Mashup/Party Playlist

It's the weekend. Let's get rockin'.

Baltimore Bands: Jacober

As if it wasn't enough to be a part of the Dan Deacon Ensemble, Dope Body, and Holy Ghost Party, David Jacober ventured into creating a solo project with wonderfully weird results.

Known for his skills as a percussionist, David Jacober, puts his talents at work in his first album, "Water Karaoke", which has some of his recordings from the past three years, a few done with the help of Dan Frome. His solo identity, Jacober, concocts experimental, musical jungle for us to roam in. Through mysterious clicking sounds, watery tones that create murky puddles that cover the sound of drums, and vocals with nearly indistinguishable lyrics, "Water Karaoke" builds a fantasy land around you where the stars grow green stalks that flourish on the forest floor and vines of blue and purple wrap themselves around trees as tall as giants.

More engaging than most experimental music, Jacober's album draws you in rather than shocking you into falling into the music. Songs like "BUTTER" flow in an instrumental, charcoal line hand-drawn by an illustrator. Get lost in a soup of ambiguity and metaphor now, and download "Water Karaoke" here.

Best of Soundcloud: Alvin Risk

If you haven't heard of Alvin Risk, you definitely have been missing out. He makes some of the best remixes out there that you'll ever find. With some intense beats and twists, Alvin Risk gets you nodding along. Don't expect anything but a good mix from this guy. If you like what you hear, check out the rest of his work at his soundcloud.

  

Philadelphia Bands: Slutever

Music Review

You might hear "all girl band" and imagine pink guitars and pop tunes, but Slutever takes that mental image and kicks its teeth in.

Lo-fi punk, this group of chicks can rock out as insanely as a stadium of white people when "Bohemian Rhapsody" comes on the loudspeakers (and trust me, they go INSANE). With vocals that lean words against each other like drunk guys at a bar, Slutever's album "Pretend to be Nice" gives you more than just a shake upside down; it gets you head banging to songs like "No Offense" while some dude comes crowdsurfing toward the stage. Prepare yourselves and get "Pretend to be Nice" here.

Song of the Day

Probably the best thing you'll hear.

Outside Forces: Haroula Rose

Music Review

Sweet sounds from Los Angeles will sweep you into a pastel-colored spring day in a quiet neighborhood, all in the form of a folk singer named Haroula Rose.

Her clear voice shines through each of her songs on her latest EP, "So Easy", like the fresh scent of a blooming magnolia. Inhale Rose's wondrous sounds from songs speckled with a simple truth like "Only Friends" to songs with a lonely yearning that pulls at your heart the way "Already Yours" does. This is the kind of music that plays in the background while you lie on your back, spread out in star-fish mode, with only the sun to blanket you in warmth. This is the kind of music that will be your best friend on lonely, cloudy days. 

A perfect match to your next walk through a park on a cool, clear-skied day, "So Easy" is an EP that deserves to join the ranks of your favorite folk albums. Buy it for only five dollars here and don't forget to check out Rose's website or to like her facebook page. 

On an unrelated note

It's my birthday! 

blow out the candles.
send me birthday wishes. or even better, send me birthday music to listen to!

Philadelphia Bands: Modern Baseball

Music Review

Pure adolescence in musical form: that's what Modern Baseball's new album is. Recently released yesterday, and with an unadulterated sound, "Sports" is what everyone needed, lying on the bed with arms and head dangling upside down, the ceiling fan spinning to the rhythm of suburbia's heartbeat.

There's a warmth to the tone in Modern Baseball's songs that shines through the world-weary vocals and fuzzy edged guitar riffs. Emotional and relatable, songs like "@chl03k" and "I Think You Were in My Profile Picture Once" will reach out to you with an open hand, one that asks to be taken and held.

Folksy-punk at times and acoustic-rock at other times, Modern Baseball is nothing less than honest and true.  Founded only one year ago, this band is truly worth a listen. Like their facebook page to keep up with their updates, and purchase "Sports" here.

Baltimore Bands: Lower Dens

Music Review

If you haven't heard of them already, you will soon; this band is moving on up the charts.

Lower Dens is a band that sounds like chasing fireflies while barefoot on a dark summer evening. The echoing tunes will bring you to the nighttime music of hot, sticky July. Haunting vocals give songs like "Propagation" an evanescent quality that will run shivers through your skin. Shadowy yet soothing, Lower Dens creates a dark mother that will sing you lullabies until you drift to sleep.

Check out their website at lowerdens.com and listen to some of their music through Ribbon Music's soundcloud.

Best of Bandcamp: Punks on Mars

Music Review

With a galactic, robots-in-London intro theme, "Bad Expectations", the newest album by Punks on Mars,  takes you on a ride through the fourth dimension on a baroque harpsichord.

Started in 2010, Punks on Mars mixes early 80's with the futuristic and classical along with some surf-worthy vocals thrown in. Sounds as colorful as the album cover are what make "Bad Expectations" so perfect to play on your record player during a casual basement party. Songs like "Hey! Tiffany" can pump you up with its precise guitar solos, whereas something like "Tabloid Tomorrow" give a looser, laid back feel with its day-dreamy vocals. Give them a listen and purchase their album here. 

