New Philly Alternative Hip Hop: Chiddy Bang

Ever since I bought Illmatic at the age of fourteen, I have been an avid listener of hip hop music. Soon enough, I began listening to more hip hop artists such as The Wu Tang Clan, KRS-One, Rakim, M.O.P., Gangstarr and the list goes on and on. In the early days of my listening to hip hop, I focused more on that raw New York-style hip hop, commonly referred to as "hardcore hip hop." As I grew older and learned more about hip hop, I started getting into more alternative-sounding hip hop such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, A Tribe Called Quest, etc. In recent years there has definitely been a change in hip hop music where artists such as Kid Cudi and Kanye West are bringing a new sound to it by mixing other genres such as electronica and rock with with it. It was only very recently that I discovered this alternative hip hop group who come from my college called Chiddy Bang. While conversing with a fellow student about music, I learned that there was this amazing alternative hip hop band who had been sitting right under my nose. Sampling everyone from MGMT to Radiohead to even Tom Waits, Chiddy Bang bring a unique sound to hip hop by using classic samples and electronica. I would even say that listening to their music really reminded me of electronic artists such as Passion Pit and Animal Collective who I am in love with at the moment.

The group consists of front man Chidera "Proto" Anameg, keyboardist Noah Beresin, drummer Zach Sewall, and vocalist and guitarist Pat Braz. I still can't believe that they went to my school and are younger than me. Listening to their witty lyrics and sick production make you believe they are much older. I can't even really pick a favorite song but some great songs include "Truth," "Opposite of Adults" and "Ice Cream Man." Check out their myspace page and find out where they are playing because I am sure they are amazing live. One of my favorite songs has to be "Because" probably because they sample one of my favorite bands of all time-Radiohead. So if you're ready to listen to some new hip hop artists with actual talent take a listen to Chiddy Bang!

Dance Pop: Alphabeat

I don't really listen to pop music too much...I mean I will always find at least one catchy song on the radio but there is no way I will end up buying the full album. However, a few months ago I was reading one of my favorite blogs and stumbled upon Alphabeat, a Danish pop band consisting of lead singers Stine Bramsen and Anders SG and could not stop listening to their music. Not only is the music incredibly catchy, but it is actually really good pop music. When getting ready for a night out, I put some of their fun and upbeat songs on. Kind of reminding me of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, this band sounds very 80's dance influenced. The male and female harmonies only enhance their sound and add a new twist. I know that in Europe this band has become more popular but have yet to hear them here even though their sound is very radio friendly. So if you are getting ready for a night on the town or just want to dance around, go ahead and listen to this fun pop band!

Here are a few songs I love:

Boyfriend

Fascination

10000 Nights of Thunder

What is Happening

Raw and Gritty Indie: The Dutchess and the Duke

It usually takes me a long time to get into music...I have to listen to an artist a few times to really understand their sound and what they're about. However, recently I listened to one band that drew me right in from the get-go and that unbelievably talented band is The Dutchess and the Duke. This Seattle based duo take you back in time and remind you of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, and the list can go on and on. When I listen to one of their songs, I feel its familiarity. Music which makes you feel that comfortable is hard to find. Also, any artist who reminds me of those folk legends is good in my book. The Dutchess and the Duke are a good listen for young listeners who are really not familiar with the music from the 60's and the 70's because they epitomize everything amazing about that time with a modern indie twist.

I would definitely characterize their music as raw and sort of bluesy kind of like The Black Keys (who I am in love with). It is not hard to understand why this band is so good, after all they hail from and from one of the biggest indie rock scenes in the world-Seattle. Many great bands have come from Seattle. But, now the sound of Seattle indie music is different in that it tends to focus on being more acoustic and folk sounding as opposed to being grungey. In fact, Seattle is probably one of the biggest musically gifted cities in the world as many great indie bands such as Death Cab for Cutie and Fleet Foxes hail from there. Take a listen to this AMAZING duo and let me know if you believe they are legends in the making.

Hands

Reservoir Park

Let it Die

Philly's Finest Hip Hop: The Last Emperor

When I started school in Philadelphia, I was really into underground hip hop music and randomly stumbled upon one of the most unique lyricists in the game named The Last Emperor. Straight from West Phildelphia, the Last Emperor is unlike any rapper I have ever heard. I was truly shocked when I began listening to him because he was incredibly articulate and lyrically deep and philosophical. Speaking of life after death in the amazing song "Heaven", the Last Emperor raps about "kicking it with Sammy Davis Junior", "listening to Hendrix on guitar", and "talking politics" with Malcolm X. In the song "One Life", he speaks of a friend dying and wondering what happens after one dies. Not only are his lyrics amazing, but his production parallels that of 9th wonder by sampling many old R&B music and using amazing instruments such as the violin. In the ridiculous song (in a good way), Jungle Cats, the Last Emperor makes up a story about "the cat people" who once inhabited the earth. In Secret Wars, he sets up battles between comic book characters and hip hop legends and imitates rappers such as Common and Busta Rhymes.

