Drink Up Buttercup - Born and thrown on a hook (Yep Roc)

Philly kids, and one of the most locally buzzed bands in the past year "Drink Up Buttercup" release debut full length on Yep Roc records and it is finally growing on me.

"Born and Thrown on a Hook," begins with "Seasickniss Pills," a trippy rocker sending nods to Philly's "Dr. Dog." With the help of producer, "Bill Moriarty," (Dr. Dog, Man Man) it is no surprise that these guys are reminiscent of an "Easy Beat-ear-Dr. Dog." For the first song on the record, I don't feel "Seasickness" sells the band's strong points and neither does the second noise track "Animate the Hangtime," ringing in at 56 seconds. There are a few of these "filler" tracks on the record, but don't let that scare you away just yet, in this generation of song/please/now/quick or I'll select another song on my ipod! Track 3, "Young Ladies," is the start of where I think the band showcases their strength. Eventhough some of the lyrics are a little too cliche "all the ladies wearing necklaces of pearls," the melody, the carousel instrumentation, the huge vocal sound, and white album-esque chorus, saves it entirely. When you think the verse is about to end, it jumps ahead another few bars of staccato piano before that dreamy chorus winds back up. Well done.

Other key tracks, "Gods and Gentleman" with more of those reverb filled harmonized vocals sweeping through each big chorus, and the sad waltz of "Lovers Play Dead" whose melody and fat tambourine takes you to the funeral procession, are superbly done. The band returns to the cabaret sound of "Young Ladies," again on "Sosey and Dosey," and to Beatles territory with "Mr. Pie Eyes," and "Maestro Monsignor" which reminds me of an indie rock take on "Elanor Rigby."

I think "Drink Up Buttercup" is good band, and definitely one of Philly's finest. For their first release there is some "magic," here. The vocals are superb. I think with a little more songwriting editing, a great album is in their future. When you take a band, (and I hate to compare them yet again) like "Dr. Dog," with whom it took a few albums to craft their sound, I think these fellas are following in the their footsteps/paws.

The Score: 6.5 Liberty Bells
The Math: Dr. Dog x the White Album + a night at a carnival = Born and Thrown on a Hook

Los Campesinos! at Johnny Brendas - 10/12/2010

So Fall has fallen, and what better way to enjoy a cool Autumn night than to be packed in like sardines at Philly's cornerstone of music snobbery, "Johnny Brendas." Los Campesinos returned to Liberty City for their 4th time (I was there for their first, in case you didn't know how hardcore I am) so it was time I check in on these "youngsters."

The band was TIGHT. The great performance began with the opening mid-tempo "In medias res," the opening track from their newest LP "Romance is Boring." Not the way I would open the show, but maybe they were saving the fierce attack for the 2nd song, and that it was, they tore into "Death to Los Campesinos," followed by "Miserabilia." Speaking of "We are beatiful we are doomed" the band also performed that title track and "Ways to make it through wall," all personal favorites of mine," and it was obvious the crowd felt the same.

For the 13 song set (give or take) the energy level clearly rose during the songs from that record the tracks from "Hold on now youngster," where I felt like the floor was going to cave the fuck in from people jumping up and down during, "You, Me, Dancing." Also, followed by "My year in list," and closing with "Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks," with frontman, "Gareth Campesinos" doing half of the song from the crowd.

The dualing electric guitars, violin, 3 part harmonies and sometimes 7 part vocals were superbly done by this now, "8-piece" band. It seems as thought they added a multi-instrumentalist taking more of a percussive role in the band. "Los Campesinos" do what they do, EXTREMELY well for a stage plot so congested. And I must say, for a girl next door looking bassist, "Ellen Campesinos," plays that bass as good as any tough, male, indie rocker I've seen to date, and looks way better doing it.

The Score: 8 out of 10 bells
The Math: tight crowds + Kensinger + tweecorepopmelodies = L.C. & J.B.'s