The band’s last effort, 2005’s vibrant and challenging Apologies to the Queen Mary, was a power piano-based exploration of 70’s pop rocks and Pixies-ish loud-soft dynamics - thrilling to music critics but virtually without hope of mainstream appeal. At Mount Zoomer neatly collects the gorgeous pop hook splinters and crafty chards of rock sensibility that Apologies left in its wake, packaging the whole thing in a fat, hanging curveball. You know, the kind that’s easy to hit out of the park.

MP3: Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual

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MP3: The Radio Dept.- Freddie and the Trojan Horse from as of now untitled EP (June 4th, Labrador)
Staying on the darker side of pop, Sweden’s The Radio Dept. mesh together keyboards, dreamy effects, and a drum machine. The exact political content of the song is likely lost on us Americans, but we can certainly relate to being fleeced.

MP3: The Submarines- You, Me, & The Bourgeoisie from Honeysuckle Weeks (Out now, Nettwerk Records)
If you’re a fan of Nip/Tuck, Grey’s Anatomy, or Weeds you might be familiar with this LA duo. Not sure if this number has made the television rounds. Upbeat pop with a catchy hook, tamborine, and warm, fuzzy guitars.

MP3: Oxford Collapse- Amongst Friends from
The Hann-Byrd EP (June 10th, Comedy Minus One) Jangly and at times angular guitars heighten the band’s latest shout-a-long. If you’re craving more, Oxford Collapse also have a brand new full length to follow later in the summer on Sub Pop.

MP3: Butcher The Bar- Leave This Town from Sleep At Your Own Speed (Out now, Morr Music)
Those bothered by highly affected vocal stylings need not right click this link. Fans of Elliot Smith should drag the file directly to their CD burner or MP3 player. Simple, graceful bedroom pop with plaintive strumming.

And now for this week¹s Smorgasbord Sundae Wafer…
MP3: Netherfriends- TAC TAC from Feathers and Dots 7″ (Summer 2008 Black and Greene Records)
Experimental pop of the ultra hip Man Man variety. These kids like to play music with weird shit. Don’t let that turn you off. GIve ‘em a chance. Beneath the guise, this local trio can write a solid tune. Log in to your MySpace account and download TAC TAC. You can catch them tomorrow, May 15th at Beat Kitchen.

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Many of the folks I know who would be personally and professionally affected if this thing had passed were planning to  attend the meeting tomorrow, a fact that couldn’t have been lost on officials - Time Out Chicago got a great quote out of a rep from the city’s department of cultural affairs:

“Please spread the word the Promoters Ordinance has been pulled from City Council until further research. I guess a lot of musicians in clubs etc. responded quickly.”

Yes, I guess they did.

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The ordinance’s bottom line is admirable - to prevent a tragedy like the 2003 E2 nightclub disaster in which 21 people were killed in a stampede for the single, narrow exit when a fight broke out in the club. What the city fails to recognize (and which DeRogatis ably points out to Schulter) is that the ordinance makes no distinction between E2, a club that was cited for code violations on numerous occasions prior to the tragedy, and upstanding venues like Schubas, Martyr’s, the Metro, and the Hideout that have spent considerable time and money ensuring that their clubs meet or exceed all city safety codes. They are also all PPA (Public Place of Amusement) licensed and carry appropriate levels of insurance, making the similar requirements of promoters outlined in the proposed ordinance totally superfluous when the events are held in licensed venues.

What DeRo touches on but doesn’t flesh out is the fact that hosting parties under the shadow of this “promoter’s ordinance” is frighteningly similar to hosting keg parties in high school - it’s something people want to do, so they’ll find a way to do it - regardless of any laws governing them. Just like with teenagers, the potential for damage is lessened by making sure the kids are partying in a safe place - be it with parents there to take everyone’s keys and make sure no one gets hurt, or in a properly licensed and insured event venue.

So what can we do? The ordinance is set to go to a vote tomorrow, so get on the phone/email/fax to our city representatives TODAY. Tell ‘em we’re not about to lose our magazine/DIY/performance group/blog/band/non-profit/etc.-promoted events in Chicago.

Find your alderman here and call him or her, saying you support live music in our city and oppose the promoter’s ordinance. C’mon Daley, get it straight - if a venue has a PPA license, let the promoters off the hook.

