Music
Album Review: Taylor Swift - "Red"
With the release of her pensive new album, “Red,” Taylor Swift shows off a more mature version of herself. The record's only anti–boy rant is the cutely cranky “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Everything else — such as the dubstep–esque “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “The Last Time,” a surging duet with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody — is adult. Both “22” and “Starlight” are about the timelessness of youth. The perky “Stay Stay Stay” mentions groceries and settling down. And “Everything Has Changed,” a raw duet with Ed Sheerhan, is a graduation into the indie coffeehouse jams of the thoughtful twentysomething. She’s still wholesome, lively, and genuine, but she’s older — and she’s seeing anything but red. 3/5 Stars
Concert Recap: Mayer Hawthorne and Cheers Elephant
In previous years, SPEC has brought indie rock groups to campus for its annual Fall Concert, but this year they decided to switch things up with neo–soul singer and all–in–all classy dude, Mayer Hawthorne. When Cheers Elephant, the local opening act, stepped onstage, audience members stayed cool and composed in their seats, waiting for the music to start as if waiting for a movie to play.
A Toast to Dear Old Wig
The oldest all–male musical comedy group in the nation is backed up by one of campus’ best bands.
Concert Previews: 10/15- 10/21
Who’s Playing Philly This Week
Playlist of the Week: 10.15.2012
Playlist 10/15 by bberns on Grooveshark
Mash-Up of the Week: Louis Armstrong x Missy Elliot
Throughout high school I was a theatre kid — perhaps some vestiges of this remain in my personality (aside from the attention obviously gained from writing articles). As such, I present to you this comparatively artistic mash–up from Broadway’s (retro–updated) past.
Concert Review: Animal Collective at the Mann Center
The stage at the Mann Center looked just like you'd expect at an Animal Collective show: strewn with giant fluorescent teeth and resembling a mouth.
Album Review: The Vaccines - "Come of Age"
Described as heralding the return of guitar–driven rock music, the Vaccines’ sophomore album “Come of Age” proves that a 21st century rock band does not need a synthesizer.
Interview: Mayer Hawthorne
Street chats with SPEC’s Fall Concert Artist, neo–soul star Mayer Hawthorne about his hip–hop sensibility, the nine–to–five grind of touring and keeping it classy.
RetroSPECtive
Mayer Hawthorne is playing this Thursday, but he's only the latest in a long–running win–streak for SPEC. Street walks you through SPEC's past performers in this brief look back on the Fall Concert series.
Album Review: Freelance Whales - "Diluvia"
In their sophomore effort, indie pop rock band Freelance Whales deliver a dreamy explosion of noise.
Playlist of the Week: 10.9.2012
10/8/12 by halex on Grooveshark Check out our past playlists here.
Review: "Until The Quiet Comes" - Flying Lotus
Flying Lotus’ latest album is a jumbled experience, and fans of his 2010 near-masterpiece "Cosmogramma" might be initially disappointed.
Review: “Transcendental Youth” - The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats, like a fine wine, just get better with age. In their 14th album, “Transcendental Youth,” the indie folk band delivers jazzy instrumentals coupled with poetic storytelling.
Review: "Lightning" — Matt & Kim
“Some things are better with age / some things no longer remain,” belts out Matt Johnson of indie pop duo Matt & Kim on “Now,” a song from their newest album.
Mash-up of the Week: Clipse Virginia
Though some may find this disgusting, I never finished “Ocarina of Time” — I always found the Shadow Temple too terrifying to move on.
Bookin' It
Street talks to Brendan Bercik, head of Yarga Productions, about what goes into filling Pilam's concert calendar
