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Although the 5-member group The Apparitions hails from Lexington, Kentucky, they are nothing close to a Southern blues band, and they definitely aren't country. Since 2002 they have been playing the indie scene, gaining respect as well as frequent comparisons to bands like The Pixies and The Flaming Lips. Their sound is sort of a spaced-out pop rock with slithery vocals and ring-y guitar arpeggios, which generally don't follow typical chord patterns. It is definitely very fun music, not a dreary/dramatic style, and they don't seem to take themselves too seriously. Consider lyrics like "First there was God, then came the monkey, then came the robot" as an example: simple, clear, and surprisingly profound, great for email signatures or high school yearbook quotes. Their new album, As This is Futuristic, hits the shelves this month. (Appearing with SundayRunners and DJs John Ciba & James Porter at the Hideout on Jan. 28) --text: Billy Kenefick--photo: Mark Cornelison
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Immediately following the release of their 1997 debut full-length, Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka (Relapse), Nile established itself as one of the most unique and punishing extreme metal acts to ever stalk the planet. Heavily influenced both lyrically and conceptually by ancient Egyptian history, culture, and wisdom, Nile frontman Karl Sanders, guitarist Dallas Toler-Wade and drummer George Kollias craft symphonic movements of epic death metal destruction with the precision of classical composers. Their razor-sharp songwriting, extracted from the deepest of tombs to the most skyscraping of pyramids, is punctuated with intricate arrangements of haunting choirs, bizarre African and Middle Eastern instrumentation as well as grandiose cinematic soundscapes that make for a truly exceptional musical experience. Nile's latest work of brutality, Annihilation of the Wicked, is their strongest and most creative effort to date which has elevated the band to the highest heights of extreme metal stardom. (Appearing at House of Blues on Jan. 30) --text: Mike Scales--photo: Scott Kinkade
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Minneapolis-based rockers The Plastic Constellations have certainly found a home full of kindred spirits in New York City's French Kiss Records. The erstwhile home of post-punk poster children Les Savy Fav and Thunderbirds are Now! will be releasing TPC's third full-length effort Crusades in February - and anyone familiar with the label should know exactly what to expect. The record is replete with angular guitar changes and hard-charging rhythms that pack an energy which ought to translate well to a live setting. The choruses bog down at times under the weight of the vocals, which make otherwise energetic passages into mildly draining shout-along drudgery. But while I prefer the manic vocal agility of Thunderbirds Are Now!'s Ryan Allen, The Plastic Constellations still manage to pull off an engaging record that is worth a listen. At the minimum, I've learned not to bet against a French Kiss band on stage. (Appearing with The Life and Times and The Narrator at Empty Bottle on Jan. 28) --text: Don Bartlett
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Say Hi To Your Mom is an interesting project indeed. With robots and intergalactic wit as the subject matter for some of their whimsical narratives, there is an element of inspired warmth from the heart - a sort of acceptable nerdy-ness that's hard to find in indie rock today. Definitely emo (just listen to the vocals) but not uninteresting, all the music is created and recorded by Eric Elbogen on a computer at home. The live shows are the only time the music is performed through a collective. The studio tracks lack the dryness and monotony of the typically safe guitar/vocal accompaniment found in the genre, as Elbogen respects the synth and demands a thick-walking rhythm to guide his sound. In short, Say Hi To Your Mom walks a fine line between experimental rock and pop music by stealing from one and reaching out to the other. (Appearing with The Ladies & Gentlemen and Magnus at Schubas on Jan. 26) --text: Cliff Berru
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