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!

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.