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.

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.

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.