Musical Shiny Objects

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 3, 2005 3:50PM

Chicagoist looks for any excuse to put off doing actual work. Unseasonal temps certainly fit the bill. So we're spending our day staring out the window and letting ourselves get distracted by:

The Sound Opinions move: Two of Chicago’s most influential music critics who aren’t writing for Pitchfork are taking their rock and roll talk show to Chicago Public Radio next month. Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot will begin broadcasting on WBEZ 91.5 on December 3rd with a time slot TBD. The move was prompted by the offer of more money to upgrade their recording facilities and to help the show go national through syndication and podcasting.

An interview with O.C. music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas: We know this isn’t a popular opinion but the Chicagoist music department thinks The O.C. is a show that’s better heard and not seen. We stopped watching Beverly Hills, 90210 for a reason, OK? But the music’s top-notch thanks to Patsavas, a former Chicagoan, who’s currently pimping The O.C. Mix 5. Worth reading for the inevitable High Fidelity discussion that ensues after she reveals that Wax Trax was her favorite record store.

The U2 United Center DVD: At first, we were wondering why anyone would record a show at the United Center thanks to its cavernous-tin-box sound. But the brief clips from this DVD—set for release next month—reveal good sound and no mention of third world debt so it might be worth a Netflix rental if you missed their sold out two-night stand here last May.

Tortoise covering Devo, Elton John, The Boss: Stereogum has a track listing and MP3 links to tracks from the upcoming Tortoise covers album, The Bold and the Brave. If you’re one of those people who likes covers to sound exactly the same as the original, don’t bother. But if you ever wondered what the big bottom of Tortoise could do with Springsteen then click away.