Philadelphia Bands: Girl Scouts

Music Review

Girl Scouts is hard to label. Their sound kind of blends between hard core emo and maybe a little math rock.  Guitar riffs like spiders on piano keys make their album, "thanksalot", a particularly unique work in the sea of Philadelphia's garage, punk, and rock.

Though only made up of two songs, "thanksalot" is a worthwhile album to listen to and will certainly add a bit of flavor to your music collection. The sandy, strong vocals give "We Were Blowing Up Shit for Days" a sense of something like a high school fist fight; it's human, it's real, and it's genuine, unadulterated violence. "Superbowl Birthday Party" has a little personality with the inclusion of a mix of percussion instruments, talented drum solo, and a sports-team-worthy chant of the numbers leading up to 13.

Their album can be found at their bandcamp.

What to do: Philadelphia

For those of you in Philadelphia wondering what to do now that Thanksgiving is over, here are some concerts to consider.

Tuesday: 

• The Gaslight Anthem at the Electric Factory
• Twin Sister, School of Seven Bells, and Moon King at Union Transfer

Thursday

• Passion Pit and Ra Ra Riot at the Electric Factory
• 3LAU, Aylen, DJ Sylo, and Chris Rivera at Whisper Nightclub

Friday

• Title Fight, Pianos Become the Teeth, Single Mothers, Tigers Jaw at Union Transfer

Saturday

• Zeds Dead at the Electric Factory

Expect to see me Friday at Union Transfer. If you'd like to rendezvous, contact me on The Tiny Sparrow facebook page. Keep an eye out for an Asian girl with blond hair in a pixie cut.

In case you were wondering

This is what I look like when I'm thinking about what to write for my next review.

Think think think

The Mountain Goats

An Unpopular Opinion

I've tried listening to them. "Damn These Vampires" just didn't do it for me. I've got "All Eternals Deck" on my itunes, and I've listened to it four times, but I just can't get into them. The Mountain Goats will forever remain the band that everyone else seems to like that I just can't enjoy. Something about the singer's lackluster singing fails to live up to expectations.

John Darnielle might be a nice guy in real life. He might be really fun and sweet and genuine, but his music doesn't hold those qualities for me. 

Admittedly, the album kind of grows on you as you continue to listen to it, but there's a point where you just think "Wow, that's it? That's what everyone's been raving about?" Maybe I just haven't given them enough of a chance. They have a new album out that I haven't listened to yet that might be good to check out. Who knows? But for now...for now, The Mountain Goats and I are not bros.

New York: Libricide

Music Review

Don't be fooled by the name: these guys are (to my knowledge) are only nominally known as book-burners. A prog-rock-fusion band, Libricide is something that's a little bit of the insanity found in the modern, chaotic world around us.

Being a two-man band, this duo will get you jamming out with your head bobbing along to the beat. Libricide is made up of Harun Gadol (vocals/guitar) and Johnny Castillo (vocals/bass), two guys who mean business; they've toured all over the New York City tri-state area, playing at various venues, and have released their EP, "Barriers to Entry", with three songs that will fill you up more than your Thanksgiving dinner did. With sounds that full and music so mixed with the boiling scent of probability, "Barriers to Entry" gives you a twist in your playlist. 

Give their EP a listen and look out for their album, which is expected to be released early next year.

Outside Forces: Megan Starr

Music Review

Indie poppy like a freshly opened bottle of champagne, Megan Starr's single, "Beta Testing," is boogying its way into your headphones. With an eighties kick to it, "Beta Testing" will get you on your feet and shimmying left and right.

Megan Starr, depicted in the photo above, not only sings, but also models in her spare time while also making room for acting. In 2012, Starr signed with Elah Valley Music and began recording her first EP. which is due out soon before this year is over. Her catchy, bouncy music with its robotic-sounding chorus becomes a tune that you can't help but hum while jogging on the treadmill. The retro tone that underlies her music creates a hot fusion of modern pop with the old, the end result being an aerobics-worthy dance song.

Check out her music on her website and download the free remix of "Beta Testing."

Late Night Music

RAC creates another great hit with this remix.

Philadelphia Bands: Toy Soldiers

Music Review

Crooning vocals and toe-tapping beats are what make Toy Soldiers so memorable. Their light guitar riffs make the music fun and takes this band in a twisting, turning timewarp. With a slight bluesy twang, Toy Soldiers sets up a kind of soulful, modern spin on classic rock 'n' roll, bringing it to 2012 with a fresh coat of paint. As local music connoisseur, Jake Brophy, puts it, "It's cowboy shit."

Made of members Ron Gallo, Dominic Billett, Matt Kelly, Luke Leidy, Bill McCloskey, this Philadelphia band will knock you out with its leather boots and shake you down. Come see them at World Cafe Live this December 22nd, and expect only the best.

Outside Forces: Monstrauss

Music Review

Thanks to a friend of mine, I've been introduced to part of the music scene in San Jose, California, starting with the ska-grunge band, Monstrauss.