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Jim DeRogatis has a nice summary of the nitty gritty in the Sun-Times, but the bottom line is this: gone are DIY punk shows. Gone are the heart string-tugging benefits concerts that give music fans the opportunity to, say, have Jeff Tweedy playing in their living rooms. Gone are the cool little shows thrown by fanzines or blogs, without the proliferation of some corporate agenda.

Lame, Chicago. So much for being such a music city.

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MP3: Head Like A Kite- No Ordinary Caveman from There is Loud Laughter Everywhere (June 17th, Mush)
Dave Elnmo uses found sounds and samples as the framework for his brand of pop rock. As a DJ Shadow enthusiast, the emphasis here is on beats and grooves. The inclusion of the local metropolitan transit announcement at the conclusion is a bit on the cliche side, but the track as a whole is hardly freshman material.

MP3: Joe Pug - Hymn 101 from Nation of Heat EP (May 13th, self-released)
We’ve waxed ecstatic about this young Chicago talent plenty in the past, but we caught his first major performance since completing his debut EP and were not disappointed in the kid’s casual confidence and breathtaking delivery of some heady, Americana-laced folk.

MP3: The Music Tapes - Majesty from Music Tapes For Clouds And Tornadoes (August 19th, Merge)
Julian Koster is probably bes known (and loved) for the atmospheric haunt that he brought to Neutral Milk Hotel, but his symphonic aural efforts with The Music Tapes have not gone stale in the nine years since the group’s last LP. We’re looking forward to August…

An now for this week’s Smörgåsbord Sundae Wafer…
Stream: Local H- 24 Hour Breakup Session from Twelve Angry Months (May 13th, Shout! Factory)
Chicago’s Local H has managed a healthy career since their debut album in 1995. With stints on major labels and several tracks breaking the Billboard charts, their power-grunge rockin’ never seems to go out of style with a somewhat rabid fanbase. The duo’s live shows are not to be missed, so if you’ve got a buddy with an extra ticket to Beat Kitchen later this week– buy them a beer or two to return the favor.

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Ah, Chicago…it’s been a while since you produced a great guitar rock band. Songwriters, alt country, hi hop - you’re covered there, but where is the rock?

Oh, hey - here it is! Enter The Interiors, a trio of slackers-come-serious students of rhythm’s effects on dissonant melody and self-searching counter melody. Next month they’ll release a self-titled debut LP on Michigan indie 54-50 or Fight, and interest in their fascinating brand of shoegaze, 60’s garage pop, and whiteboy reggae is on the verge of piquing. There’s certainly an element of circa-1995 UK guitar buzz and sprawl, but Chase Duncan’s propensity to counter his vocal melodies with sweeping, swirling lines almost literally lift you out of your seat. Bassist Collin Jordan drives much of The Interiors’ jaunty aesthetic, setting his Sting-esque parts skillfully against Duncan’s to create a cohesiveness that’s often missing from young, startup rock bands.

Bottom line: If the Police toured with Modest Mouse and The National and shared one bus, these are the kind of jam sessions that might result. Catch The Interiors next Tuesday, 5/13 at the Empty Bottle.

MP3: The Interiors - Power Lines

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Tokyo Police Club w/ Smoosh and Maps & Atlases at the Metro
Landon Pigg w/ IJ Quinn at Schubas
Rooney w/ Locksley at the House of Blues

Tuesday, May 6:

Megadeth w/ In Flames, Children of Bodom, Job for a Cowboy and High on Fire at the Aragon Ballroom

Wednesday, May 7:

Cut Copy w/ Black Kids and Mobius Band at the Abbey Pub
Robyn at Park West
Black Hollies w/ the Yolks and the Lusties at the Empty Bottle
Film School w/ Airiel and Urbanites at Schubas
Local H at the Beat Kitchen (also Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Rue Royale at Subterranean

Thursday, May 8:

Ministry w/ Meshuggah and Hemlock at the House of Blues (also Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Black Bear Combo w/ Johnny and the Limelights, Hidden Mitten and Cameron McGill at the Empty Bottle
Dolly Parton at the Chicago Theatre (also Friday)
Black Ghosts w/ Thunderheist at the Hideout

Friday, May 9:

Soulja Boy w/ Lloyd and Hurricane Chris at the Arie Crown Theater
Jim White at the Old Town School of Folk Music
M.I.A. w/ the Holy Fuck at the Aragon Ballroom
Devotchka w/ Basia Bulat at the Vic Theatre
Presidents of the United States of America at the Abbey Pub
The Kills w/ Telepathe at the Metro
Sybris at Subterranean
Singer w/ Detholtz and Cloudland Canyon at the Empty Bottle

