The Bedlam in Goliath, the fourth full-length studio release by The Mars Volta, introduces listeners to a new sound -- a modification of the direction taken by the group on their last release, 2006's Amputechture.
Charizma &
Peanut Butter Wolf
Big Shots
2003
The "hip-hop pioneer" title is generally attributed to a limited pool of late '80s and early '90s MCs, depending on subjective standards.
Here are some words I'm not going to use in the following article: day-glo, nerd, neon, hallucinatory, spastic, spazz, demented, frenzy, wacky, ebullient, man-child, shenanigans, awesome.
Tonight: Vampire Weekend
First Unitarian Church, All Ages
Vampire Weekend turns out indie-pop gems with a touch of afro-pop (see our review on page 15). These Ivy League grads just signed a deal with XL Recordings and are poised to explode on the scene.
4 Stars
For a cover song to merit existence, it should enhance appreciation for the original and bring an entirely new manner of seeing, feeling and hearing the song.
Thursday, 1/31: Public Enemy and The Roots
The Trocadero, All Ages
Go down to Chinatown and catch the Artists For Heat benefit concert, featuring hip hop legends Public Enemy and The Roots and a special DJ set from Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest.
With the Comcast Center (now the tallest building in Center City) nearing completion, Philadelphia continues to lose its quaint charm in favor of a new-found love for the grandiose.
Jellyfish
Spilt Milk
1993
A brute force of power pop, the glam rockers of Jellyfish were overshadowed by flannel-clad grunge bands popular at the time of their '93 release of Spilt Milk, a symphonic gem that features heavily layered guitars, organs and Queen-like harmonies.
Thursday, 1/31: Public Enemy and The Roots
The Trocadero, All Ages
Go down to Chinatown and catch the Artists For Heat benefit concert, featuring hip hop legends Public Enemy and The Roots and a special DJ set from Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest.
The Starlight Ballroom was designed for dancing. As you walk into the place, a disco ball throws deceiving patterns of colored light on the wide dance floor, informing you that you didn't come here to stand still.
Thursday, 1/24: Dave Elkins & Kevin Devine
North Star Bar, all ages
Head out to the North Star Bar for a night of acoustic jams with singer-songwriters Dave Elkins (frontman of the band Mae) and Kevin Devine.