n If you've got the winter blues and you can't beat 'em, here's a chance at least to join them. The River City Blues Club of Peoria, Bloomington's Blues Blowtorch Society, and our very own Illin...

Styrofoam Nothing's Lost (Morr Music) Guitars and computers have been cohabitating peacefully and profitably for years now. First there was New Order, then there was Radiohead, then there were ...

• It's one more chance for the Last Chance Blues Band, as the popular local group winds up the music box again. New members Rick Hardin, Larry Harness, and Lincoln Eades join original members, ...

Richard BucknerDents and Shells (Merge) A former acquaintance of mine -- pretty, intelligent, seemingly sane, and legally married -- used to be obsessed with Richard Buckner. She claimed tha...

• Prepare to rock as the band Low as I releases Shot Heard Around the World on Friday, Jan. 7. The band formerly known as Mindfold will be selling and signing the new CDs after an acoustic show ...

Beans Shock City Maverick (Warp) Two years after the demise of his trio Antipop Consortium, hip-hop iconoclast Beans is keeping busy. In 2003, the New York-based MC and producer released his...

Bettye Swann Bettye Swann Honest Jon's/Astralwerks You've probably never heard of Bettye Swann, which is sad for many reasons; on the bright side, though, it means you're in for a treat. Thanks...

n On New Year's Eve, Café Kanichi-Wa (1117 S. Grand Ave. E) presents, exclusively for your entertainment pleasure, a wild and ferocious battle of the bands pitting Springfield Shaky against Per...