Why surround yourself with the toxic levels of pretentiousness emitting from Union Park this weekend when Kidz Bop offers a slightly more musically indoctrinating alternative? Hear some your least favorite songs of the last ten years—winners like Linkin Park’s “In the End” and LFO’s “Summer Girls”—get even further mangled and over-processed as they are cheerfully sang by a generic, watered-down teenage band with dozens of kid backup singers (silly choreographed dance moves? You better believe it!). And hey, even indie rockers aren’t safe! Modest Mouse’s “Float On” and Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out” have both been covered with hilarious, often mind-numbingly ironic outcomes. Of course, all selections are rewritten to censor any mentions of sex, drugs, death, true love, liberalism, etc., and one thing is certain: it’s much more funny than disturbing to watch hundreds of 6-year-olds sing along to Shop Boyz’ “Party Like a Rockstar,” probably years away from knowing the original song was actually about “hoes” and “bitches.” (Andy Seifert)
Solo Survivor: James Swanberg Navigates the Live Music Shutdown “The responsibility of having a drummer or a bassist would really stress me out,” says Swanberg. “My stress level compared to a traditional band, is a lot smaller, and I’m fortunate for that.”
Cool Aid: A Review of Situation Chicago 2 The album does an outstanding job of bringing home the staggering sonic and stylistic range we deny ourselves when we return too often to the same genre well.
