W, by The Basement Boys

Artist: Basement Boys
Album: W
Genre: Punk rock, Lo-fi
Location: Philadelphia
RIFYL: Dead Milkmen, (old) Modest Mouse, Tribute

DISCLAIMER BEFORE THE REVIEW STARTS:

HELLO EVERYONE! I am actually alive! I haven't been writing because I've been busy with the crippling insanity that comes with being a college student. As well as the crippling amount of homework. That being said my last review was a week ago, and I should be able to review more albums and such regularly starting next week on monday.

That being said, let's get on to the review.

BASEMENT BOYS "W":

Last week I reviewed the new LP by a very talented band called Frontyards, and although I wasn't a fan of that band's sound specifically, this other band put together by a few members of Frontyards is a bit more my speed. Basement boys are a local philly band, that combines the Lo-Fi sound of the indie rock scene here, with the fast upbeat stylings of old 80's indie rock/punk rock like the Dead Milkmen.

The sound production on this LP is more like a demo if anything. The vocals range from screaming about high school, to quiet dronings and melodic "ooos." The vocalists on the album are very talented, and know how to form a harmony. The guitars are slightly out of tune at times, but at certain points it works on songs where they really try to emphasize that "dead milkmen"-esque sound. However, the guitar tracks can also be very pretty, and reminiscent of modest mouse, especially on the songs Alright and Come on. The drums and trombone are what sound the best on this LP, and I really dig the bass grooves whenever you can hear them.

The different interludes that occur throughout the album are pretty ridiculous, and have a very improv/aqua teen hunger force-esque vibe to them. That being said they can be a little much at times (I believe I heard chips being crunched on at one point), but that being said they definitely add character to the album.

Anyway I can't wait to hear more from The Basement Boys, and I hope that they are able to start playing more shows in the scene soon.

I give it a 8/10
https://thebasementboysmusic.bandcamp.com/album/w

People That Look Like Their Pets

Artist: Frontyards
Album: People That Look Like Their Pets
Genre: Lo-Fi, Indie Rock, Garage Rock
City: Cheltenham PA
RIFYL: Pixies, Wavves, The Strokes

Frontyards are a quintet composed of Will McGoran, Donato, Max, and Giancarlo Pignetti, and Frank Mostoller. Each one of them plays multiple instruments on the album, as well as sing, so honestly you can tell there's a lot of talent in the band already.

People That Look Like Their Pets is the debut full LP by Frontyards, whom hail from the suburban area of Abington County, PA, and reside in Cheltenham High School. It's pretty impressive that a couple of high schoolers from close to home could release a full LP, and amass such a huge following out here in the city, and for that I also give them a ton of props. They put on a good live show, and are tons of fun to listen to at a show.

The album however, really isn't my thing. It's well produced, and it sounds amazing. Each member is obviously talented, and can play their instruments very well. The vocals are okay, but are a bit underwhelming, and honestly come off a bit generic and kind of feel like every other band in the scene at the moment. I get what Frontyards is trying to pull off on this LP, and they're all a bunch of really talented, good kids, but some of the lyrics come off a bit pretentious (the lyrics for New York, for instance), and some instrumental choices are just a little unnerving, like they synth bass in Undone. However, the parts of the album I did like were the classic rock n' roll influenced tracks that happened to appear here and there throughout the album, like When You're Gone and You're The One I Love, especially the doo-wop parts. People That Look Like Their Pets is probably the most interesting track on the album, as it's this random funk song that totally comes out of nowhere, and it's got this awesome horn part. The sad part is that it's only a minute long, and is the only different sounding track in the spacey, lo-fi aura of the album.

Otherwise though, I feel like this is a very underwhelming LP, and has a few too many cliches of the Philadelphia lo-fi scene. I think that it's awesome that these guys are out playing, and making amazing music at such a young age, and I probably could never have written anything this interesting back then, but I think that it's kind of bland. The guitar sounds great, the drums and bass are mixed well, but the vocals are very drone-y and reverb-y, and kind of just all mesh together on each song. The ideas are definitely here on the LP, but I think the band's sound still needs some work. If you're into spacey, lo-fi indie rock, with a classic rock sound, then I totally recommend the album for you. However, if I could suggest one thing to the band, it would be to stop drowning the vocals in reverb, and maybe have some faster songs to displace the slow songs. A change in tempo and pace is always nice, and helps keep the listener interested!

