Email Author Jordan Oakes

1999 Stories by Jordan Oakes

• Critical Mass

  published December 29, 1999

  As anyone who's read Nick Hornby's High Fidelity knows, music critics -- especially that species known as Criticus hiparawkasauraus... More >>

• BEAUTY IN THE BEEST

  published December 22, 1999

  Tim Rose's middle name might as well be Danger. While in Kiev, working as the creative director for an ad agency, the songwriter of Sun Sawed... More >>

• VELVET CRUSH

  published December 15, 1999

  In contrast to the iconic hippie van of the '60s, power pop brought back the convertible, as if to pick up its date in music history. It saw the... More >>

• Sloan

  published November 10, 1999

  It's not surprising that Sloan, who serve classic-pop sources -- Badfinger, Big Star and the Raspberries -- through a fraternity beer keg,... More >>

• HUGO MONTENEGRO AND HIS ORCHESTRA

  published October 20, 1999

  The hanging-by-a-string lounge revival, which ground into a swing rut, merely hinted at a world of great undiscovered music. Those who stopped at... More >>

• Hang Ups

  published October 20, 1999

  The Hang Ups have made a string of overlooked albums that carry on the baroque neurotica of the dB's, and, like the best modern pop, the Hang Ups'... More >>

• PETE HAM

  published September 22, 1999

  The core of Badfinger's bittersweet apple, Pete Ham wrote the group's hits — radio classics such as "Day After Day," "Baby Blue" and " "No... More >>

• THE NAME GAME

  published September 8, 1999

  Pat Oldani is such a charismatic self-promoter that he often seems like rock & roll's answer to that guy with the question-mark jacket who... More >>

• TOUCH TONES

  published August 18, 1999

  With their intriguing name, you might think Fingerpaint Diary is smudged with references. "The name was just kind of thrown out," says... More >>

• THE INN CROWD

  published August 11, 1999

  Rustic and full of daring couplets, Hotel Faux Pas could be the Coral Courts on acid. But the late motel (and Route 66 landmark) had more to do... More >>

• K's Choice

  published August 11, 1999

  Will the real K's Choice please stand up? It's not as though this Belgian group wears stylistic disguises, but their moodiness takes the listener... More >>

• TRADE SECRETS

  published August 4, 1999

  When Mark Carter examines a used CD, he does so with the flaw-detecting acumen of a jeweler. His thumb and forefinger clasp the disc's rim, and he... More >>

• Black Magic

  published June 30, 1999

  Rock bands get off on the past. They're living in the same head space as their influences -- just rearranging the furniture. The Pixies threw the... More >>

• Close Quarters

  published June 30, 1999

  Lately, life has gone digital. The boom of the bass could be your own stressed heartbeat. It's into that mire of overcrowding, social isolation... More >>

• Sound Checks

  published May 19, 1999

  The Old 97s Friday, May 21; Duck Room In the liner notes to Fight Songs, the new record by the Old 97s, among the countless credits and... More >>

• Sound Checks

  published May 5, 1999

  Trey Anastasio Friday, May 7; American Theatre What to do if you're a Phish phanatic and can't wait for the group's summer tour,... More >>

• Blondie on Blondie

  published April 21, 1999

  Band reunions are a (rock &) roll of the dice. Aside from the occasional Fleetwood Mac indulgence, the practice seems less about starving for... More >>

• Listening Post

  published April 7, 1999

  CIRCUS CHA-CHA: The struggles musicians face when trying to start a band in this town are monumental. "Trying to find a tuba player," says Matthew... More >>

• Speaking Frehley

  published March 24, 1999

  His name is Scott McClusky. But you can call him Ace -- that is, with the understanding that "I'm not trying to be the new Ace Frehley, the guy... More >>

• Local Time

  published March 10, 1999

  TORCH SONGS: The science fiction of music, electronica, may still be an underground phenomenon locally, but nationally and internationally it's... More >>

• Listening Post

  published March 10, 1999

  A LITTLE LOVIN': Is there any song as alluring as Dusty Springfield's version of "Just a Little Lovin'"? With a smoky, sleepy tone, she sings of... More >>

• French Fried

  published March 10, 1999

  VARIOUS ARTISTS Respect Is Burning, Volume 2 (Astralwerks) Why is it that most people, even music lovers, in this... More >>

• Wandering Stars

  published January 20, 1999

  The snow has turned St. Louis as white as Dick Clark's teeth. The sidewalks are glazed -- virtually unwalkable -- and cars are like roller skates... More >>

• Last Laugh

  published January 13, 1999

  Mr. Show doesn't have a first name. That's OK; its irreverence demands respect. Behind the program's ambiguous, satirical title is comedy growing... More >>

• 1998: The Year in Music, Part 2

  published January 6, 1999

  Steve Pick The best albums I heard this year held true to the eternal verities of melody and song form. I list them in alphabetical order... More >>