Concert Review: Dr. Dog at Eletric Factory 2/1/14

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There really is nothing quite like a Dr. Dog performance. If there’s any band that can instantly turn my mood around, it’s them. I was lucky enough to catch the band for my fifth time at the Electric Factory. February 1st’s show was their second of two sold out shows in Philly and the energy from the night before carried into this show as well. The Pennsylvania locals played a high octane set that lasted almost two hours. The entire range of their albums were covered, including “Say Ahhh” from their 2002 album Toothbrush to singles from their latest release entitled B-Room.

Crowd favorites like their Architecture in Helsinki cover of “Heart it Races” and “Lonesome” had the entire room singing along. Vocalists Toby Leaman and Scott McMicken took turns with belting out their respective songs as well as joking around in between tunes. They also expressed their gratitude for Philly’s overwhelming support of the band through the years. During their encore they had the Philly Phanatic join the stage during “Oh No.” Steve Marion from the opener Saint Rich joined the band as well to solo on “Easy Beat.” Marion is also the mastermind behind the band Delicate Steve.

Overall, Dr. Dog did not disappoint the sold out crowd at the Factory. They will continue their extensive tour that goes well into March in support of B-Room.

Top Played Artists1/21-1/27

1 JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW – Post Tropical
2 DAMIEN JURADO – Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son
3 TOY – Join The Dots
4 DADS – Pretty Good [EP]
5 TENNIS – Small Sound [EP]
6 DOG BITE – Tranquilizers
7 HIGH HIGHS – Open Season Deluxe Edition
8 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
9 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
10 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
11 FLASHLIGHTS – Don’t Take Me Seriously [EP]
12 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
13 BLACK HOLLIES – Somewhere Between Here And Nowhere
14 GOOD OLD WAR – Live From The City Of Brotherly Love
15 STEPHEN MALKMUS AND THE JICKS – Wig Out At Jagbags
16 SKY FERREIRA – Night Time, My Time
17 DROWNERS – Drowners
18 PAINTED PALMS – Forever
19 SAINT RICH – Beyond The Drone
20 THEE OH SEES – Singles Collection, Volume 3
21 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel [EP]
22 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
23 SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS – Give The People What They Want
24 MILOSH – Jetlag
25 CIBO MATTO – Hotel Valentine
26 PEGGY SUE – Choir Of Echoes
27 AUTUMN DEFENSE – Fifth
28 WARPAINT – Warpaint
29 HABIBI – Habibi
30 FUZZ – Live In San Francisco

Top Played Artists 1/14-1/20

1 TOY – Join The Dots
2 JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW – Post Tropical
3 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel
4 TENNIS – Small Sound
5 PAINTED PALMS – Forever
6 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
7 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
8 THEE OH SEES – Singles Collection, Volume 3
9 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
10 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
11 MARIJUANA DEATHSQUADS – Oh My Sexy Lord
12 SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS – Give The People What They Want
13 YUCK – Glow And Behold
14 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
15 SKY FERREIRA – Night Time, My Time
16 CULTS – Static
17 FUZZ – Live In San Francisco
18 HIGH HIGHS – Open Season Deluxe Edition
19 SEASICK MAMA – Tip Top Shape
20 THAO AND THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN – We The Common
21 BEEDEEGEE – Sum/One
22 DAMIEN JURADO – Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son
23 MILOSH – Jetlag
24 LONELY FOREST – Adding Up The Wasted Hours
25 GRISWOLDS – Heart Of A Lion
26 LA LUZ – It’s Alive
27 BLOOD ORANGE – Cupid Deluxe
28 BIG TREE – My, How You’ve Grown
29 HISTORY OF APPLE PIE – Out Of View
30 HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER – Bad Debt

Concert Review: King Krule at Johnny Brenda’s 12/7/13

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by Kirsten Becker

I could be the biggest King Krule fan I know. Since discovering him in 2011 I have been completely obsessed with his completely unique brand of music. King Krule is largely a “love it or hate it” kind of artist, but there’s no denying his incredible talent. Archy Marshall, the 19-year old mastermind behind the project has created a sound all his own. His thick South East London accent doused in heavy reverb combined with hip hop beats and minimalist guitar riffs creates an almost dream-like kind of music. For someone so young, it’s almost astounding how intricately crafted each song on his debut LP 6 Feet Beneath the Moon really is.

Marshall’s December 7th stop in Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda’s was part of his first headlining tour in America, so it was obviously something I had been looking forward to for sometime. To add to the excitement, the show sold out months beforehand.

TOPS opened the show with their 60s-inspired indie rock sound. The Montreal band features ethereal and breathy vocals from Jane Penny over punchy pop guitars and drums. They played songs off of their first full length album, Tender Opposites, which came out last year.

Entering the stage at a little past 11 PM, King Krule took control with their moody brand of indie rock. The band played most of their songs from 6 Feet Beneath the Moon as well as some tracks from their 2011 self-titled EP, most notably the single “The Noose of Jah City.” The dim lighting added to the band’s dark aesthetic and Marshall’s frantic dance moves were a sight to see.

