Album Reviews
Some records don’t try to comfort you. They meet you where you are, in the dark corners, in the places you’d rather avoid. chrome is a lullaby: re is one of those records. Her New Knife isn’t interested in polishing the edges or making things neat. They take what hurts, what confuses, what vibrates too loud to ignore, and they shape it into sound.
Philly five piece band Oldermost recently released their debut album, I Live Here Now, not necessarily a love letter to their city of residence but definitely an honest documentation of the human condition and a coming of age. The local rockers' sound is capacious and the band has a knack for invoking nostalgia with carefully crafted traditional style lyrics, paired with limpid melodies and earthy guitar tones.
Philly's up and coming Nicos Gun previewed new songs from their recently released album, Dream Vacation. They shared a taste of the album, a tune called “See No Evil." If you like what you hear then get the whole album: :https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dream-vacation/id842344945. It's a slight departure from their first album "Plush" laden punk rock energy and scratchy guitar riffs, but still true to what makes Nicos Gun the funky band we fell in love with.
http://www.nicosgun.com/
The retro experience that is Sallie Ford was on full display last night at Milkboy Philly in center city. Along with her band, the Sound Outside, Ford mixes past and present to make a sound and a style that is wholly her own.
Ford hit the stage donning a dress plucked right off of a 1950’s housewife, and the Band proceeded immediately into the surf-rock instrumental “The Eagle has Landed.” The Band’s surf-rock influences were apparent throughout the set; particularly on “They Told Me”, the first track off their most recent album, Untamed Beast. Showcasing a memorable riff, Ford gave the crowd their money’s worth with “They Told Me” as she belted the tune’s “in-your-face” lyrics before guitarist Jeff Unger closed the song with an impressive solo.
Letters to Myself proves these guys definitely know the formula for a great punk/pop album. Strong vocals, serious drumming, impeccable guitar work, and definite classic punk characteristic to juxtapose heartfelt lyrics with a sprinkling of obscenities.I especially connect with the lyrics of "On My Own". Not gonna lie, I was hoping for a fresh cover of the song from the musical Les Miserables, but I enjoyed it despite my initial disappointment. It's one of those songs where I could picture myself standing right in a sweaty mosh fending off stray fists as I inch closer to the stage, screaming the lyrics along with everyone else at the show.
I have to admit, when I began listening to this band, I wasn’t sure it was for me. I was too quick to judge. At first sound, it brought me back to my first few years in high school when I loved going to the YWCA in downtown West Chester to see local punk shows. I didn't fit in there at all, but I liked the music. True, after over ten years, my musical tastes have done a 180 degrees turn. But there is a passion and musicianship here that no one can deny.
With the release of their latest video to the song, Miss Tangerine, a few weeks ago, these kids seem to be on the right track. Yes, I said kids. Little bird consists of two 18 year olds. My first thought when listening to the song and seeing the video was, “Oh god, I feel so old.” After having a good cry about all the years I’ve wasted, I gave the video another go. The song is uplifting, witty and fun. It has a Southern Blues sound with some great guitar picking and vocals to back it up. It's starts off with some nice percussion created by fret hand muting by the rhythmic guitarist.
