| CHICAGO TRIBUNE 12/10/1999 Scene check - The best new music from Chicago's independent artists. (Lead-Off Review w/ big picture) In a local music scene brimming with independent and self-released discs, here are some of the best in recent months: BUSKER SOUNDCHECK Welcome to Buskerland (self-released) In the land of bands who put the roar in power pop (Cheap Trick, Local H, Material Issue), this long-time trio more than measures up. Solid melodies provide the foundation, but the Buskers don't stop there. They add middle eight detours, dense vocal harmonies and revved up guitars, shooting them through tight, twisting roller-coaster arrangements that delight in their density and daring. For all the classic references - the back cover finds a headphoned youth sitting amid a pile of album jackets ala Bob Dylan's' "Bringing It All Back Home" - this music never feels nostalgic. Whether improbably building a poignant tune out of the word "Hippopotamus" or hanging on for dear life in "Cyberhigh," Busker Soundcheck smash walls with their exuberance. (www.buskersoundcheck.com, or PO Box 577190 Chicago IL 60657). Greg Kot playon Hear Greg Kot on "Sound Opinions" at 10 p.m. every Tuesday on WXRT (93-1 FM) Chicago Sun-Times LOCALBANDS MAKE TRACKS January 21, 2000 by Jim DeRogatis POP MUSIC CRITIC Time once again to dip into the always-brimming bin of local releases. BUSKER SOUNDCHECK THE READER 12/17/1999 SPOTCHECK (Lead-Off Review) BUSKER SOUNDCHECK 12/17, DOUBLE DOOR For their annual holiday show, this midwest alt-rock juggernaut will good-naturedly demolish traditional tunes as well as Christmas "classics" by the Beach Boys, the Andrews Sisters, and the Kinks. Monika Kendrick |
DAILY HERALD Friday
January 7, 2000 Chicago's Rock Royalty - Best of 1999 by Mark Guarino - Music Critic BUSKER SOUNDCHECK Welcome To Buskerland (self-released) If Cheap Trick’s baton should ever be passed to a younger band, Busker Soundcheck would be an apt choice. The longtime Chicago trio deserves more of a national reputation than it has. Unlike most of their peers dabbling in combustible rock, Busker’s songs are more sophisticated and their musicianship is clearly top-notch. The band’s latest album kicks off with a winner, “Come On Around,” an instantly likeable and warm pop song that also shows what Busker excels at: mid-song tempo changes, Beatles harmonizing and frightfully intense guitarwork. Drummer Dan Sopher and guitarist Paul Kamp trade vocals and both are finessed singers. Including drummer (sic. Bassist) Chris Klein, Busker’s songs never ape another. The many textured “Ray’s Song” is a moving nod to a long-past friend and “Kansas City” is a romantic memory, blushing with piano. But the band’s more firebrand moments make a deeper impression like “It’s 3,” a simple but direct celebration of bubble gum pop, and “Fire At The Coachhouse” a snarling blast of guitar dirt. But the title song, “Welcome To Buskerland,” might be the band’s finest calling card. Featuring Kamp’s unrelenting but glorious guitarwork and some intense mood changes, it’s great dumb fun. ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER Dec. 1999 (Reviewed in major releases section, big picture) BUSKER SOUNDCHECK Welcome to Buskerland (Independently Released) Since 'busker" is defined as a street musician, Busker Soundcheck might consider finding a new moniker to reflect its growing expertise in the recording studio. The Chicago trio's 11-song Welcome To Buskerland strikes a balance between straight-ahead rock and more elaborate material. While not a masterpiece, the album should at least put a few extra coins in the band members' pockets. It definitely helps having two strong vocalists in drummer Dan Sopher and guitarist Paul Kamp, who take turns singing lead throughout the album. (Bassist Chris Klein pitches in on back-up vocals.) "Come On Around" is a natural hit single that showcases the band's harmonies as well as a catchy melody. The title track and "Fire At The Coachhouse" rock much harder while retaining the band's emphasis on strong vocals. "Ray's Song" tastefully honors the memory of a lost friend, using a simple but beautiful acoustic arrangement. "Missing Link" likewise evokes a sense of loss with a slow, pretty melody that evolves into a heavier, guitar-based jam. "Hippopotamus" finds Busker stretching out in a more whirnsical vein, augmented by acoustic guitar and layered vocals. "Manna," with its biblical references and tempo shifts serves as the album's most ambitious track. Busker Soundcheck comes charging back with the overpowering guitar assault of "Cyberhigh." It's a slam-bang finish for an album filled with musical highlights. Terrence Flamm |
| This is a transcript of
a radio talk show hosted by two Chicago music critics. A little long but
a good read if you're into the Busker. Sound Opinions - Music Critic Talk Show
on WXRT 1/3/2000 (Best of 1999) GK: Yeah, I’m going to talk about a band called
Busker Soundcheck that’s been around for a number of years. These guys go
back to the days of the infamous Midwest Music Conference. I remember them
guys playing showcase gigs in the early 90’s here on that, God-forsaken festival,
but one of the most impressive bands back then and they had major label scouts
sniffing around ‘em back then. And to my mind I don’t really understand why
this band has not been cherry picked by somebody down the line because I think
they’ve been making very impressive records. I think, for my money, their
guitar player Paul Kamp is one of the most accomplished guitar players in
the area, certainly in the entire Midwest. And they also come from this really
solid Midwestern tradition of making powerpop records, and right down the
line, Shoes, Cheap Trick, Material Issue, Green, they really fall into that
tradition of making really solid, melodic, powerpop records. You know, strong
middle 8’s, harmony vocals, solid arrangement ideas, and sophisticated production
by any standard. Again a self-released record, this new one’s called “Welcome
To Buskerland” *play “Come On Around” from Welcome To Buskerland GK: Busker Soundcheck carrying on the powerpop
tradition, carrying that torch… *end of program, play “Ray’s
Song” (JD: One of my favorites…) from Welcome To Buskerland (ML
is Mary Lennartz) |