B-side/rarities compilations can be a tricky thing. There's a reason the songs ultimately didn't make the final cut of any LP but at the same time, an artist has an opportunity to get music out that hasn't been heard before, providing a nice complement to an artist's discography. Still, it's a fine line to walk: the compilation can be either a tedious exercise in lackluster material or a fine addition to a catalog. Fortunately, Around the Well, the new two-disc compilation of previously unreleased songs from folk act Iron & Wine, is the latter. The album hits all the right notes, literally and figuratively, providing fans with a nice fill-in-the-gaps collection. more ›

Ah, late February in Chicago. Cubs tickets go on sale today, there's a forecast for a high temperature above 35 degrees next week, and thousands of indie rock kids around Chicago will soon be shedding their parkas for high-priced hoodies bought from Wicker Park boutiques (tip: ours cost us $12 at Target!) for several worthwhile shows around the Chicago area. Lots of tickets go on sale this weekend. So, despite this crappy weather, there is, in the words of Spoon, "something to look forward to." more ›