THE RAVEONETTES - LUST LUST LUST

It's funny because at first, I didn't really like The Raveonettes when their debut 'Whip It On' arrived in 2002. Something about this group just didn't click with me at the time, and perhaps it was just the over abundance of hipster hype that accompanied it (at a time when the term 'hipster' was just being coined, even!). But in retrospect it was a fine first record, and they really began to come into their own on their 2nd effort, 2003's 'The Chain Gang Of Love'.
I am a sucker for the signature mix of fuzzy guitar/white noise/50's & 60's pop arrangements made famous by The Jesus & Mary Chain, then revolutionized by My Bloody Valentine, and punctuated for (somewhat) mainstream consumption with Sonic Youth's 'Daydream Nation'.
The Raveonettes are now becoming experts at combining the aforementioned sounds with contemporary song structure and use of electronics, and I haven't been able to take this disc out of my car's player for about a week and a half.
Formed in their native Copenhagen out of their sheer disdain for the state of Denmark's music at the time, the male/female duo of The Raveonettes return to Chicago on March 18th @ The Double Door.

MIKE DOUGHTY - GOLDEN DELICIOUS

Despite a string of strong solo work, vocalist/guitarist Mike Doughty will likely be always remembered as the frontman of New York's post-grunge era avant-garde group Soul Coughing . When the band split in March 2000, Doughty (going by just M. Doughy at the time) wasted no time releasing his solo debut 'Skittish', an album that had actually been waiting on the shelf since 1995. 'Skittish' was an acoustic record, and the vocals had changed from the stream-of-consciousness poetry reciting of Soul Coughing, to the more regular verse-chorus-verse. It was a remarkable release, that was critically acclaimed and embraced by both Soul Coughing faithfuls plus a slew of new listeners.
This continued on with 2005's 'Haughty Melodic', which included a backing band, where 'Skittish' was nothing but Mike and his guitar.
Lyrically, he's still as clever as ever, but on 'Golden Delicious', full instrumentation is even more prevalent, as is a slicker, more pop sound.
While Soul Coughing purists might be getting off the train at this point, Doughty may, with this new direction, find the wider audience that he's always deserved.
He's an exquisite performer, so try to catch him March 20th at The Vic.

BELL X1 - FLOCK

If you're in need of some new sounds leading up to March 17th, Irish rock four-piece Bell X1 returns with their 3rd full-length, 'Flock'. The roots of this outfit date back to 1991 when they were known as Juniper. It was during those years when, with then-lead singer Damien Rice, they were being compared to other national favorites such as U2 and The Frames. On the eve of Juniper's debut release in '98, Rice bailed due to tensions between himself and his bandmates and record label (he went off to rural Italy to tend sheep and "rediscover himself" as a songwriter...I guess history proved that to be a good move!).
The remaining members regrouped, and Bell X1 was formed. Fans of David Gray, The Frames, and of course Damien Rice should be able to jump right into this stuff with the infectious hooks, witty and pensive lyrics, and just the right amount of that pop/rock Irish-ness, which sets Emerald Isle artists apart from their UK brethren.
This record is at last seeing a US release this week, after coming out in Ireland 3 years ago. There's also a good chance you might have heard their track "Eve, The Apple Of My Eye" from their 2004 release 'Music In Mouth', when it was the backing track to the "two girls kissing" scene on The O.C.. Join me for a St. Patty's hangover cure (or relapse) at the band's March 19th gig at Schuba's.

Happy listening!
cheers,
pogo