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rockford illinois entertainment guide

2007 Articles

10/17/2007

In Times Like These

Recorded live with a symphony orchestra (the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra), this is the latest disc from Arlo Guthrie and it might well be his best. > More

10/06/2007

The Shadow Out of Tim

There’s really something great about music that can be both everyday listening and specially suited for getting you in the Halloween spirit – such is The Shadow Out of Tim. > More

10/04/2007

Shadow of the Raven

If you want some great music to get you in the mood for Halloween, Nox Arcana’s latest disc (combining music with the works of Edgar Allan Poe – how can you go wrong) is just about perfect. > More

10/03/2007

Training Day - The Mix Tape Volume II

There’s a phenomenon in music known as the sophomore jinx which says that usually a group’s second release doesn’t stand up to their debut. The Bridge shows that the jinx doesn’t apply to them. > More

08/06/2007

Seedig Bale

Quick – name off your five favorite Taiwanese bands! OK, so you might not have heard of any bands from Taiwan – until now that is. > More

08/06/2007

Freak 'N' Roll - Into the Fog

So, you’ve seen that The Black Crowes are coming to On The Waterfront and want a preview, then this live album is exactly what you need. > More

06/12/2007

Someone Else's Eyes

In the modern era of "oh so perfect" recordings, we've forgotten the raw charm that is a disc with a little bit of an unfinished or "rough around the edges" production value. > More

05/29/2007

The Way To Get Around It

It seems like so many CD's these days feel like just a collection of variants on the same song over and over again. > More

05/29/2007

Frost of Watermelon

How often do you get to see an international music act in a club in Rockford? > More

04/23/2007

External Affairs

Ligion will be coming to Rockford next month, playing Elixur along with Soil and Seemless. > More

03/30/2007

GeezUs

I have to say that I am amazed at the amount of great hip hop coming out of the Rockford area. > More

03/24/2007

Ab-Dul

How many of you were out there going to shows in the 1970's? Well, if your hand is raised you might remember Pentwater. These guys played the Rockford area quite a few times in their original incarnation - remember the old Great Illinois Purchase? After an exceptionally long hiatus this Chicago area progressive rock band has released their new CD Ab-Dul, and it is an awesome return to form. > More

02/18/2007

Whitewater

California Guitar Trio are frequent visitors to the Rockford area and with their imminent return on March 10th, it seems a great time to have a look at their latest studio effort. While it has been a few years since Whitewater was released, the album still holds up wonderfully. It manages to encompass the scope and breadth of the type of music the band consistently produce, while still holding up as an extremely entertaining disc. > More

02/08/2007

The Chosen Few

For those who say that nothing cool comes out of Rockford, I have to call you to the table and firmly disagree. There is some really interesting music being created in the greater Rockford area. A lot is coming from metal bands like Southview, goth outfits like Reverend Agony and the "what is this really" category like The Heavils, but (as Judah The Lyrical Rev and now The Bridge have shown), hip hop is alive and thriving in the area. > More

02/01/2007

All Dressed Up

First Round Failure is a band with local ties. Matt McGrath (guitar and vocals) is a Rockford resident. The rest of the band hails from the Chicago suburbs, but as you might guess they are frequently featured on Rockford stages. They released this, their first CD in October and it provides a fine example of the group's blend of emo and pop into a sound that is all their own - but still maintains an air of familiarity. > More

01/26/2007

These Days

Vince Gill is coming to the Rockford Metro Centre in February and that would seem to be as good a reason as any to have a look at his latest release - These Days. Whether you like country music or not there should be things on this package to enjoy. Without question you have to respect the man, his music and his passion for his art. > More