Although the premise of some of his songs are out there, one can only hand it to him for being such a creative rapper. If you want to listen to hip hop songs about money, girls, and bling, The Last Emperor is not for you. One can only wonder how this nonconformist rapper is not well known. Be prepared to be shocked when you listen to one of my favorite rappers of all time!

Take a listen to some of my favorites:

Black Magic

The Great Pretender

Karma

Tiger Trail

Caravan

Unconventional Indie Rock: Liars

There are certain bands that defy conventional genres of music and experiment more frequently than others. One band that fits this standard is called Liars which began in 2000 by Angus Andrew, Aaron Hemphill, and Julian Gross. In the beginning their style fit more the dance-punk category but every since then, they have been dramatically changing their style from album to album (they have five so far). It is not your traditional indie music and it might take you a little while to really get into the band because they are so different. Liars really give art punk a good name and they refuse to stop changing and experimenting their musical style. Each time you listen to a new album, you will think you are listening to a completely different band and yet you will still be familiar with some of their dance-like vibes. However, Liars music has almost a spooky and dark vibe and it will take you into another world. Just listen to Plaster Casts of Everything and you will know exactly what I am talking about.

Take a listen:

Protection

Sailing to Byzantium

Houseclouds

Broken Witch

Indie Romance: The Good Life

Like anyone else, I have had my share of failed romances and one thing that has helped me through those times has been music. Of course, every musician sings about love and heartbreak but one band that I recently have began listening to called The Good Life sings about more frequently than some other bands. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, The Good Life started out as a solo project by Cursive's lead singer, Tim Kasher who built the band to include Stefanie Drootin, Ryan Fox, and Roger Lewis. I love bands which have both male and female singers and The Good Life uses them to their advantage just like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as well as The Arcade Fire. It almost feels as though you listening to two different bands because of the switching of the singers. For example, in the song Album of the Year, Tim Kasher sings about his heartbreak and then in Inmates, Stefanie Drootin goes on to talk about her complicated romantic life with her lover. Basically, the whole album focuses on the rise and demise of a relationship and anyone who has been in a relationship can empathize with everything the band speaks of. In "Lovers Need Lawyers," the main character defends himself against rumors about possibly cheating on his lover and uses metaphors to describe how he feels as though he is on trial (hence the name of the song). The Good Life are a really easy listen because they are more acoustic and because they are very relatable. Whenever you are in the mood to listen to romantic indie music, take a listen to The Good Life.

Indie Folk Rock Pioneers: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

I was sitting in my living room casually chatting away on the internet with my good friend when he sent me a link to a performance by a new band he really enjoyed. The band my friend was referring to is called Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros who are in a league of their own. The ensemble band is led by Alex Ebert who was previously in the power pop band Ima Robot. Their first album called Up From Below was released in July of 2009 although they have been performing since 2007. Ebert imagined a messiah like figure named Edward Sharpe who he claims "was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind...but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love" proving how unconventional this band truly is. Ebert then met Jade Castrinos in Los Angelos and toured the country with a group of musicians in a white school bus.

Made up of a staggering ten musicians, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros combine country, folk, and rock with some neo-psychedelia putting out songs that cross boundaries. In their song "Home," Alex Ebert begins by whistling the melody when Jade Castrinos begins singing "Alabama, Arkansas/ I do love my Ma and Pa/ But not as much as I do love you" which may sound like cheesy lyrics to some but I find their lyrics endearing. In fact, the band seems to be essentially child like and whimsical-sort of modern day hippies which is reflected in their clothing and musical style. The band sings about love, solitude, personal privacy and family which is shown in dream-like "Desert Song" in which Ebert sings about wanting to make decisions on his own. Although some of the songs have dark undertones, most of the music really just puts me in a good mood and is fun and energetic. So pass the peace pipe and listen to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros!

A Legend in the Making: Jemini the Gifted One

I have always loved hip hop music. Although embarrassing now, my first full length album was Mase's Harlem World in sixth grade. As I grew older, I became more and more obsessed with it and began to think of myself as sort of an "expert." There was a time when hip hop music was in its prime and there were many new rappers who actually had talent. However, in recent times, this has all changed because hip hop music has been so commercialized that it lacks what it possessed in its past such as great lyricism and production. But, in the past year, I have began listening to some older and more underground hip hop music that still retains what the mainstream hip hop has lost. This has led me to discover a rapper who blows my mind away with his delivery, lyrics, and his beats.

