While the shock value of electro artist Peaches’ material feels a little stale at this point, she seems to only get more and more popular, as “I Feel Cream,” her newest record, was her highest-charting album in the U.S. to date. The overly sexual—some might even call perverted (gasp!)—lyrical content and themes puts the verbally exhibitionist songstress near the front of the post-Madonna, post-Manson assembly line, and over the years she’s crafted some decent records, from her debut to 2006’s “Impeach My Bush.” Single “Fuck the Pain Away” had enough spark to get jammed in listeners’ heads every once in a while and certainly was a gold mine for the dance-floor set. On “I Feel Cream,” Peaches grows up a bit, though don’t be scared, she isn’t quite Regina Spektor or anything. When she explores deeper territory, even when that depth is merely hinted at, eyebrows will raise. Who knew the output could be so mature? But when Peaches revolves back around to the explicit material, it feels too comfortable, too much of a safety net, and even worse, forced. “I Feel Cream” suffers because of it. Peaches probably has a handful of solid records still in her, if she could only find a way to make the cheery dirtiness sound less cheap. (Tom Lynch)
Peaches plays May 22 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 9pm. $20-$25.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
While the shock value of electro artist Peaches’ material feels a little stale at this point, she seems to only get more and more popular, as “I Feel Cream,” her newest record, was her highest-charting album in the U.S. to date. The overly sexual—some might even call perverted (gasp!)—lyrical content and themes puts the verbally exhibitionist songstress near the front of the post-Madonna, post-Manson assembly line, and over the years she’s crafted some decent records, from her debut to 2006’s “Impeach My Bush.” Single “Fuck the Pain Away” had enough spark to get jammed in listeners’ heads every once in a while and certainly was a gold mine for the dance-floor set. On “I Feel Cream,” Peaches grows up a bit, though don’t be scared, she isn’t quite Regina Spektor or anything. When she explores deeper territory, even when that depth is merely hinted at, eyebrows will raise. Who knew the output could be so mature? But when Peaches revolves back around to the explicit material, it feels too comfortable, too much of a safety net, and even worse, forced. “I Feel Cream” suffers because of it. Peaches probably has a handful of solid records still in her, if she could only find a way to make the cheery dirtiness sound less cheap. (Tom Lynch)
