Music

Last March, the release of “Break it Yourself” strongly redefined Andrew Bird’s sound, featuring melodic pop hints and multifaceted song lyrics.
November 9, 2012 at 4:26 pm

Lulu Gainsbourg’s debut album “From Gainsbourg to Lulu” is startlingly bad.
November 9, 2012 at 4:22 pm

While Cee Lo Green is certainly not the first jolly, portly man most people associate with Christmas, his sparkly new Christmas album “Magic Moment” certainly brings the holiday cheer.
November 9, 2012 at 4:18 pm

Who's playing Philly this week.
November 8, 2012 at 5:33 am

Though Halloween is over, Kylie Minogue’s saccharine album “The Abbey Road Sessions” certainly has the capacity to induce a sugar coma.
November 8, 2012 at 5:32 am

The second of two 2012 releases from Public Enemy, “Evil Empire of Everything” marks the hip–hop icons’ 12th studio album.
November 8, 2012 at 5:27 am

But maybe it shouldn't.
November 8, 2012 at 5:20 am

Penn's got everything from a capella to DJs, but where's the (non–frat) rap? The "Initiative" provides.
November 8, 2012 at 5:15 am

November 5, 2012 at 11:46 am

A new location breathes life into Penn’s former record shop.
November 1, 2012 at 5:32 am

Make your trip to The Marvelous a full–on adventure by stopping by some of Philly’s most diverse locations.
November 1, 2012 at 5:20 am

Calvin Harris has got the formula down with his newest album, “18 Months.” The Scottish DJ’s catchy electro beats have high energy and low experimentation, but they clearly work based on the popularity of two familiar tracks, “Feel So Close” and the Rihanna hit, “We Found Love,” both of which aren’t by any definition new — but they appear on the album anyway.
November 1, 2012 at 5:14 am

What’s the one word to describe “Psychedelic Pill”? Bland — Neil Young’s 35th studio album churns out a monotonous repetition of forgettable guitar riffs and tacky lyrics.
November 1, 2012 at 5:12 am

It’s always a good feeling — or, at least, a holistically satisfying feeling — when you leave a show with your ears ringing, covered in equal parts your own sweat, other people’s sweat, and beer.  That was the case after walking out of the basement of the First Unitarian Church near 21st and Chestnut after the Titus Andronicus show, opened by hardcore –favorite Ceremony. While Titus Andronicus is often grouped in the post– and pop–punk families, their musical influences are just as strongly rooted in indie rock.  A lot of their fans were well into their twenties and preferred to inconspicuously bob their heads and sip their microbrews, while the younger crowd raucously danced right up next to the stage.  Ceremony, on the other hand — a band who probably would have headlined at a more strictly punk show — brought the pissed–off adolescents in droves.  The mosh pit immediately got underway when Ceremony took the stage, complete with kids running on stage and singing into the mic until someone else got up and tackled them — not necessarily my scene, but it was fun to watch Ceremony play some of their best songs from 2010's “Rohnert Park.” Titus Andronicus released their new album, “Local Business,” only a couple days before the show, so naturally they did a few new songs to show off the material.  The bulk of the show was taken from their album “The Monitor,” with which the crowd was extremely familiar.  Songs like “Richard II” had everyone in full sing–along mode.  They played an extremely long set — well over two hours — that vacillated between slow build–ups and rocking choruses.  The crowd was extremely receptive, as has been typical at First Unitarian.  The show was a great mix of two bands different enough to have distinct sets, yet with enough cohesion to not feel incongruous.
November 1, 2012 at 5:12 am

Batten down the hatches and turn up the subwoofers, at least until the power goes out...
October 28, 2012 at 7:45 pm

With the release of "Allelujah!
October 25, 2012 at 5:14 am

With the release of her pensive new album, “Red,” Taylor Swift  shows off a more mature version of herself.  The record's only anti–boy rant is the cutely cranky “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Everything else — such as the dubstep–esque “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “The Last Time,” a surging duet with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody — is adult.  Both “22” and “Starlight” are about the timelessness of youth.  The perky “Stay Stay Stay” mentions groceries and settling down.  And “Everything Has Changed,” a raw duet with Ed Sheerhan, is a graduation into the indie coffeehouse jams of the thoughtful twentysomething.  She’s still wholesome, lively, and genuine, but she’s older — and she’s seeing anything but red. 3/5 Stars
October 25, 2012 at 5:12 am

In previous years, SPEC has brought indie rock groups to campus for its annual Fall Concert, but this year they decided to switch things up with neo–soul singer and all–in–all classy dude, Mayer Hawthorne. When Cheers Elephant, the local opening act, stepped onstage, audience members stayed cool and composed in their seats, waiting for the music to start as if waiting for a movie to play.
October 25, 2012 at 5:09 am

The oldest all–male musical comedy group in the nation is backed up by one of campus’ best bands.
October 25, 2012 at 5:05 am

Who’s Playing Philly This Week
October 15, 2012 at 5:09 am