The man I am talking about is Brooklyn native Jemini the Gifted One (real name: Tommy Smith). After releasing the promo-only EP Scars and Pain in 1995, Jemini has become more popular with underground hip hoppers. In 2003, Jemini parterned up with producer Danger Mouse to put out the album Ghetto Pop Life which as its title alludes to is more pop-driven than his EP. Yet, this does not take away from the genius of Jemini-he truly is the gifted one in every sense of the word.

To listen to some great hip hop by Jemini click on the following links:

Funk Soul Sensation

Scars and Pain

50 MC's in a Cipher

Story of My Life

Can't Stop Rockin (Fat Laces Mix)

All That Jazz: Thelonious Monk

During my first year at college, I became friends with a number of people who were all music industry majors. One of my closest friends at the time introduced me to a man he revered-that man was Thelonious Monk. Thelonious Monk is a jazz pianist and a composer who is known to be one of the most unique and original jazz artists of all time. Born in North Carolina, Thelonious Monk is considered to be the founder of bebop (a style of jazz music). He did not get any respect during the first few years of his career because he had an improvisational style that had its own unique sound. Nevertheless, after starting out in the 1940's, Thelonious Monk stuck to his own orginal sound and began putting out classics such as "Round Midnight"and "Epistrophy."

Later on in his life, Thelonious Monk gained more critical acclaim and worldwide recognition when he joined John Coltrane performing in a quartet. Following this feat, Thelonious Monk signed with Columbia Records and was even featured on the cover of Time. Towards the end of his life, he became mentally ill but that did not take away from all the music he gave to jazz lovers over his long career. Although Jazz music is not for everyone, I hope you give it a chance and listen to some of my favorites which include "Ruby My Dear," and "Blue Monk."

A Symphony of Sounds: The Arcade Fire

When I first was shown the song "Wake Up" by The Arcade Fire, I was instantly blown away at the diverse instruments that composed their special sound. They have the usual guitar, bass and drums but also add piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, keyboard, French horn, accordion, hurdy gurdy, harp and the mandolin. With a shocking seven members led by the husband/wife duo Win Butler and Regine Chassagne this Montreal based band has been around since 2003 showing off their unique and untouched sound. It is almost as if an orchestra and traditional rock band have combined to make up a band with such explosive sounding music.

Their first album Funeral came out in 2004 and shows off their sound better than their second album Neon Bible which came out in 2006. Their lyrics focus on topics such as death, family, and love telling of their emotional upbringings. Some songs such as "Crown of Love" are sad and speak of heartbreak while others such as my favorite which I mentioned earlier "Wake Up" are bursting with a choir of vocals and uplifting instrumentation. If you want to listen to an amazing band with diversity you have probably never seen in a band, check out The Arcade Fire!

Philly Power Poppers: Free Energy

If you're feeling like listening to something pop orientated and upbeat, you need to check out Free Energy. Sounding like Ok Go, another alternative/power pop band, Free Energy blends pop and seventies rock together to make a sound uniquely their own. Headed by singer Paul Sprangers and guitarist Scott Wells, as well as Evan Wells, Geoff Bucknam, and Nick Shuminksy, the band makes radio friendly music that would make any teenage girl go wild. Even with their pop friendly songs, Free Energy has not completely ignored indie rock's tone and the influence of Tom Petty, Thin Lizzy, Journey, and The Cars are heard. Produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, the band brings joy and excitement to the usual dreary indie rock sound. In the track "Bang Pop," one can hear the guitar solo halfway through the song and see that this band is talented. With more practice in developing their own sound, the band will eventually become a Philly favorite. Nationally recognized after the release of their debut album Stuck on Nothing, the band was highly rated in Spin Magazine where they were reviewed as being "excellent." After all, you have to be a little special to be featured in Rolling Stone magazine and to have performed on Letterman. Take a listen to Free Energy!

An Old Favorite: The Pixies

The Pixies are not exactly considered indie music but still have continued to keep the same sound throughout their long and complicated history. The four piece rock band consists of members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal, and David Lovering who were more successful in Britain and Europe than they ever were in the United States. Starting out in 1986 in Boston, the band is said to have been greatly influenced by punk rock which is shown in Francis’s screamish (in a good way) voice. It is interesting to note that the band often focuses their topics on things such as UFO’s, surrealism, violent Biblical imagery, mental and physical instability, and even incest.

