Bloc Party, Seu Jorge, The dB’s, The Redwalls

BLOC PARTY
The next big thing: Four-stars from Rolling Stone. Opening for the Pixies. Nomination for the Mercury Prize. A spot on Jimmy Kimmel. A clever band name that incorporates ironic Soviet-inspired spelling. What more could the new progenitors of “dance rock” want? How about a victory lap? September finds Bloc Party returning to Chicago for a collection of the spoils. Largely unknown outside the U.K. in 2004, Bloc Party has gained so much momentum that they now merit a track-by-track remix of their debut album. Silent Alarm Remixed drops on Sept. 13, boasting rebuilt tracks by M83, Death from Above 1979 and Nick Zinner among others. And then there’s the question of that Mercury Prize. The most prestigious music award in Britain has honored the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Dizzee Rascal and Portishead in its 13-year history. Oh, they also dole out £30,000 to the winner. Just another perk for the next big thing. (Appearing with The Kills and The Noisettes at the Congress Theater on Sept. 14) –text: Tim Slowikowski–photo: Roman Barrett

SEU JORGE
How do you connect two big entertainment personalities like Bill Murray and David Bowie? Maybe only by way of rising Brazilian star Seu Jorge. At one time Jorge was a homeless kid in the slums of a town near Rio de Janeiro and it was in these “favelas” that he learned to hone his skill in both music and theater. And so what better person to play the role of guitar-obsessed, Bowie-covering incompetent shipmate in Murray’s 2004 comedy, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou? With the upcoming release of his second album Cru on Sept. 6, Jorge blows up a style of Brazilian pop – more specifically, samba – that is accessible to both the pop-loving masses (with its danceability) and those indie fans who obsess over Wes Anderson soundtracks. There are moments of Cru when Jorge’s low-toned vocals anchor soft-stringed acoustic ballads, and others in which he breaks out and shouts. In most moments the style is impassioned and unique – a real breath of fresh air for the world music scene. (Appearing with Boubacar Traore at Logan Square Auditorium on Sept. 18) –text: Josh Zanger–photo: Benoit Pererelli

THE DB’S
The dB’s released a string of critically acclaimed records in the early ’80s that received nearly universal adoration by critics and a small cadre of devotees. As fate would have it, however, the NYC-by-way-of-North Carolina popsters would have to wait 20 years to get their due. The ’80s were known for many things, but good taste wasn’t one of them, and the dB’s called it quits in 1988. Their three major works, 1981′s Stands For Decibels, 1982′s Repercussion, and 1984′s Like This are pop gems, a subtle update on Big Star’s jangle-heavy melodies. The band reunites in September for a quick run of just four shows, two of which are in Chicago. They’ve also recorded some new material, which is as of yet unreleased, although a track available at their Web site (www.thedbsonline.net) sounds intriguing. (Appearing with The Redwalls, The Ponys, Nomo and The M’s at the Hideout Block Party during the day on Sept. 17 and at the House of Blues Back Porch Stage later that night) –text: Don Bartlett–photo: Jake Gorst

THE REDWALLS
By looking to the past, The Redwalls are mapping out a future filled with limitless possibilities. Hailing from Deerfield, Illinois, the one-time Beatles cover band is now scoring high in the Chicago scene. The band’s major label debut De Nova shows The Redwalls a little wiser and more confident, taking aim at the FCC (“Falling Down”) and tackling the war in Iraq (“Glory Of War”). In a summer that has had the band tour the stadiums of the U.K. with Oasis and launch the first day of the reconfigured Lollapalooza, The Redwalls continue to roll on. Tapping into the spirit of the ’60s British Invasion-era of rock music, The Redwalls remember, always, the excitement that first grabbed them. Whether on stage or on record, they are hungry to keep that fire burning and add their voices to the larger song. (Appearing with The M’s, The Ponys, Nomo and The dB’s at the Hideout Block Party on Sept. 17) –text: Chris Castaneda–photo: Daniel Gabbay