Best Album to Study To

Erik Satie, an early 20th century avant-garde composer, basically invented the study album when he created the world's first "furniture music" - organized sounds that, much like a nice ottoman or rocking chair, can fill a room without becoming its focal point.

Defibrillator

The Dukes of Stratosphear Chips from the Chocolate Fireball 1987 As a break from their somewhat more somber projects, the British new-wave group XTC traveled back in time to pay homage to their musical influences under the pseudonym The Dukes of Stratosphear and produced Chips from the Chocolate Fireball.

Best Album to Cry To

The Smiths' best album, Meat is Murder, is not music for a light sob. This is an album for a "I am human and need to be loved" hardcore cryfest.

Defibrillator: The Get Up Kids, "Something to Write Home About" (1999)

As a precocious 12-year-old at summer camp, I worshipped my 20-year-old senior counselor. She had a boyfriend and a tattoo and was impossibly cool.

American Beauty

Although it has been nearly five years since her last studio release, Erykah Badu's fourth LP New AmErykah was well worth the wait.

Mountain of Difficulties

The Mountain Goats - started in 1991 as a lo-fi solo project by songwriter John Darnielle - played in the basement of the First Unitarian Church last Thursday, March 20.

Bossy

"First of all I would like to thank God for making me the boss I am." That's how Rick Ross begins his acknowledgements in the liner notes of his new album Trilla.

This Week In Music

3/28: The Raveonettes World Cafe Live, All Ages WXPN's Free at Noon Concert Series brings The Raveonettes, an alluring Danish duo whose sugar-coated harmonies and feedback-drenched guitars will please anyone within earshot.

All That Jazz

My dad told me when I was younger that he first started listening to jazz when he was in college. At the time, I couldn't believe it - it seemed impossible anyone could, firstly, adopt an entire genre of music into their listening palate so late in life (yes, college students still seemed very old to me at the time) and secondly, could do so entirely on his own. As I think about it now, the reason for his late-blooming appreciation for jazz is all too obvious.

Defibrillator

Grandpaboy Mono 2002 Back in 2001, The Strokes released Is This It, claiming to "save" rock with their punk snotitude and delicate attention to not really caring.

This Week In Music

Thursday, 3/20: The Mountain Goats First Unitarian Church, All Ages Prolific lo-fi veterans The Mountain Goats are beloved for their intelligent lyrics and warm experimental folk style.

Teen Angst

On their debut album Reality Check, The Teenagers espouse the hormonal tribulations of that eponymous age range with a twisted Parisian/Californian adolescent perspective.

The Defibrillator

Robbie Robertson Storyville 1991 Robbie Robertson, guitarist and songwriter from The Band, was always an amazing musician (everyone's soul aches, wishing they had written "The Weight"). Storyville, his second solo album, is a wonder, and though I've never seen it on anyone's shelf, it is filled with his most beautiful songs.

Pet Sounds

Last Saturday, packed into a South Philly basement stood roughly 100 of the city's most in-the-know music fans.

Playlist of the Week

Be Your Own Pet Interview

After the show, Street was able to catch up with lead singer Jemina Abegg and lead guitarist Jonas Stein to talk about the upcoming album, touring and their abrasive style of crowd control. Street: How does it feel to be back in Philadelphia? Jemina Abegg: We always have awesome shows in Philly so it's great to be back. Jonas Stein: The last time we were here was at the First Unitarian Church opening up for Sonic Youth.

The Week in Music

2/28: RX Bandits and The English Beat The Trocadero, All Ages Break out your digital recorders and head down to Chinatown to catch five-piece California ska band the RX Bandits at the Troc.

Students Sound Off

Waking up early on a Saturday morning for a Ticketmaster pre-sale is never fun; what's worse is the bundle of extra charges you have to pay if you're lucky enough to snag a few seats.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Unfortunately, too many people have passed on the Mountain Goats' extensive discography - 16 albums in total.