Anyway, I give the band's first full LP a 6/10, not because I think the album is terrible, because it's a very good album, but rather because garage-rock/lo-fi stuff is not really my thing.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thebasementboysmusic?fref=ts
Bandcamp:
https://frontyards.bandcamp.com/releases

no by row

Artist: row
Album: no
Genre: Midwest Emo, Screamo, Twinkly Hardcore
City: Lancaster, PA
RIFYL: Merchant Ships, William Bonney, Snowing, Midwest Pen Pals

Row is an interesting band entering the Philly scene, due to the fact their one of the few recent midwest inspired screamo acts I've scene around here. This is surprising due to the fact that Philadelphia was once the thriving center of midwest influenced emo/screamo/mathrock bands like Snowing and Modern baseball, with plenty of other bands coming in from New Jersey with that particular sound. It's a bit refreshing actually to see some more of this sound, especially more in the vein of Snowing and William Bonney.

Row definitely has sound down. The vocalist is either very conversational in his vocal melodies, or either screaming at the top of his lungs in his high register, much akin to John Galm of snowing, either following the guitar parts or drums rhythmically. The guitar and bass are intricate and they are exactly what fans of the genre are looking for; clean, lots of delay, and spacey as well as mathy in rhythm. The twang of fender guitars is certainly running rampant among the strings. The drums are very consistent, and the bass helps fill out any empty space.

I like what you guys are doing, and I can't wait for the next release!

8.5/10

facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/rowbecray?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
bandcamp:
https://rowbecray.bandcamp.com/

Pink Guy, by Filthy Frank NSFW

Album: PINK GUY
Artist: (Pink Guy) Filthy Frank
Genre: Comedy. Hip Hop, Straight Fire
RIFYL: Gorillaz, Del The Funkee Homosapien, Death Grips, Lonely Island
Recommended Track(s): Ramen King, Do The Salamander, Fried Rice

So for april fools day, I figured I would review a comedy album. This is my first NSFW review, and I'm going to warn you, do not let small children hear this album, not because of adult content, but rather the immature sexual jokes, dope beats, and sick rhymes. This album is a comedy album, but not for the contemporary listener. Imagine, the lonely island but soaked in the most disgusting crevices of the internet flesh-bridge (4chan, r/ImGoingToHellForThis for starters).

Now for those of you who are not familiar with Filthy Frank, here is a little taste of what's to come:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAY9CNkKOsg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sdtFJvDsuE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOSF9YCfTB8

And finally...
The most infamous...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK1JRtoBY3Y

That's right. Welcome to the rice fields motherfucker.

Hailing from the far west coast, Filthy Frank (real name unknown), or as he was known in his earlier days as youtuber Disastamuzik, is an Australian-Japanese comedy vlogger. Filthy Frank has been hailed as one of the most infamously NSFW youtube phenomenons out there, using shock comedy, political-incorrectness, and pure unadulterated randomness as his platform for internet domination. Frank has also been known for creating different characters for his video blog show, the most famous being Pink Guy, who made his debut in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vJiSSAMNWw

And from that point on Pink Guy, Frank, and the other... erm... colorful assortment of characters have had youtube held at gunpoint, pointing out the bullshit of society, the internet, and american culture. Frank himself comes off as someone considered mentally unstable to live in regular society, or as a ranting and raging misogynist, but in actually is just playing a character. In most of his videos that attack this persona, he usually makes fun of said people who can't tell that he's just playing a part.

Now that you have a background of the album itself, and the artist, let's take a look at Pink Guy's debut album PINK GUY.

PINK GUY is probably one of the funniest albums on the internet. And just like the randomness that is Filthy Frank, PINK GUY was released last May, unannounced as a free downloadable LP. It is 37 tracks long (each track lasts between 1-3 minutes, some even less than a minute), and is definitely a byproduct of the show. Songs range in content from sexual intercourse, to inside jokes from the show, and the occasional ukelele acoustic song (covers of Bitches Ain't Shit, and Fuck Tha Police). And although the raps can be VERY repetitive in content, the album's jokes can be fresh, but not for everybody, as some can be very offensive, or at times a bit too much, such as It's Okay To Eat Whales, or Kill Yourself.

The samples used on this album sound very good. The piano roll on Ramen King is very reminiscent of old west coast rap, and works as a great way to start the album. The drum loops are punchy, and the synth beats can be a bit shitty, and the ukelele numbers sound surprisingly clear and pretty. Whoever mixed this album, (most likely Chin Chin) really has their work cut out for them. And Filthy Frank's lyrics/raps are fucking hilarious, and are just as good as watching the actual show. Although he's just as offensive as he is (lots of racial slurs, misogyny, and disgusting toilet humor), he makes a point of making the album work as a whole parody of the shitty mixtapes some asshole may send you every once in a while. The album sounds like an idiot with nothing to say because it's supposed to, which in itself is brilliant.

Either that, or it's supposed to just be lyrically awful.

There are a few songs I have issues with, because even though Filthy Frank is about using bad taste to be funny, the songs that specifically are about suicide, are honestly a bit much. The lyrics are a bit overboard, and some people may feel a bit uncomfortable when listening to those songs.

