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Neil Young’s ‘Psychedelic Pill’ tough to swallow

THOMAS CONNER: Teamed again with Crazy Horse, the 66-year-old rocker generates just a few brilliant moments on his longest album ever. Plus: reviews of Paul Banks and Cajmere.

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No Means No: Noel Gallagher will never, ever revisit Oasis. Period.

THOMAS CONNER: “To re-form it, how could it be as good?,” says the former Oasis guitarist, coming to Hammond with his new band High Flying Birds.

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Aerosmith’s ‘Dimension’ is big but not bold

Aerosmith, “Music From Another Dimension” (Columbia) ★★ The last several years have been a volatile soap opera for Aerosmith: Singer Steven Tyler fell off a stage in ’09, allegedly left the band, went...

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Can we have ‘Let’s Stay Together’ and ‘Don’t Stop’ back now?

THOMAS CONNER: 5 songs — from Stevie Wonder, ELO and others — that need to be freed from co-opting by political campaigns.

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Brad Elvis and his ‘under-the-radar’ Handcuffs relish their success

THOMAS CONNER: Always the opening act, veteran Chicago rocker Brad Elvis of Screams, the Elvis Brothers and Big Hello now is performing with his wife in the pop-glam duo the Handcuffs.

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One Direction attempts to take a left turn on new album

THOMAS CONNER: Even though the songs on One Direction’s “Take Me Home” have been overly constructed, they’re occasionally peppy and fun and at least imagine themselves to be more rock ’n’ roll than...

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Individuals, not genre, are the focus in ‘Metalocalypse’

THOMAS CONNER: The animated TV series “Metalocalypse,” which will be celebrated at an Aragon concert this weekend, is not about heavy metal. But Brendon Small, the show’s creative force, reminds us...

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El Vez blends music, politics, hot pants — and the holiday spirit

THOMAS CONNER: If the Elvis satirist’s twisted take on Christmas doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of other promising yuletide concerts ahead.

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Ex-Pumpkins guitarist James Iha back with first solo disc in 14 years

THOMAS CONNER: James Iha, former guitarist for the Smashing Pumpkins, just released his second solo effort, “Look to the Sky”; his first was 14 years ago. Ahead of an intimate Schubas show on Tuesday...

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Year’s best Christmas album isn’t from Lady Antebellum, Scotty McCreery

THOMAS CONNER: Tracey Thorn of Everything But the Girl finds just the right mood for her new carols, and other good tidings come from Sufjan Stevens and (really) Rod Stewart.

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Mixes of holiday songs bring you the best of many worlds

Christmas mixes — not to be confused with hip-hop’s now-branded “mixtapes” — are the last bastion of compilation cool. Be they digital playlists, burned CDs or (bless your lil’ hearts) an actual...

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Kanye West, Jay-Z, Mumford & Sons among top Grammy contenders

THOMAS CONNER: The highly diverse list of nominees reflects a singles-driven, online-dominated music market, and a corresponding younger and more diverse talent pool.

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Rolling Stones mark 50 years with time very much on their side

THOMAS CONNER: In a way, refusing to retire is one last act of rebellion by rock’s eternal bad boys.

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Grammy snubs no sweat — Bieber, PSY have no reason to fret

This year’s annual B96 (96.3-FM) Jingle Bash concert features a couple of notable losers. Nominations for the Grammy Awards came in last week, and the list failed to include two of pop music’s biggest...

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Chief Keef debut no great leap forward for hip-hop

THOMAS CONNER: Unless Keef ups his game at the mike after “Finally Rich,” the rapper runs a greater risk of being just a flash in the pan.

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Auld Lang … ROCK! New Year’s Eve offers concerts galore

Chicago’s a great New Year’s Eve town — for music. So many great bands call this city home, and when they come home for the holidays they book a hometown hootenanny. Others come for the champagne and...

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10 best albums of 2012 by Chicago artists

The year saw dozens of great records by Chicago artists, from local indies to big household names. Here are my picks for the cream of 2012’s bumper crop: 1. Sea & Cake, “Runner” (Thrill Jockey)...

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The 10 best albums of 2012, led by Frank Ocean’s visionary R&B

THOMAS CONNER: Tame Impala and Fiona Apple also made the list in a year rich with musical diversity.

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