Music
Review: “Babel"— Mumford and Sons
Fans of folk–rock rejoice!
Looking For Shows? Try DIY
Philly has a long history of concert venue start–ups
Review: "Battle Born” — The Killers
Thirty seconds into “Flesh and Bone,” the opener on The Killers’ new album, “Battle Born,” it is easy to believe the band has not changed in eight years — the pop synths, edgy guitar chords and Brandon Flowers’ raspy vocals are reminiscent of their first studio production, “Hot Fuss.” Nonetheless, “Runaways,” undeniably the strongest track on "Battle Born," features high–soaring vocals and riveting drumbeats that showcase the group’s distinctive Springsteen and 80s rock influences in a completely new way.
Let Me Hear That Boom Boom
Fishtown community music space The Boom Room celebrates its first birthday
Hidden Gems: “Electric and Benevolent” The Extraordinaires, 2009
With the release of their newest album, "Electric and Benevolent," Philly’s own indie quintet The Extraordinaires seems poised to chisel out their own niche in the brimming East Coast indie scene.
Coexisting Giants
Indie bigwigs Grizzly Bear, St. Vincent (and David Byrne) and The xx all released new albums this week. Never heard of them? Allow us to break it down for you.
Carly’s Awesome, So Listen Maybe
Some may cringe at her poppy anthems, but Carly Rae Jepsen's supporters beg to differ.
Review: Shields - Grizzly Bear
After three superb studio productions, the expectations for Grizzly Bear’s newest album were high.
Review: Coexist - The xx
It didn’t seem possible for The xx to become more minimalist, but they may have succeeded in doing just that on their sophomore album, “Coexist.” The vocals of Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft have not lost their smooth and dreamy qualities, but instead of each song packing its own unique punch as they did on “xx,” the songs run in a nearly unchanging stream, both lyrically and musically, the sounds melting together in an indiscernible mix.
Love This Giant - St. Vincent and David Byrne
Long understood as prolific collaborators, David Byrne and St.
Concert Previews: 9/16 - 9/23
Who’s Playing Philly This Week
Playlist of the Week: 9.17.2012
Enjoy our past playlists here.
Review: Beacon - Two Door Cinema Club
In their sophomore effort, the Irish band reprise their catchy, clean–cut blend of indie rock and electro–pop, proving that in the two years since “Tourist History” they’ve matured without losing their upbeat energy.
City Reign
Local musician Ben Runyan grows up, conquering heartbreak and Philly
Review: "Montage" - City Rain
If there’s one word to describe City Rain’s new EP, "Montage," it’s anthemic.
Review: "The North" - Stars
Stars, the Canadian baroque–pop quintet, are back this fall with their sixth full–length album, "The North." The album opens with “Theory of Relativity,” a track that’s classic Stars, weaving together singer Torquil Campell’s even notes with the high chimes of Amy Millan’s voice.
What Happened This Summer?
6/7–6/10 – The unwashed masses head to Manchester, TN for Bonnaroo 2012, featuring…pretty much everyone. 6/12 – Diplo releases his "Express Yourself" EP; starts Facebook photo competition. 7/2 – Girls frontman Christopher Owens announces he’s leaving the band; indie kids everywhere mourn. 7/10 – The Dirty Projectors release "Swing Lo Magellan"; indie kids everywhere rejoice. 7/15 – Korean rapper PSY releases "Gangnam Style," which quickly goes viral, gaining over 130 million views to date. 7/25 – Taylor Swift moves on to her second Kennedy. 7/29 – Animal Collective begin a weekly radio show leading up to the release of "Centipede HZ," complete with trippy visuals. 8/17 – Three members of punk–rock group Pussy Riot are convicted of hooliganism in Russia, sparking conversations worldwide about freedom of speech. 9/1–9/2 – NSO moves to Center City as Jay–Z & Co. take over Philly with Made in America fest; stay tuned for the Ron Howard directed documentary.
Review: Centipede Hz
They obviously don’t care about their social status
