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(10/24/13 9:45am)
The superficial lyrics and undercooked refrains on Best Coast’s new seven-song EP render this supposed “mini-album” almost immediately forgettable, making its title, “Fade Away,” seem appropriate. With painfully simple lyrics like “sick of you being mean / I didn’t do anything” and “life is short but so am I,” the tracks blend together due not only to their similarly boring instrumentation, but also to their equally two-dimensional rhetoric. Moving further away from indie rock and closer to pop, the EP’s repetitive, lazy guitar riffs will probably cause fans yearning for the lo-fi sound of past Best Coast efforts to fade away.
(10/17/13 9:21am)
After 17 years of testing genre boundaries, Of Montreal is still surprising fans with its ’60s psychedelic pop/’70s glam rock–inspired 12th studio album, “Lousy With Sylvianbriar.” Opening with standout track “Fugitive Air,” Of Montreal maintains the energized art rock of earlier albums against a backdrop of traditional classic rock. From “Fugitive Air” to the third track “Belle Glade Missionaries,” the album juggles multiple styles without being disjointed, seamlessly switching to a folkier twang with “Sirens of Your Toxic Spirit” and “Raindrop in My Skull.” Though “Lousy” may not be the band’s most notable effort, Of Montreal continue to transcend genres with a refreshing verve.
(10/03/13 9:20am)
The second half of Justin Timberlake’s “20/20 Experience” falls short of the hype. Sequels are often plagued with comparisons to the first album and “20/20 Experience 2 of 2” is no exception. With pop jams abounding, the first part set the bar high. The second part drags tracks beyond even the seven–minute mark, with a distracting lack of focus despite a few standout songs. However, JT’s charisma and ability to make you get up out of your seat and dance haven’t faded. With a verse from Drake in “Cabaret” and classic JT R&B hits like “Murder” and “Take Back the Night,” the album redeems itself.
(04/18/13 1:00pm)
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have always dabbled in experimentation. Their latest effort, “Mosquito,” is conceptual, fun and a little trippy. The album revels in its range with unique percussion and an extremely lo–fi sound. The first single, “Sacrilege,” is a hit that doesn’t try to be. Featuring a powerful gospel choir, the track employs both memorable vocals and high riffs. The next song, "Subway," sets the tone and character for the record: weird and unpredictable. With garage rock songs like "Mosquito" and "Area 52" and sensual tracks like "Slave," the Yeah Yeah Yeahs once again demonstrate their ability to come up with a fresh sound with each album.
(04/18/13 9:51am)
1. Delicate Steve—"Positive Force"
(04/04/13 8:17pm)
Rilo Kiley’s next release, a compilation of archival material, may be their last. The collection, titled “rkives,” compiles never before released songs including demos, b-sides, and rarities that flow well while offering variety. With the indie rock elements of “It’ll Get You There” and “Runnin’ Around” and the country strumming of “Bury Bury Bury Another,” this compilation offers a window into the band’s flexibility. The record also includes a new version of the “Under the Blacklight” track “Dejalo,” with rapping from lead vocalist Jenny Lewis and rapper Too $hort, resulting in a dance track unlike any other Rilo Kiley song before. If “rkives” is the end for Rilo Kiley, it’s a fitting end indeed.
(04/04/13 10:15am)
1. Graffiti Bar
124 S. 13th Street
Getting There: Take the Market–Frankford Line; get off at 13th Street.
(03/28/13 10:11am)
“Afraid of Heights,” San Diego punk band Wavves’ latest release, is arguably their most mature effort yet. From the outset, the album is simultaneously comforting and noisy as “Sail to the Sun” opens with deceitfully dreamy instrumentals and quickly morphs into a classic surf–rock–esque Wavves song. After three studio releases, Wavves has finally achieved a strong, adventurous album that does not indulge itself. With fuzzy, relaxed tracks like “Dog” and “I Can’t Dream” and upbeat, powerhouse songs like “Lounge Forward” and “Beat Me Up,” Wavves both avoids the redundancy of past releases and begs listeners to stay for the whole show.
(03/14/13 10:41am)
Youth Lagoon’s sophomore album is a bold venture into a mind–melting, out–of–this–world atmosphere. While Youth Lagoon’s debut, "The Year of Hibernation," had mild psychedelic undertones, the darkness in "Wondrous Bughouse" seems to be fashioned out of a fascination with mysteries of the mind. With guitars bending, synthesizers abounding and drums dallying, the album succeeds in mimicking a mind that never turns off. With the circus sounds of “Attic Doctor” and “Sleep Paralysis” and the innocent vocals of the album’s first single, “Dropla,” Youth Lagoon’s simple melodies and poignant lyrics evoke Animal Collective’s sophisticated pop. Although the psychedelic atmosphere of the album is sometimes overwhelming, "Bughouse" confidently explores matters of the mind for better or for worse.
(02/21/13 10:30am)
Atlas Genius’s debut opens with a good first impression as the retro–tinged “Electric” sets the standard for the rest of the album. “If So” follows, with similarly hooky guitar riffs and distant vocals that beg for a closer listen. Atlas Genius manages to find a balance between synth–pop and indie rock with “Trojans,” appropriate for both the dance floor and the power–walk to class. “Back Seat” is another standout, channeling Foster the People while replete with its own character. Although “When It Was Now” tends to blend together, it will be no easy feat recording another album that is as equally suited for pop radio as it is for a hipster’s iPod.
(02/21/13 10:00am)
You need:
Computer paper with printed artwork on one side (try: Shepard Fairey’s "Guns & Roses") OR with personally drawn artwork on one side (be creative!)
A CD
(02/20/13 6:06am)
1. Fiona has been raising 5 kids since she was 15.
If you think that finding out your dad is gay is a bigger tragedy than digging up a dead body, Fiona will be the first to tell you that you're dead wrong. You'll have to do better than putting tacks in her register if you want to threaten her. To her, that's child's play.
(02/14/13 6:07am)
1. Frank sends Carl to “cancer camp.”
Despite Carl not actually being afflicted with terminal cancer, Frank ships him off to Camp Happy Hopes without getting anything out of it. Frank may have tried to use Carl and his fake illness last week to score court-side seats at a Chicago Bulls game, but this kind of makes up for it. Kind of.