Ohio’s Old Worlds offer a sound that is decidedly chill and not much else. Not that that’s a bad thing, but there is little adventure to be found in the three tracks on their Myspace page. None of the songs build toward anything incredibly grandiose as one might expect or hope, but instead plateau at a more somber place, and for that reason, their music might be considered more dream pop than progressive. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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.

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Everybody squeeze into your skin-tight acid washed jeans, tease up your hair as high as physically possible, strap on your studded bracelets, and hop into the Trans-Am. We’re about to get totally wasted and crash this mondo party on the Sunset Strip. That’s right dudes and dudettes, it’s time to Rock Hard or Die, and Joe Steel is providing the soundtrack. With the killer licks and shredding solos on this EP, there’s no better music to thrash to while chugging a sixer. 

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Have you ever been so completely enraged with anger that you just wanted to dance your ass off until the break of dawn? If so, then Team Robespierre has the perfect music for you. This Brooklyn band brings the most upbeat form of angst ever delivered through music. Their unique style of electro-punk is just as fitting for the dance floor as it is for the mosh pit; a strangely perfect blend of shouting vocals, 16-bit synthesizer riffs, and pounding rhythms.

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Details: March 8^th at Jae Deli (97 Stanton Street between Orchard and Ludlow), 9:00 pm, FREE! 

The tour will be returning on April 2^nd to Pianos so mark your calendars for another yummy show, and check out the video below for a taste of their flavor (would you believe me if I said no pun intended?).