list.in.to.chicago this week: 10.13.2003

This is going to be short and sweet, as I'm on my way out the door for most of the week. Enjoy.

Pick of the week
Two great shows this week, with The Mars Volta on Tuesday at the Riv, and then a pair of Me'Shell Ndege'ocello shows over the weekend at House of Blues. Absolutely, positively can't go wrong with either.

list.in.to.COZ
I think I'm in town exactly two nights this week, so you're off the hook. There's an outside chance I'll try to hit Moxie on Thursday night, depending on how I've held up after two 14 hour drives in the space of a couple of days.

Recap
The Lindsie release party rocked mightily, and thanks to everyone who came out. Ivory Wire and Mighty Fine Machine both threw down for the occasion. Does anyone have a Les Paul they're not using?

10.13   monday
Simply Red with Joss Stone (House of Blues)
Ah, the big white soul of the 80s, with, if reports are to be believed, the big white soul of the 00s. I've heard some good things about Stone recently, which is what jumped out about this show.

10.14   tuesday
The Mars Volta with Saul Williams (Riviera Theatre)
As mentioned the last time they were in town, this is two of the guys from At The Drive-In indulging their prog rock tendencies. Epic songs, strange structures, urgent vocals and guitar tones that sound straight out of Robert Fripp's rig circa 1970, with a dose of Zeppelin thrown in for good measure.

10.15   wednesday
Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man (Metro)
Gibbons is the voice of Portishead, but that apparently wasn't enough of a draw, so now the add mentioned that the act also features members of Talk Talk. Yeah, I'm a little confused by that as well.

10.16   thursday
Sidewinders with Neverly Brothers (FitzGerald's, Berwyn)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Last time, the local rockabilliers (it's my list, I can make up words) were a late addition after somebody cancelled, so it's good to see them back on the schedule proper in the alt-country-ish bastion of the near western suburbs.

10.17   friday
Me'Shell Ndege'ocello with Soulive (House of Blues)
Ndege'ocello is putting out a jazz record soon after doing a guest spot on one from someone I can't think of right now. This is very, very good news. The jazz record, not my failing memory.

10.18   saturday
The Strokes with Kings of Leon (UIC Pavillion)
It's an open question whether the bratty throwback garage rock of the Strokes will work in a larger venue. It's also an open question whether they'll be able to follow the success of their debut record. So, what I'm saying is, there are a couple of open questions about these guys, before you even start talking about Drew Barrymore, who may or may not be dating someone in the band. Or is that Gwenyth Paltrow? 'Cause if Drew Barrymore were dating Gwentyth Paltrow...

Soulive with Me'Shell Ndege'ocello (House of Blues)
The House of Blues ad has the two acts flipped for this one, which is odd.

10.19   sunday
Sumo (Elbo Room)
Haven't given these guys a shout in a while, so there ya go. Improvised acid jazz from guys who have been at it for a long while. So, you know, they're good at it and stuff.