GooD HooD has released a new video for their track "Rock Steady". The track appears on their latest EP Liquid Assets.

It has been three years since the debut ep from Akasha, and this reggae filled band is ready to release their full-length album How They Move. The release show for the album will be on August 19th at Beat Kitchen and the diversity of that night’s line-up shows just how genre bending this band is. The line-up includes Doc’s Delorean, Vertikal, Mos Scocious, and Sidewalk Chalk.

If you drive south for a few hours to Champaign you with find the smooth and polished ‘70’s Am pop sounds of Elsinore. The band released their latest album Yes Yes Yes via Parasol last week. The band has been working on this album for the last two years and that meticulous approach shows in the details sounds of the album. Singer Ryan Groff crafts personal lyrics to float across these tracks calling to mind names like Ben Gibbard and Sufjan Stevens. The band uses his talents to perfect on this album.

Elsinore will be performing at Lincoln Hall on August 20th.

When Gia Margaret and Alain de Courtenay come together they call themselves Little Light. You can see them open for Matt Ryn on September 10th at Schubas.

There is nothing like a fur suit on a Monday morning. J+J+J is the latest addition to the Giant System TV catalog of live recordings.

Southside’s He.llsent is back with his second album, False Profit, which will be released on August 17th through Galapagos4. When asked about the themes on the album He.llsent had this to say, “The rap game is all about money and illusions. False Profit is a glimpse behind all the smoke and mirrors.” He doesn’t pull any punches, this album filled with fire, pride, and fierce beats. The beats on the album come mainly from Max, as well as contributions by Fifth Element, DJ Alo, and Loose Cannon. My favorite track from the album is “For The City”. It processes that fire, but leaves the listen with a positive message that it will be alright.

The release event for False Profit will take place on August 18th at Subterranean and feature He.llsent, Robust, Max, Mad C & Dallas Jackson.

The six track debut ep from Silhavey, Maru, is an eclectic mix of indie pop sounds. Ranging from more aggressive rock to horns, organs, and piano to near alt-country, the is surprisingly diverse. You can tell each band member brings their own set of influences and the group stirs it all together nicely. My favorite track on Maru has to be “Jungle”. The chorus is catchy and the instrumentation is fun. It really is a pure pop song. The track precedes the piano and organ on “Welcome” which is another sing-a-long party anthem.

Maru is a fine debut from an exciting young band. You can stream the ep on the bands website. The band will be performing at Elbo Room on August 22nd.

The Hood Internet and Kid Static have come together again to release a 7-inch on TTD/Whistler Records on Sept. 7th. The release show for the single will be on Sept. 11th at Lincoln Hall with Wallpaper. and DVAS.

This week Light Pollution appeared on My Old Kentucy Blog’s live music site LaundroMantinee. You can download the mp3’s from the session here.

Light Pollution performs at Schubas on August 25th with Casiokids.

It wasn’t that long ago that I had someone say to me that metal was dead in Chicago. I tend to believe that there are no dead genres in Chicago, but just people looking in the wrong or not looking closely enough. The latest album from Angel Eyes, Midwestern, is powerful in both sound and message. This album is a guttural call-to-arms in a declining economy with a Midwestern perspective. It’s album that can strike a chord with many Chicagoan with an emphasis on struggle, and way it often feels endless.

Sonically, the album is just as heavy as its message. This is a hardcore album, but Angel Eyes mixes is subtle cinematic and atmospheric elements. This blend keeps that listener guessing and engaged with the band continue to blow the audience away.

Angel Eyes will be performing at Quenchers on August 21st with Czar.

In anticipation of their album release show on Saturday, Aug. 14th, Secret Colours have released a beautiful cover of The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows”. The bands much anticipated self-titled debut can be streamed at their bandcamp site.

Secret Colours will perform at Beat Kitchen on August 14th with Panda Riot and Geronimo.

Thrill Jockey announced today that the new album from Sam Prekop (The Sea and Cake), Old Punch Card. The album will be released on September 7th, and it is Sam’s first solo record in five years. The album is inspired by early electronic music and avant-garde composition and is comprised entirely of modular synthesizers. There is only one instance of guitar and no vocals or beats.

Sam will be touring with Broken Social Scene this fall and will be playing at The Riviera on October 2nd.