search citypaper.net
  


Founding Fathers
The experts at Philly's new Foundry label want to make good music and good money at the same time.
-A.D. Amorosi

Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan returns to Newport.
-Nate Chinen

Mixed Messages
Electronic music pioneer Mark Farina puts it all together.
-Sean O’Neal

Tomas Jirku
-Sean O’Neal

The Catheters
-Paul Burress

August 15-21, 2002

musicpicks

Hey Mercedes/Koufax



By jettisoning their math rock pretensions for something more melodic, Hey Mercedes is also breaking with its past -- as three-fourths of emo-pioneers Braid. Elements of their former self peek out at intervals on their 2001 debut, Everynight Fire Works, but from the crisp production to the more restrained, tuneful vocals, everything about Hey Mercedes points in a poppier, more palatable direction. The makeover is nothing as dramatic as Pat Boone's foray into metal; indeed, much of the dynamism of Braid's guitars is retained with buzzing, anthemic chords cut by understated, linear leads counter-pointing the quartet's busy rhythmic pulse. At The TLA this Monday, they're joined by the bouncing keyboard-heavy sound of Koufax. Usually found on the musical continuum between the prog-rock '70s and the new wave '80s, Koufax appears to stake out new territory on their forthcoming album, Social Life (Vagrant). Dropping in a few dollops of hometown Motor City soul, the music showcases greater heft, a more muscular, infectious mesh of guitars and synthesizers, as well their best songwriting to date. The new approach stands out as the year's best revelation since Dubya choked on a pretzel.

Mon., Aug. 19, 8 p.m., $10.50-$12.50, with Piebald, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000.

-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there
Recent Comments
Web Exclusives
Repertory Film
Your weekly guide to local film events, festivals and under-the-radar screenings.
Tim Hecker
Sat., Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m., $12 with Aidan Baker, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com.
Something Good
DANCE REVIEW: Fräulein Maria
Icepack
Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.


search restaurants by name
search by neighborhood
Search
search by cuisine
title
theater

Search
search for:
within:   of  
more jobs
(use zip or city, state)
Search
"Great vision without great people is irrelevant."
—Jim Collins, Author,
"Good to Great"
In Partnership with JobCircle
start date / /  select date
end date / /  select date
category
keyword
Search Buy Concert Tickets
Category:
Keywords: Search

Search Real Estate

ALL | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN

or

LOCATION:

ADVERTISEMENT