What really shone through was the talent of the band overall. Each member had fine tuned each riff and melody, everything just seemed to click. The show was definitely one of my favorites that I have yet to see. It is looking like things can only get better for King Krule, the wild success of his first album has catapulted him into the spotlight for sure.

Top Played Artists 1/7-1/13

1 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel
2 TENNIS – Small Sound
3 CULTS – Static
4 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
5 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
6 YUCK – Glow And Behold
7 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
8 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
9 PARQUET COURTS – Tally All The Things That You Broke
10 OF MONTREAL – Lousy With Sylvianbriar
11 DALE EARNHARDT JR. JR. – The Speed Of Things
12 MARIJUANA DEATHSQUADS – Oh My Sexy Lord
13 WHITE FENCE – Live In San Francisco
14 BLOOD ORANGE – Cupid Deluxe
15 HEAD AND THE HEART – Let’s Be Still
16 GRISWOLDS – Heart Of A Lion
17 ANTHONY GREEN – Young Legs
18 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
19 CUT COPY – Free Your Mind
20 TITLE FIGHT – Spring Songs
21 DARKSIDE – Psychic
22 THEE OH SEES – Singles Collection, Volume 3
23 SHY GIRLS – Timeshare
24 SALLIE FORD AND THE SOUND OUTSIDE – Summer
25 GROSS GHOST – Public Housing
26 PIXIES – EP-1
27 ALBERT HAMMOND JR. – AHJ
28 POLICA – Shulamith
29 LA LUZ – It’s Alive
30 CHEAP TIME – Exit Smiles

Top Played Artists 12/31-1/6

1 CULTS – Static
2 TENNIS – Small Sound
3 WOODEN SHJIPS – Back To Land
4 DUCKTAILS – Wish Hotel
5 OF MONTREAL – Lousy With Sylvianbriar
6 LOS CAMPESINOS! – No Blues
7 ANTHONY GREEN – Young Legs
8 DARKSIDE – Psychic
9 YUCK – Glow And Behold
10 BLOOD ORANGE – Cupid Deluxe
11 PHANTOGRAM – Phantogram
12 RADICAL FACE – The Family Tree: The Branches
13 CUT COPY – Free Your Mind
14 POLICA – Shulamith
15 HEAD AND THE HEART – Let’s Be Still
16 KRAAK AND SMAAK – Chrome Waves
17 GRISWOLDS – Heart Of A Lion
18 ST. LUCIA – When The Night
19 NO JOY – Pastel And Pass Out
20 FUZZ – Fuzz
21 NOBUNNY – Secret Songs: Reflections From The Ear Mirror
22 DESTROYER – Five Spanish Songs
23 GRIZZLY BEAR – Shields: Expanded
24 DANNY BROWN – Old
25 HIGH HIGHS – Open Season
26 BLACK BOOKS – Black Books
27 DIANE COFFEE – My Friend Fish
28 WHITE DENIM – Corsicana Lemonade
29 GRINGO STAR – Floating Out To See
30 DR. DOG – B-Room

Top 50 Albums of 2013 (according to Liquid Courage Media)

Our lovely Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Shannen Gaffney, also writes for Liquid Courage Media. This is their list of the top albums of 2013, co-written with Isabel Imperatore (in alphabetical order).

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Allison Weiss – Say What You Mean
Allison Weiss’ No Sleep Records release, Say What You Mean, was an uplifting take on the more depressing moments of being a teenager-to-twenty-something. The first track, “Making It Up,” outlined the uncertainties of defining a relationship. Our favorite is the breakup pop tune “How to Be Alone”.

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Beyoncé – BEYONCÉ
BEYONCE released a self-titled “exclusive visual album” on iTunes in the middle of the night without any previous announcement or promotion. Do I need to say anything else? Videos/tracks to check out: ”XO” and “Blue” (and the entire album).

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Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe
If we can use the word ‘groovy,’ Blood Orange released one of the grooviest records this year. “You’re Not Good Enough” encompasses everything you’ve ever wanted to say to your ex, and has been stuck in our heads ever since its recent release.

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Brick + Mortar – Bangs
It’s hard to categorize and describe Brick + Mortar, which is a duo comprised of Brandon Asraf and John Tacon. They combine elements of alternative, electronic, indie, drum and bass, noise-pop, hip-hop, and punk. It’s aggressive, anthemic and catchy. The intense drum and bass parts are overlapped with Brandon’s distinct vocals and instrumentation like synths and guitar.  Listen to “Bangs” and “Locked In A Cage” and you’ll understand.

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Charli XCX – True Romance
Charli XCX was definitely a breakout artist of 2013, and True Romance was one of the best dance pop albums of the year. Her obvious best track was “You – Ha Ha Ha,” but “Take My Hand” and “What I Like” were also equally addictive pop gems.

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