right up there with the best. Nighttime Stories continues the quartets mastery of mood and structure that creates soundscapes of epic proportion.
Serengeti
June
Showing a different side of his demeanor, rapper/producer Serengeti departed from his “Dennehy” M.O. to deliver an R&B hybrid record that shows just how diverse an artist can develop over time. June is a lushly developed record that lends itself to a quality listen, and then hit the rest of the artists 2019 releases. It was a busy year for one of Chicago’s most prolific musicians.
Stef Chura
Midnight
Midnight is the sophomore album and Saddle Creek debut from the Detroit singer-songwriter. Stef Chura combines the angst of ‘90s singer-songwriters like Liz Phair and Juliana Hatfield with the folk sensibilities of many of her new labelmates including Big Thief and The Mynabirds. Chura’s pop instincts are strong and her songwriting is highly confessional. If the year was still 1997 instead of 2019, she could have easily secured a decent spot at Lilith Fair. Every track on this album is fantastic, but if you’re just looking for a brief introduction, go with “All I Do is Lie”, “Degrees”, “Jumpin’ Jack”, and “Sweet Sweet Midnight”, which features guest vocals from album producer, Will Toledo, of Car Seat Headrest fame.
Bill Callahan
Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest
One of 2019’s most engrossing listens, Bill Callahan’s waited five years since Have Fun With God to bring his next record Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest to fruition. The famously fame bucking songwriter, seemed to finally find some comfort in life and his art.
Divino Niño
Foam
Central to Divinio Niño’s sound are their three vocals layering and weaving around one other. These Latino lads have been playing their signature soulful, dreamy sound and inspiring love and devotion around Chicago for several years, but Foam really shows off these guys’ ability to craft a great pop tune. Give this album a spin, but be ready to swoon.
Lincoln Hall, January 10, 2020 $15
Kate Tempest
The Book Of Traps And Lessons
One of the few artists that didn’t make an appearance in Chicago this year that truly deserves attention is London based poet/playwright/musician Kate Tempest, whose latest project The Book Of Traps And Lessons is inspiring, harrowing, and downright mystical. This is twenty first century art in essence.
Divino Niño / Bunny / Girl K / Valebol
Empty Bottle
This sold out album release show for their sophomore album, Foam, propelled Divino Niño into hometown indie stardom. Going on in 2019 to support Crumb and now preparing for a hometown headlining show at Lincoln Hall in January. Expanding the band from just their four piece, they used members of Valebol: Vivian McConnell and Daniel Vallerreal-Carrillo, to pull double duty after the new group performed for the first time, to flush out the sound. Girl K and Bunny keep building their name in the Chicago scene and are always a nice addition to any bill that they play on.
-Mark Morrissey
Trey Gruber
Herculean House Of Cards
A posthumous collection of Chicago musician Trey Gruber’s recorded solo catalog that is at once insightful and heartbreaking. Herculean House Of Cards deserves far more attention than what it received as a document of an artist approaching the edge.
Plastic Crimewave Syndicate
Massacre Of The Celestials
Chicago’s flourishing Psych scene has always been buoyed for years by the projects of Steven Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) whose fuzzed out guitar antics are well on display on deep concept dive Massacre Of The Celestials.
Sun Cop
The Levee
Chicago producer, R. Andrew Humphrey brings along some of his buddies for the local scene to collaborate with him on The Levee. Mixing rock with electronic creating a unique blend for his third album as Sun Cop. If you’re already in the studio working, might as well take some time to work on your own music and continue to bolster your name in the music industry. The title track “The Levee” was a favorite from this piece of work along with “Give us what we want.”
Imelda Marcos
Tatlo
“No way two guys can make that sound” said anyone who has ever run across Imelda Marcos, and on the tantalizing Tatlo they deliver a dizzying array of mind melting tunes.
Atmosphere
Mi Vida Local
October 5th
Atmosphere was a timely discovery for me in my late college years as I attempted to perfect independence and learned how the world actually operates. But I didn’t seem him live until Riot Fest earlier this year. KPL wrote earlier this year that his show was affected by the fans who posted up early for Coheed and Cambria who were slated behind him. His Riot Fest set may have confused my long standing expectations, but then he released Mi Vida Local. His rhymes have a way of simultaneously motivating and validating me, keeping my mind sharp and open. With killer guitar chords to boot!
-LPL
****
Telethon
Hard Pop
From up in Wisco, or “Southern Canada” as we Chicagoans with a sense of humor refer to our northern brothers. comes the sweeping pop rock extravaganza of Telethon. With Hard Pop they produced the catchiest record of the year. No one who hears it will ever be able to get it out of their head.
Black Midi
Schlagenheim
Schlagenheim is the debut album from the London math/noise rock band Black Midi and has definitely been among my favorite debuts this year. This record contains just the right balance of math rock, jazz, post-hardcore, and noise rock bringing to mind groundbreaking acts like King Crimson, Slint, Dismemberment Plan, and The Mars Volta. Black Midi’s technical skills are off the charts- every member is a virtuoso of their instrument, especially drummer Morgan Simpson, and I can’t even begin to describe the complexity of the time signatures. Give “953”, “Near DT, MI”, and “Reggae” a spin!
Spirits Having Fun
Auto-Portrait
Math rock in its purest form Spirits Having Fun take on every and all time signatures, rhythms, and ways to interpret rock on their extremely solid debut Auto-Portrait.
Resavoir
Resavoir
A revelatory debut from this young jazz collective headed by Will Miller, who came up playing with too many local and touring musicians to name here but notably Whitney, Chance, and Saba. Resavoir is Miller’s foray into jazz composition and this self-titled debut is one of the best jazz records out of Chicago in years.
Car Seat Headrest
Commit Yourself Completely
I will admit it. I didn't get Car Seat Headrest. Then I heard this album and what had seemed like simple quiet songs became huge and complex. Commit Yourself Completely showcases the mastery of songwriting by central figure and vocalist, Will Toledo. He uses his voice with discretion, perfectly grunge, gravely, and full of character. He gives the music the exact right amount of energy, using dynamics to perfect effect. The wry sense of humor in his lyrics cuts through in these recordings. The building, the movements, the arrangement.
I never would have seen him in person if it wasn't for this album. Which really is something to behold. But until he comes back through town, this record can suffice.