Also, one should note that the band disbanded in 1993 and then regrouped in 2004 which has changed their music slightly. Songs like “Monkey Go to Heaven” and “Caribou” shows off their haunting and melancholic sound. The Pixies have been influenced by musicians such as David Bowie, The Beatles and Iggy Pop but what is really special is that they were an influence on one of the most important and talented musicians of our time (at least in my opinion) Kurt Cobain. If this band was good enough for Kurt Cobain, I am pretty sure they are good enough for me.

An Unparalleled Sound: Beirut

Upon first hearing the band Beirut, I was easily and quickly entranced by their music. Beirut is an indie band that began as the solo project of Zach Condon in 2006. They have since released Gulag Orkestar and The Flying Club Cup as full albums as well as numerous other EP’s. The music fuses together Eastern European music, folk, and Western pop to make up a truly exotic sound. This is because Zach Condon was heavily influenced by his time in Europe especially listening to Balkan folk music which just happened to be popular with the Parisian students.
A lot of the songs have this gypsy-ish sound to it which works perfectly with Zach Condon’s deep and drawn out voice.

By sometimes using as many as 19 instruments, you can see how this band plays the intricate melodies that are seen often in Eastern European folk. One can hear similarities to French and Belgian singers Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsburg, and Yves Montand who Condon says have all been influential. Because of Zondon’s interest in European culture, he often names his albums or uses foreign tongues in his songs. When you listen to “Postcards to Italy” or “Scenic World” you can understand exactly what I am talking about.

A Little Something from the Past: Electric Light Orchestra

One day, I was searching online for music, when I stumbled upon an older but less known band called the Electric Light Orchestra or simply ELO. Of course, there are people who grew up when ELO was more popular and know about them. However, for people my age who are in their early 20’s, ELO’s legacy is definitely not as strong as other bands of their time. ELO are defined as a symphonic rock group and are from Birmingham, England. They have since released eleven albums spanning from 1971 to 1986. Their whole sound was based on trying to sound like rock music and classical music combined.

When I listen to ELO, I am reminded of that distinct 70’s and 80’s sound that was much different from classic rock bands such as The Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin. Instead, I hear the melodic harmonies of bands like the Bee Gees who also had that disco-esque sound to them. Probably my favorite song by ELO “Last Train to London” exudes perfectly the sound that I am talking about. It’s more fun and a less serious than other music of the time. You can also listen to songs like “Telephone Line,” “Livin Thing,” and “Evil Woman” which further show off their sound.

Music's New Treasure: The Cold War Kids

The Cold War Kids are an indie rock band that have been around since 2004 but did not really create any buzz until recently. After starting out in downtown Fullerton, California the band released their first EP Mulberry St. Ristorante and then the more popular Robbers and Cowards. Most recently, they released Loyalty to Loyalty growing as artists while still retaining their earlier sound. Band members consist of Nathan Willet (lead vocals, piano), Jonnie Russell (guitar, vocals, percussion), Matt Maust (bass guitar) and Matt Aveiro (drums).

They have been influenced greatly by Bob Dylan, the Velvet Underground, and Radiohead which shows in their poignant and heartfelt lyrics. Often they focus on topics such as redemption, lost love, and even suicide. One of the more unique aspects to this band that sets them apart from other bands is Nathan Willet’s bluesy voice which is reminiscent of Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin. The fact that the band has very diverse sounding music and subject matter also adds to their appeal. Reminding one of the great rock bands of the sixties and seventies, the Cold War Kids go from the melancholy “Hospital Beds” in Robbers and Cowards to the intense “Every Valley Is Not a Lake” from their newest album Loyalty to Loyalty.

It is refreshing to finally see a band that puts so much heartfelt effort into everything from their instrumentals to their lyrics-something that is lacking in today’s bands which tend to focus on materialistic and often tiresome topics. Sometimes it’s really hard to deny the fact that a band is so unique and so talented. Definitely check their videos and songs out: here and here.

Indie Pop Rockers: The Format

The Format is led by Arizona duo Nate Ruess and Sam Means and have been around since 2003. They have released two studio albums, Interventions + Lullabies and Dog Problems as well as numerous other EP’s. The band is not very indie sounding per se as much as it is pop and alternative rock sounding which only adds to their appeal. After listening to pretty much every song on their albums, I can safely say that all their songs are either great or border on great. Not only are songs like “The First Single (Cause A Scene)” catchy but they are often musically intricate.

Similarly, their lyrics are deep and talk about things such as friendship and unrequited love. In songs like “I’m Ready I am” they have lyrics that reflect these topics:

“I’m nicotine, I'm coming clean, I fooled the crowd when I made it sound like I was more then ready strike up the band, deprive
My sleep cause theres no love like apathy the bell that tolls rings loud enough that it should have woke us up.”

Clearly, having a more pop orientated sound does not take away from the bands musical genius.