Shows coming up / Sufjan Bashing

The shows listed on the sidebar got some much-needed updating this morning and some key shows caught my eye. Foremost, f*cking Dr. Octagon in the house at Abbey Pub, Thursday August 10! Where did this come from? I know at least one of you is down for this. We need to talk about tix.

I'm also completely psyched for the recently annouced Okkervil River two-night stand at Schubas, Saturday and Sunday, October 7-8. I completely missed the boat on 2005's masterful Black Sheep Boy -- one of the most inspired concept albums in recent memory I would argue. I bought it in January and in retrospect it's probably my true favorite album of 2005.

UPDATE: How could I forget the upcoming show from the newly-symphonic Sufjan Stevens, Tuesday, September 28 at the Riviera. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am CST.

And speaking of Sufjan (I promise no more for a while after this) - All Music Guide honcho Stephen Thomas Erlewine takes a few swipes at him in this piece, and ends up with a classic case of "critic-itis" -- or the burning sensation caused when a critic's previous endorsement becomes a little too popular for their own rep. Signs of infection include excessive whining (Erlewine-ing), "I was there when"-ing, and other rep-saving / self-differentiating patchwork.