By: John Mabery
Rating: 9/11

The name Animal Tropical conjures up images of a place that's warm and wild, and the boys of Miami’s Animal Tropical sound like they’re having a blast on Doom Years (2009).  The six-song EP is auditory overload, filled with a plethora of sounds and bending genres while still managing to flow seamlessly from track to track. 

Upon first listen, it’s almost hard to believe the band takes itself seriously enough without being labeled as an art-rock parody.  I mean, how could you when the band sings about Dairy Queen and booty-calls in “Twenty Miles?”  But in Animal Tropical, the musicianship is so intricate that one has to appreciate their ability to have fun and still maintain their cool factor while doing it.

Click here for the full review.

By: Liz Levine
Rating:8 /11

The Art of Shooting pull their generally shoegazy tendencies through filters of girly innocence and hard rock. The tracks on their first full-length album, Traveling Show (unsigned, due out April 2010) swoon and swirl with noisy guitars and an enveloping haze, but in that sea they’ve always got a handy life preserver tight around their waists. Their potentially contrasting styles make for compelling shifts in mood that work well, largely due to the strength of singer and main songwriter Kelly Irene Corson.

Click here for the full article.

By: Ross Edwards
Rating: 7.5/11

The Andy Arnold Trio’s Eleven Windows may receive a relieved sigh from listeners as it starts in familiar, welcome territory. Arnold’s “Das Klavier” has a tone, compositional approach, and band improvisational style like Wayne Krantz’s trio, or Pat Metheny’s on “Bright Sized Life,” and the same vocal-less guitar, bass, drum instrumentation. 

Click here for the full article.

Sasquatch and the Sick-a-billys (left) bring their psychobilly mix to O'Brien's (the perfect venue for them) on Thursday. Watch out for flying beer bottles, and puke (no, seriously). With them are old time rock'n'rollers The Egos. Shows at O'Brien's are 21+, and this one is $8.

Also at O'Brien's, this Saturday You Lion celebrates the release of their EP End It On The Bridge. They are sandwiched between openers Nassy, and the mighty Piles headlining. Piles are a mostly instrumental 3 piece with hard hitting drums and Slint dynamics. This is a rare show for them, and not to be missed.

Sunday night, you can catch the recently reunited Shore Leave playing a free show at The Middle East Downstairs. Their brand of math-rock isn't just technically impressive, but it is also hooky - you might recognize their tune "Water" on a commercial for WBZ-TV news. Joinig them are Air Traffic Controller, and Mugison (from Iceland) - the whole evening is a part of the Taste Of Iceland event.

By: Liz Levine
Rating: 6/11

Jer Coons is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter who pens straightforward, satisfying pop of the teen-crush inducing variety. His songs speak of lessons and heartbreak and girls, his voice smooth and inoffensive with a very mild tang that helps to deliver the lovesick, sweetheart persona. The compositions won’t be breaking any boundaries or blowing any minds, but they do achieve that pleasing catchiness that makes it easy to nod the head and wait for the enjoyable payoffs.

Click here for the full review.