Saturday, May 10:

Local H at the Beat Kitchen (also Sunday)
Russian Circles at Subterranean
Schaudenfraude w/ Yuri Lane and Blue Ribbon Glee Club at the Empty Bottle
Sunday Morning Chameleon w/ the Alarmists at the Metro
The Police w/ Elvis Costello & the Imposters at Allstate Arena
Crowded House at the Vic Theatre (also Sunday)
VHS or Beta w/ Tigercity at the Empty Bottle
Was Not Was w/ Todd Snider at the Abbey Pub

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Turns out ‘Langhorne Slim’ is the adopted moniker of one Sean Scolnick, a 27-year-old lifelong musician from - yep - Langhorne, PA. After cutting his teeth touring with the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, Slim assembled his band, The War Eagles, and put out an EP on V2 before that label folded. Fast forward through a new contract with hot shit indie Kemado Records to the recording and release of this first full-length and you have 13 incredibly smart, well written and well played songs that chronicle the perilous bridge to adulthood that we call “the mid-twenties.” Slim’s often ragged vocals are endearing and authentic, reminding the listener of just how confusing it is to navigate the waters of love, life’s purpose, friendships, spirituality, and personal relationships…when you’re not quite all grown up. Oh yeah, and he does it all with a band that sounds as devoted to the roots of rocknroll as the another young band called the Rolling Stones did some forty years ago.

Standouts are the rollicking “Rebel Side of Heaven,” which explores the possibility that heaven and hell are the different sides of the same place over a bouncing blues-rock melody, and the dichotomized “She’s Gone,” which pairs a howling but totally hum-worthy lament of lost love over and upbeat, frantic rocker. The touching, sweet piano melody and softly delivered lyrics of “Worries” show that the kid isn’t afraid to explore the kinds of insecurities that spring up on both sides of a new relationship, and the lovely refrain of losing yourself in another person is the backbone of the pop-perfect “Colette.”

Bottom line: give Langhorne Slim a spin - you’ll find a charged, tight, bluesy folk-rock record on the surface, but underneath lies a poignant, thoughtful, lasting work from an artist with a lifetime of material buried in his young chest.

MP3: Langhorne Slim - She’s Gone

MP3: Langhorne Slim - Colette

Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles play Schubas in Chicago on May 28 with The Builders & The Butchers

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MP3: Wolf Parade- Call it a Ritual from At Mount Zoomer (June 17th, Sub Pop)
The casual listener will likely not notice much difference between this new song and the band’s previous efforts. This is not intended as criticism, as their previous full length Apologies to the Queen Mary remains in our regular rotation. Perhaps a bit more deliberate and brooding, we’re looking forward to hearing more from these indie rockers.

MP3: CSS- Rat Is Dead (Rage) from Donkey (July 22nd, Sub Pop)
More guitars and not likely to be used in an Apple ad near you. CSS is back. We can’t speak for the entire album, but this song is admittedly more up our alley sans their typical electronic gimmicks.

MP3: Tr Plus Tr- Making Gold from Rumble (Out now, Tarazat Records)
Straight out of Toronto. Slowed down, dark electro pop that draws comparisons to The Cure and a less ambient M83.

MP3: The Futureheads- The Beginning of the Twist (Atephoald Vs The Futureheads) (Out now, RCRD LBL)
This remix predates the release of the next album by The Futureheads titled This Is Not The World. Keeping the original emphasis of the track on vocals and beats, Atephoald ups the audiophile interest per se.

MP3: Nik Freitas- Sun Down from Sun Down (May 6th, Team Love)
The Bright Eyes fav preps his Team Love debut. Delightfully simple folk pop in the vein of Paul Simon.

And now for this week’s Smorgasbord Sundae Wafer…

Stream: The Narrator- So the End (Out now, self released)
As was previously mentioned, Chicago’s The Narrator will be performing Saturday at Empty Bottle with fellow locals Joan of Arc and Tight Phantomz. It’s a pretty killer line-up with guitar-infused rock to suit several different tastes. Unfortunately, this will be The Narrator’s swan song. While checking out this tongue-in-cheek farewell track, be sure to listen to the other tracks they have posted. Flameshovel has also got several songs available for download, but I’m sure the boys would love for you to catch up with their fine releases at the merch table.

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