A-Side:
Vita and the Woolf – Anna Ohio (Local)
I interviewed Jen Pague from Vita And The Woolf for The Key about 3 years ago, right before they were putting out their debut record, TUNNELS. Since then, Pague has moved across the country, signed with Tender Loving Empire, and has now released Anna Ohio, the next chapter in the Vita And The Woolf story. The record itself is a travelogue that spans the country, a spectral balance between indie-rock and synth-pop. “Confetti” also works on two planes, balancing the pros and cons of a partying lifestyle. -Tyler
Dear Forbidden – Before The Night Expires (Local)
Female fronted grunge-rock trio, Dear Forbidden, released Before The Night Expires last week. Contributing writer, Brian Walker interviewed the group which you can check out HERE. To keep us on our toes, the band writes brisk transitions for focus tracks like “Invisible Corset.” It’s disguised as a sweet 90’s melody that heel turns into a noise rock number, throwing song form out the window. The drums are massive on this EP. Steph Brettman is a beast behind the kit. The 2:30min mark on “Pledge (2020)” is animalistic. Those triplets, JEEZ! –Kevin
I had been hearing great things about Dear Forbidden, the Philly-based grunge-punk act (I mean, all you have to say to me is “Philly-based grunge-punk act” and I’m already all in). It seems like their new EP, Before The Night Expires, has been a long time coming, and it was definitely worth the wait. This band makes ferociously great punk-rock that feels specifically Philadelphian, and if you are familiar with that genre (Philly Punk!), then you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. -Tyler
Sophie Corran – “I Could Be Your” (Local)
Local singer-songwriter Sophie Coran cannot be stopped by COVID-19. Over the past few weeks, Coran has been releasing a steady stream of excellent singles, the latest of which is the soulful “I Could Be Your.” It’s a delicate but powerful tune highlighting the powerful relationship with her band, which includes the guys from Trap Rabbit. -Tyler
B-Side:
The Killers – Imploding the Mirage
Like Joe Pesci’s character from Casino, The Killers bring the east coast to Las Vegas. Heavily inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s workin’ class, blue collar sound, the group doll up heartland, rock ‘n’ roll with flashing neon lights and carry it with the weight of a high stakes poker game. Remaining founding members, Brandon Flowers and Ronnie Vannucci Jr., circle back to the deserts of Nevada with focus tracks like “Caution.” Every great roots rock song has “I gotta get out of this town,” themes. Like Springsteen longing to escape Freehold, NJ, while marveling at the “mansions of glory” on “Born To Run,” the same sentiments ring true across the US as Flowers sings, “If I don’t get out of this town, I just might be the one who finally burns it down, I’m throwing caution.” –Kevin
To tell the truth, I’m kind of shocked how much I love a new Killers record in 2020. After the disappointing Wonderful, Wonderful from a few years ago, I didn’t think anything much when they announced new music. And then I heard “Caution,” which is probably the top played song on my Spotify this year so far. The Killers are always at their best when they channel Springsteen, but this time around they’ve used modern collaborators who also cite Bruce as an influence to pump up the volume (specifically The War On Drugs’ Adam Granduciel and producer Jonathan Rado, who funnily enough put out a lo-fi tribute to Born To Run a couple years ago, and it’s actually pretty good.) The thing that honestly shocked me the most about Imploding The Mirage was the strength of the entire record. Even the non-singles stand out, especially the two features; k.d. Lang lights up the bridge of “Lightning Fields,” and Weyes Blood brings new life to a dancey “My God.” The title track too delivers a perfect coda to an album full of little surprises. –Tyler
Bright Eyes – Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was
In 2011, Bright Eyes called it quits and went on a hiatus. During their break, Connor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott ventured off into their own respective solo projects. The band began teasing new music on Instagram in January. Locally, it seems that acoustic performances are the only way musicians can play out anymore. A stripped down, indie record from an old favorite is good for a “rock guy” (like me) to feel inspired to break out the Martin as opposed to the SG. We are learning to pivot in these strange times and Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was has been particularly influential in that regard. Focus tracks include “Dance and Sing” and “Stairwell Song.” –Kevin
I didn’t start getting into Bright Eyes until a couple years ago. I knew some of the “hits” from Wide Awake, but I was drawn in by the slightly maligned The People’s Key for some reason (I like when Oberst rocks!). So when he and the other Bright Eyes boys started leaking singles from Down In The Weeds, I was instantly hooked. On a full listen, this new Bright Eyes record is “slow,” which is in no way an indictment. This record is a fully orchestrated and achingly beautiful tribute to the way life keeps pushing you down as you get older, and fully highlights why Oberst is so beloved. Also, “Marianas Trench” kicks ass, which is a weird thing to say about a Bright Eyes song. –Tyler
The Front Bottoms – In Sickness & In Flames
The Front Bottoms put out In Sickness & In Flames last week and topped it off with a release show at Citizens Bank Park’s Live In, Drive In series. The band’s record Talon of the Hawk takes me back to my college years. Drexel basement kids would always cover “Twin Size Mattress.” In Sickness & In Flames opens with Brian Sella singing, “everybody blooms in their own time.” I’ve bloomed well past the tropes and sensitivities of the Front Bottoms because they haven’t matured along with their audience. I find a lot of similarities between Sella and Hobo Johnson. Both lyrical delivery and content seem to revolve around how sad they are for being a jerk to you THAT ONE TIME. Oh, boo hoo. –Kevin
The Front Bottoms seem to be a band that makes music that some people enjoy. –Tyler
Bully – SUGAREGG
SUGAREGG is Alicia Bognanno’s first run at making Bully a solo project with accompanying members rather than the original trio. In context with other 2020 music releases, it was highly comparable to The Beths’ Jump Rope Gazers especially songs “Every Tradition” and focus track, “Prism.” SUGAREGG is a how-to instructional guide for navigating soft verse and loud chorus dynamics. Bognanno’s raspy high range vocal reminds me of Tommy from the rugrats. LOL. -Kevin
Bully fucking rocks. I was obsessed with their first record Feels Like from about 5 years ago, and I gotta say, SUGAREGG hits those exact same pleasure centers. If you’ve been feeling angry or sad lately in any way, put on this new Bully record and jump around a little bit. Trust me, it works. –Tyler
Other Releases:
The Lemon Twigs – Songs For The General Public
Lewis Del Mar – AUGUST
Old 97’s – Twelfth
Every week, Kevin & Tyler will take a look at 5 singles (The A-Side) and 5 albums (The B-Side) and report back on Kev & Ty's Record Club! - Reviewing last week's records today!
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