Christine Amezquita Archive
Alkaline Trio / Cursive – Metro, Chicago, IL
Date: February 27th, 2010
Band Link: www.alkalinetrio.com
When it was announced that Cursive and Alkaline Trio were touring together, I think every little emo-hearted punk let out a girlish squeal. After all, it was Alkaline Trio and Cursive. Unfortunately, Saturday’s sold-out performance at Chicago’s the Metro did not exactly live up to expectations.
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Castevet – Subterranean Chicago, IL
Date: January 20th, 2010
Band Link: www.myspace.com/romancastevet
Less than a year after releasing their Summer Fences EP, Castevet headlined their record release show for The Echo & The Light at Subterranean last weekend. Taking the stage after midnight, the group displayed an explosive combination of indie, emo, punk, and instrumental. It’s almost as if the group single handedly picked the best element from their favorite bands and magically placed them into their songs.
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Recap: Mad Men – Season 3, Episode 13: “Shut the Door. Have a Seat”
Sometimes the reason it takes me so long to write a recap is because I like the watch the episodes several times. I like to make sure that I understand the implications of the actions of the characters. This is a slow moving series, one that requires it’s audience to pay close attention. Imagine my discomfort at the pace of season three then. While last Sunday’s episode probably could have only occurred as a season finale, I think it would have been interesting to see it as a season premiere for next season. With that being said, let’s recap.
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Recap: Mad Men – Season 3, Episode 12: “The Grown-Ups”
Where were you when Kennedy was shot? We know where the characters in Mad Men were. Sunday’s episode focuses on the days surrounding the assassinations of Kennedy and Oswald. We learn that Peggy has continued seeing Duck and they have a full blown affair going on. They were in a hotel when they found out. Pete has been demoted and was having a conversation with Harry when the staff interrupts when he finds out. Don walked into an office with phones ringing off the hook when he found out and Betty was at home.
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Recap: Mad Men – Mad Men – Season 3, Episode 11: “The Gypsy and the Hobo”
Nothing is perfect. People lie. Even the honest ones make mistakes. Bodies have freckles and flaws. Individuals go through growth spurts. Art is flawed. Nothing is perfect, and neither is this series. I think what audience memebers have witnessed this season is Mad Men with it’s freckles, flaws, lies, and growth spurts. When I started writing the recaps for Mad Men it came after a slightly disappointing season premiere but also after one of their strongest episodes ever, “A Kentucky Home.” Since that episode, I felt that the series was starting to rest on its laurels. Thank goodness for Sunday’s episode. It was a return to art.
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The Get Up Kids – The Metro, Chicago, IL
Date: October 21st 2009
Band Link: www.myspace.com/thegetupkids
A lot can be said about bands that decide to reunite to tour. Of all the reasons why, I can think it is safe to attribute the main cause to nostalgia. According to Merriam-Webster, Nostalgia is a noun and has two meanings: 1. the state of being homesick 2. a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition. Touring in support of the tenth anniversary of their album, Something to Write Home About, The Get Up Kids evoked feelings of nostalgia in Chicago last Wednesday night.
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Recap: Mad Men – Season 3, Episode 10: “The Color Blue”
Sunday night’s episode of Mad Men should have been titled “Fatal Attraction” because that’s exactly where Don is headed with his kooky girlfriend. The Drapers receive a mysterious phone call that hangs up. It could be Don’s girlfriend or it could be Henry calling for Betty. They both look guilty. What’s interesting though is the scene that follows. Don is on the train commuting to work when his girlfriend walks in and takes a seat next to him. She looks a bit disheveled. Don asks if she called last night and she says no. She tells Don that she doesn’t care that he’s married or about his job as long as she knows that he’s with her. Crazy much? On Betty’s end, she calls Henry to see if he called. He’s assertive in his answer and accuses Betty of making up the story just to talk to him.
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Riot Fest 2009
The fifth annual Riot Fest took over five days and several venues and clubs in Chicago last week. From old school punks to newer acts playing, it was hard to choose which acts to see and which venue to see them at. Skipping Wednesday and Thursday night, I started off my first Riot Fest experience on Friday and saw the rest of the weekend through.
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Recap: Mad Men – Season 3, Episode 9: “Wee Small Hours”
Last Sunday’s episode of Mad Men proved me both right and wrong. Don did go off and start his affair with the school teacher but Betty also started an affair of her own and didn’t end things with Henry like I had thought. “Wee Small Hours” opens with Betty fantasizing about Henry kissing her on her fainting chair. She is brought to reality by a phone call from Hilton, who doesn’t seem to understand the concept of personal space when it comes to Don.
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Recap: Mad Men – Season 3, Episode 7: “Seven Twenty Three” and Season 3, Episode 8: “Souvenir”
Mad Men – Episode 7: “Seven Twenty Three”
Focusing solely on Betty, Don, and Peggy the episode opens up with the ending. We see Peggy in bed with someone, Betty in a fainting chair, and Don passed out on the floor. Immediately you ask “what the heck?.” And that is pretty much the same sentiment you carry with you throughout the entire episode.
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