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Written by Gregg Shapiro
Jun 16, 2011
Ralph Covert & The Bad Examples
Rise Against
Lee DeWyze plays Turner Hall in Milwaukee on June 24.
Ralph Covert and The Bad Examples
Before becoming a musical savior to a generation of hip moms and their kids under the Ralph’s World moniker, Ralph Covert rocked the city and suburbs as a member of The Bad Examples. “Smash Record” (Waterdog), the first new Bad Examples studio album in more than a decade, is sure to make a lot of people happy. The album has plenty to offer the band’s devoted following, including smashing tracks such as “Kill Amanda,” “You Don’t Understand Me,” “Your Ex-Girlfriend,” “Your Problem Now” and “Gets All Messy.”
Rise Against
John Steinbeck-quoting, politically minded hardcore punk revivalists Rise Against continue to make message music for disenfranchised suburban kids on “Endgame” (DGC). The track “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” finds them following in the footsteps of fellow hard rockers Thursday and taking a stand against homophobia. Said to be inspired by the tragic events surrounding the suicide of gay Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, the song closes with a reading of victims’ names, including 17-year-old Cody J. Barker of Shiocton, Wis. Kudos to the band for this song. Perhaps it will inspire other bands to do the same and work to change the hearts of their less gay-friendly followers.
Lee DeWyze
Does “American Idol” champ Lee DeWyze want to be a bland, second-rate John Mayer? Because that’s pretty much what he sounds like on “Live It Up” (19/RCA), his post-AI-win, major-label debut. It’s ironic that a disc this lifeless should be titled “Live It Up.” If ever there was an argument for the end of that ridiculous TV competition show, it’s this unfortunate recording and its songwriting-by-committee compositions. Dewyze’s “Live It Up” shows what happens when you let the Fox-watching American public decide who gets a recording contract.
Jennifer Hudson
Luckily for Jennifer Hudson, she never won “American Idol.” She has to console herself with an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a Grammy and various other awards. Even better, she returns with “I Remember Me” (Arista), a second album that practically puts her debut disc to shame with its combination of better material and Hudson’s continuing maturation as a performer. Opening tracks “No One Gonna Love You” and “I Got This” do a good job of setting the tone, which radiates confidence. Modern R&B artists Alicia Keys and R. Kelly contribute the songs “Angel” and “Where You At,” which Hudson inhabits fully and fabulously. Two more Keys’ compositions, “Everybody Needs Love” and “Don’t Look Down” are the kind of dance tracks that guarantee Hudson will fill dance-floors in gay clubs throughout the summer. Hudson’s reading of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s “Feeling Good,” familiar to many from her Weight Watchers spots, is heard in its entirety and does Nina Simone proud. With “I Remember Me,” Jennifer Hudson is at her most unforgettable.
L’Altra
Exemplifying the artier side of Chicago’s music scene, post-rock act L’Altra makes beautiful and complex music on “Telepathic” (Acuarela). That’s not meant to scare listeners away, because songs such as “Nothing Can Tear It Apart,” “Big Air Kiss,” “When the Ship Sinks Make It Sing” and the title number are accessible and enjoyable.
Gold Motel
“Summer House” (goldmotel.com) is a good name for the sunny yet stormy debut disc by Gold Motel. The 10 songs play like the musical equivalent of Chicago’s unpredictable (and all too brief) summer season. Standout tracks include the title cut, “Perfect in My Mind,” “Stealing the Moonlight” and the wonderful “Make Me Stay.”
The 1900s
It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that Gold Motel considers their fellow Chicagoans, the multi-member, mixed-gender group The 1900s, to be an influence. And they could do worse. “Return of the Century” (Parasol), The 1900s’ delicious second full-length CD, is a joy to hear, a near-perfect pop record with songs that get better with every listen. That is especially true of “Lay a Ghost,” “Tucson,” “Babies” and “Amulet.”