Otherwise, I think it's a solid comedy rap LP, and a mixtape that's straight fire.

7.5/10

ey b0ss:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVyFy61SP4U

Don't go in his twitter or facebook page. Save yourselves the trouble.

Young Professionals, by A Day Without Love

Artist: A Day Without Love
Album: Young Professionals
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Genre: Emo, Punk Rock, Alternative Rock
RIFYL: Brand New, Modest Mouse, Panucci's Pizza

A Day Without Love is the emo/punk rock brainchild of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Brian Walker, with additional help from producer/former lead guitarist/bassist Jake Detweiler, and drummer Andrew Ryan. There's a lot to be said about the album sonically, considering the variation of instrumentation. You have everything from fast in your face electric guitar and drums, to snapping, clapping, and strolling down the street-esque acoustic guitar. Not only that, but Walker's vocals are very clear, and you can easily hear every sarcastic line about love, and every emotion in his voice on some of the heavier electric songs.

Detweiler and Walker are very talented guitarists, and the album shows off their chops well. Walker's songwriting ability is also at an extremely high level because everything on this album feels very sincere, and very thoughtful. And when you get to emotional songs like My Sober Friend Became a Monster, you feel the solemness in Walker's voice. The little segues at the end of songs that sound disjointed actually help the album stay together, like at the end of My Sober Friend Became A Monster (yes I'm using the same song twice as an example), and actually keep within the overall tone of each song, which seems to be about love and loss.

Whatever is going with this project needs to continue, and I have high hopes for Walker on his future endeavors!

I rate it a 9/10 would listen again.

bandcamp: https://adaywithoutlove.bandcamp.com/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adaywithoutlovemusic?fref=ts

Etc, Etc, Etc, by Andorra

Artist: Andorra
Album: Etc, Etc, Etc,
Genre: Alternative Rock, Grunge
Recommended Track(s): What Goes Around, Tell Me Father, Ain't It A Shame
RIFYL: Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Nirvana, STP

Andorra is something of an anomaly in the college music scene. In college music's world of underproduced lo-fi, twinkly emo, and hardcore punk, Andorra is rocking something we all thought was long long LONG gone with the 90's. This four piece from Philadelphia is rocking heavy, fuzzy, in-your-face grunge worthy of Dave Grohl's beard.

Now let's take the album out on to the examination table:

The vocals are very clear, and sound glide over everything with fluidity and grace. Kevin McCall really has his work cut out for him on this record, considering he took the more Dave Grohl approach to singing grunge, being that you can actually understand what the hell he's saying. Not only that but he and lead guitarist Sam Carlen are totally in synch with each other, and invoke some very smashing pumpkins/soundgarden-esque riffs on some of the heavy songs like What Goes Around. What's even better is that the fuzzy tone of the heavier parts still comes out very clear for each song. The production value clearly very good.

The drums and bass on this album also have a lot going for them. Drummer Jordan Petrelis invokes a lot of Jimmy Chamberlin-esque fills, and hits just as heavily as Dave Grohl in his Nirvana Years. Michael Trycieckyj is very Nate Mendel esque, in that he helps accent harmony between the guitars and vocals with grace.

Overall, the album has a lot going for it, as well as the band, and I can't wait to hear more from them.

I give it 9 Dave Grohl "the bests" out of 10.

Darla, Forever!

Artist Name: Darla
Album: Darla Forever!
Genre: Instrumental Fusion, Jazz, Funk
Recommended Track(s): Claudia Jean, Where Are My Keys

I have three words to say before I really start this review:

Long live Darla!

This band is probably one of the hottest bands in the philly bar/jazz scene, and probably one of the coolest live acts around. I never had as much of an appreciation for Jazz and Funk until I had gone to see these guys live at The Fire. Everyone in this band has talent, from the backbone talent of the rhythm section, to the overwhelmingly amazing horns section, consisting of mostly Drexel Music Industry students.

The album itself is pretty intense, and has an amazing production value on it, as well as heavy amounts of strong instrumentation on composition. I know what you're thinking: "How can anyone describe Jazz as intense?" Honestly it spawns from mainly the drummer and the guitars specifically on this album. Although it's not just the rhythm section that carries this band, or this album. The horn section knows what they're doing, and each time they entire a song, or take on the spotlight, it's like something magical.

This three track EP is something I have very few words for, because I honestly have no criticism for their work. I also know very little about Jazz, and the whole fusion genre in general, but I know that what the guys in Darla have is something special, and I highly recommend everyone go check out their page!

Rating 10 sexy sax men out of 10.
https://www.facebook.com/DarlaPhilly/timeline
https://darlaphilly.bandcamp.com/