jealous again

Algernon Cadwallader

2010-01-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

Take a minute to appreciate fun. When was the last time you had fun? If you answered "Listening to Algernon Cadwallader," then you and I have that in common. If that was not your answer, it soon will be. This Philly emo band gets weighted with lots of comparisons that aren't entirely fair, mostly because comparisons are for lazy writers and it does nothing to describe how the music sounds. Cap'n Jazz is mentioned in the same breath as Algernon in almost every review, and while there is similarity (vocal phrasing and that certain mathy guitar note style some have come to refer to as "twinkly), they stand on their own three instruments. If they are stylistically similar to the Schmap'n Schmazz, their tone is almost entirely different. Where Cap'n Jazz would write about youth and emotional vulnerability from an almost opaquely personal standpoint, Algernon's songs take a playfully narrative approach that is more optimistic than introspective. The narrative nature of their songs often prevents choruses, though they do have melodic motifs that warrant shouting along almost every time. One of their best assets is that they can write emotional lyrics with a sense of humor. And sometimes they just want you to know what they think about frog spit. They're for it!

Order their new 7", Fun, from Be Happy Records. It includes a coloring book.
Look Down (Because the Ground Is Easier to Understand and Doesn't Take So Much Work to Figure Out But I'd Rather Not Know Where I'm Standing and Have An Idea of What Life Is All About)
Spit Fountain

Slackin'

2010-01-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

Due to foreseen and preventable circumstances, Jealous Again was not updated for an extended period of time. My bad.

Alex Kerns

2009-10-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

Alex Kerns, the foxy drummer/vocalist from Buffalo's leading (only?) power-pop band Lemuria, has just released a pretty rad demo. You can download the whole thing from here, a great website that is entirely worth an afternoon's exploration. Back to Alex, most know him as the baritone male vocal to Sheena's mousy crooning in Lemuria. This release sees him left to his own devices, and my, he has some nifty devices: short songs with catchy as hell pop sensibilities that never outstay their welcome. The lyrics are centered around romance, familiar territory but done with a strong sense of humor and reality: honesty without artificial sweetner. This demo EP is something many would count as an official release. And while it's certainly good enough to be, this drummer turned one-man power pop band could have an even stronger full-length record in him.

Demented

Staph

2009-08-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

STAPH is an emo band from Chicago. Their latest and only release, "Keys EP," a 3 track blast in the face, just so happens to be one of the best records I've heard all year. It is unbelievable that this band is still only playing for crowds of 10 give or take, they are sure to develop a following in the very near future. Given their emo-of-yore aesthetic they could very easily be featured on fourfa.com but they still have a grocery store produce aisle fresh sound. Speaking of which, the production of this EP rules, rough around the edges but very warm. STAPH is definitely an infection to keep an eye on.

Keys EP

Marine Girls

2009-08-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

Marine Girls were a twee pop band from Herfordshire, England. Despite being English they actually managed to make terrific music. They had already broken up by the release of their second record, Lazy Ways, and they haven't reunited so their legacy remains untainted. The record's minimal yet warm tracks are sprayed with a nautical motif and lovelorn lyrics. And fortunately, instead of forcing the dub tendencies typical of other early 80s English girl bands (The Slits, The Raincoats, The Clash, etc) they opted a more jazz inflected route which suited the band's sparse easygoing style and accentuated their unique rhythms. Marine Girls politely underline how terrible basically everything else from England is.

Second Sight
You Must Be Mad