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The CHIRP Blog
Jack Ryan writesAn EP For The End of the World
Despite what your mom and dad may say, there’s no such thing as the “good old days.” Life’s never been perfect. That being said, things in 2017 have definitely been crazier than usual.
When you flip on the news and see the daily doom and gloom report of potential nuclear war with North Korea, Nazis marching in the streets of American cities, President Trump’s bizarre behavior and climate change related destruction in the Caribbean and south American coast, even the most rational person would come to the conclusion that we were living in the end times.
With that being said, here are some songs that would make for a good EP as Rome burns to the ground…
1. “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire (Dunhill, 1965)
For a protest song from 1965, this track seems to be shockingly relevant to the world of today. Combining elements of Dylan-esque folk and the wall of sound from Phil Spector’s renowned “Wrecking Crew”, Barry McGuire’s heartfelt singing about Asia, the Middle East and racism in the USA sounds like he could be talking about ISIS or Kim Jong Un.
It also does a good job of chastising those who would rather ignore the world’s problems rather than work to solve them. The only noticeably dated lyric in “Eve of Destruction” would be the line “You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’,” since it was written before the passing of the 26th amendment.
Before then, under-21-year-olds who didn’t even have any political say where being drafted and sent to die in the jungles of Vietnam. Thank god that doesn’t happen anymore!
Jack Ryan writesAlbum Review: “Spitting Image” by The Strypes
Since they first left their rural birthplace of Cavan, Ireland earlier in this decade, the Strypes have had a lot going for them. Their work is consistently praised by the likes of rock royalty such as Jeff Beck, Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Lenny Kravitz and many others.
They’re gearing up to support Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher for UK dates on their solo tours, and most recently, they’re back with a third studio album Spitting Image, released last June. Although it’s their third studio album, it’s their second record out in the USA due to issues with their previous label that kept their second studio album Little Victories from being made available in America except on Import.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesTake Two: “It’s My Life” (Talk Talk Vs. No Doubt)
Funny how I find myself in love with you.
If I could buy my reasoning, I’d pay to lose.
One half won’t do.
I’ll ask myself, ‘How much do you commit yourself?’
It’s my life. Don’t you forget. It’s my life. It never ends.
The Original:
The title track from the 1984 album by New Wave band Talk Talk is a romantic declaration of personal insight set to an arrangement that features sweeping waves of synths washing over a jazz-tinged rhythm section. The pre-Animal Planet video for the song, which enjoyed heavy rotation on early MTV alternative music shows, uses a montage of wild creatures that, combined with the music, makes a connection between man and the world.
Video director Tim Pope wanted to make a statement against the rampant degree of lip-synching in music videos, so Lead singer Mark Hollis spends his time standing in a zoo, silent and immobile except for the animated squiggly lines dancing across his face. The images, music, and Hollis’ and Tim Friese-Greene impressionistic lyrics combine to create an effect that’s contemplative as well as pop-oriented.
Sophie Holtzmann writesAlbum Review: The Eradicator (s/t)
T’was Friday the 13th and all through Chicago, punks eagerly awaited the cobwebby and spooky releases from every band with a Halloween fascination. But now that “Release Christmas” has passed, it’s time to appreciate those that rose to the occasion. The Eradicator, a Chicago-based punk band, delivered a treat that spooky night, with a full length album in The Eradicator (self-titled), released through the label Stonewalled.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesClassic Album Sundays Presents “Is This It” by The Strokes on Oct. 22nd!
The next installment of Classic Album Sundays is happening this Sunday October 22nd at Saturday Audio Exchange (1021 W Belmont Avenue 60647). The listening party will feature the 2001 debut album from The Strokes, Is This It.
Hailed as a post-mellenial masterpiece that connects modern Rock to its 1970s garage band roots, the album appears on just about every list of the best albums of the 2000s. This is your chance to hear it on top-shelf audio equipment with a group of like-minded music lovers not just in Chicago, but around the world! Tickets are $5 in advance and can be purchased here.
