| James Iha at Metro |
| March 31, 1998, 11:00 pm |
Source: Chicago Sun James Iha at Metro; [5XS Edition] Jim DeRogatis. Chicago Sun - Times. Chicago, Ill.: Apr 1, 1998. pg. 56 Abstract (Document Summary) Near the end of a transcendent hourlong set Monday night in the small fourth-floor theater above Metro, James Iha led a surprisingly solid five-piece band through a rollicking version of a tune by '60s folkie Eric Andersen. Iha's day job, of course, is rocking and rolling as the rhythm guitarist for Chicago superstars Smashing Pumpkins. But his Virgin solo debut, "Let It Come Down," is a sharp contrast - if the Pumpkins traffic in angst and bombast, Iha revels in romance and subtlety - and the promise of the album was more than fulfilled in live performance. Full Text (429 words) Copyright Chicago Sun Times Apr 1, 1998 Near the end of a transcendent hourlong set Monday night in the small fourth-floor theater above Metro, James Iha led a surprisingly solid five-piece band through a rollicking version of a tune by '60s folkie Eric Andersen. "I'd love to sing my ballads, but they only want to hear me rock and roll," the soft-spoken guitarist sang. It was a great choice for a cover song, but it just wasn't true. The intimate crowd of 100 friends and fans was thrilled to hear Iha deliver live renditions of the tunes from his new solo album during what he described as "my first-ever show" - or at least the first show in which the songs and vocals were all his own. Iha's day job, of course, is rocking and rolling as the rhythm guitarist for Chicago superstars Smashing Pumpkins. But his Virgin solo debut, "Let It Come Down," is a sharp contrast - if the Pumpkins traffic in angst and bombast, Iha revels in romance and subtlety - and the promise of the album was more than fulfilled in live performance. "Pardon my ballads," Iha said as he strapped on one of several acoustic guitars. "I write a lot of them." True enough, but the 13-song set was full of diversity, from the jangling, Big Star-like guitars of "Be Strong Now" to the country lilt of "Lover, Lover," and from the quiet Nick Drake introspection of "Silver String" to the uplifting romp of "Beauty." As Iha concentrated on his vocals, looking nervous but sounding great, he got sensitive support from his group, especially former Pumpkins drummer Matt Walker and guitarist Neal Kassel. The latter had a ball imitating Duane Allman on a cover of "Sweet Melissa." Rarely used, the Top Note Theatre on Metro's fourth floor was perfect, sort of like Iha inviting some people over to his living room for a low-key evening. It was one of only two shows that have been announced in support of "Let It Come Down" (the other is in New York later this week). But the band, the songs and the moonlighting Pumpkin were much too good to let it rest at that. Come on, James: The new Pumpkins album isn't out until June. What else have you got to do besides sit around and polish your guitars between now and the inevitable mega tour? It would be a shame not to give your own music the wider hearing that it deserves. [Illustration] James Iha delivered a diverse set of 13 songs from his new solo album Monday night at Metro's Top Note Theatre. Credit: Jim DeRogatis |