Upbeat and mosh-worthy, their music is something of a mish mash between the hard core and the more easy-going ska. Their EP, "My Brain and Me," has captivated me with its authentic sound and quality.With intense screams thrown into songs from their EP like "Winston," you can feel the raw intensity rip you in two. A strong bass line provides the underlying black outline to Monstrauss' sound, and the heavy-to-light guitar in songs like "Space Cadet" give something solid to grab onto like the cords of a rock climber.

Nothing but the most genuine sound comes out of this band. Made up of members Noaa Rienecker (vocals/guitar/bass), Jason Hallyburton (bass/guitar), Kennedy Applefield (guitar), and Robin Signorelli (drums) along with Noah Sanchez DeTagle (trumpet), Gabe Perez (baritone saxophone), and Jimmy McElreavy (alto saxophone), Monstrauss puts together a tough-to-beat crew of dudes ready to rock.

Check out their music here and download their EP while you're at it.

Baltimore Bands: Sean Wilson

Music Review

With a day-dreamy, hazy sound, solo artist Sean Wilson produces the most chill loops-n-delay pop out there. Wilson, a Harford County resident, brings more to the table with his vocals than you could expect; with a voice this powerful and emotional, prepare to have your heart wrung out.

His album, "Chalkboard Kids," is full of abstract sounds, from the watercolored, sweet song, "Wait," to the more upbeat, bike-ride-through-Providence-at-sundown song, "Cat." Wilson delivers with a full collection of artfully crafted music that anyone can get into. Download "Chalkboard Kids", slip on some headphones, and let yourself go on cruise control through a cloudy, faded sunset world.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Late night Song of the Day/Morning/Night?

For those of you who can't sleep:

Philadelphia Bands: Triceratopolis

Music Review

Ever heard of a thing called "chiptunes?" The music genre was fairly recently opened up to me, and now that I've gotten into it, I'm forever hooked. With musicians like Bit Shifter and :( on the rise, this genre is getting a growing fan base that'll bring it up into the spotlight.

It was through a band called Triceratopolis that really got me into this genre, and though it's not completely chiptunes, it relies heavily enough on it to make it an applicable adjective to the band. A punk-chiptunes lunch combination, Triceratopolis will rock your world with its catchy beats and fun lyrics that get you headbanging whether you like it or not.

A solo project of Edward Spinelli's, Triceratopolis is everything your neighborhood punk needs for quenching the angst out and letting the pop/punk beats in. Locally renowned as a third-year music industry major and all-around-nice-guy, Ed has dedicated his life to creating only the best songs you'll ever hear. If you need something to belt out while dancing in the shower, Triceratopolis' hit single, "All My Friends Have Cameras" is a great one to get your day off on the right foot.

In his first album, "Welcome to Triceratopolis," Ed combines his mastery at composing with his easy-to-get-stuck-in-your-head voice to concoct a catchy chiptunes-punk set list that'll get you on your feet and into the mosh pit. 

Keep an eye out for this diamond in the rough as he makes his way on stage at your next local house show. For now, get him on your itunes by going to his bandcamp. Check out his website, too. 

Best of Bandcamp: Aerica Lauren

Music Review

Local astronaut wanna-be, Aerica Lauren, is the kind of girl whose voice will soothe even the most vicious soul. Dreamy, gentle ukulele strums accompany her soft, haunting vocals in her newly released digital album, "Home."

A bird's skeleton couldn't compare to the fragility of Aerica's songs. Breakable to touch yet autonomous, each track has something personal and sweet to it that's endearing. Let "Home" into your heart and purchase her album now.

Baltimore Bands: Sea Patterns

Music Review

Being from Baltimore, the local music scene has always been something I've been a part of. If you're in town this Thanksgiving break, you've got to go see Sea Patterns rock out at the Charm City Art Space this Friday, November 23rd.

Made up of singer/guitarist Kevin Wenger, singer/guitarist Jeff Koplovitz, and drummer Chris Sweeney, the power-indie trio describes itself on its facebook page as "kind of noise pop stuff like a punk arguing with a smiths fan." The band started in 2009 and continues to grow in its production of violent, catchy, beachy sounding songs that get you smelling salt in the air and feeling the grit of sand against your teeth. With only three years behind it, Sea Patterns has a developed sound that still feels raw like a teenage make-out sesh. Rock out to some rough and tumble surfy noise rock this weekend and get a head start on memorizing those hard to catch lyrics by checking out their soundcloud. Don't forget to get a download of their album off of bandcamp.

Best of Bandcamp: ElyonBeats

Music Review

What better way to spend your morning than by drinking a cup of coffee or tea in a small kitchen with some ambient, jazzy hip-hop playing in the background? ElyonBeats is exactly that kind of music that makes you want to lean over your mug and nod gently to some chill beats.

With twelve albums out on Bandcamp, ElyonBeats has all the qualities of a smooth European cafe that you could imagine--just add a light pastry and you're set. Elyon, the single member of ElyonBeats, crafts gentle melodies that you can lounge to. Wherever you are, carry a slice of chill with the newest album, "Museum". Download it while it's free. Check out ElyonBeats' facebook page, while you're at it.