Legs Like Tree Trunks - Live at WPTS [Unsigned; 2011]

Pittsburgh is well known for its hockey, rivers and hills. What its residents don't realize, though, is that a band so wonderful walks the same streets as them. Legs Like Tree Trunks have been popping up all over the Western PA city. On January 12th, 92.1 WPTS hosted a live show of Tree Trunks. Twinkly guitars, upright bass, and stylish drums were synchronized together by the trio, creating poppy-indie-folky-mathy gems that made me wish I could turn time back and listen to the show all over again. Hints of bands like Tokyo Police Club, Dear and the Headlights, and American Football were very much present during Live at WPTS. Matt, Dave, and Tyler opened up the night with "Pushover", a song closely resembling the Kinsella era. "You know just how to hit me/so go on and make it look good", front man Matt Holden belts out from the top of his lungs over magical chord progressions. On "South Hampton" a mixture of guitar tapping and clever drumming prove Tree Trunks' mathy side. However, the real deal in this song comes from bassist Dave Shepard. I honestly don't know how he can move his fingers that fast. The song "Five" is another example of this and has an incredible build up. The sound of Tyler Donaldson throwing himself at his drum set is indeed prevalent. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that Legs Like Tree Trunks is full of talent, a trait needed to succeed in the world of music. "You'll find it's tough to go back/but I know your hearts in acting" is sung again from the lyrical mouth of Holden on "Winter", a sure hit from this band concluding the point i'm trying to make - This band needs to get a full length out, ASAP. Until then, all 9 songs on Live at WPTS will be constantly playing on my stereo.

Website: 

bandcamp

soundcloud

Twitter: 

@LEGSPGH

Upcoming Shows:
1/20 at 360 Ophelia St, Music Thursday

1/29 at Garfield Artworks w/ Motel Motel, Sleepy V

PS - Name your own price!

Sharks Keep Moving - Pause and Clause [Status; 2002]

Two songs, a combined total of just 17 minutes is all Pause and Clause needed to make its point. With previous wonders, Self Titled and Desert Strings and Drifters, being forgotten about due to a three year long hiatus, Sharks decided to release one last record as a final testament to their everlasting talent. "She skirts like a river skirts riverbanks/she smokes her smoke like shes passionately in love" - Singer Jake Snyder scatters his voice over an array of twinkly guitars and flowing bass lines in 11 minute long "Like a River". Technical drum beats weave in and out of Pause and Clause, pushing their sound further into free form jazz territory, giving a sense of both improvisation and structured song writing. Sometimes we hear music and forget about it. Sometimes we hear music and never stop listening to it. I don't know how to classify this, but it's a must.

Download: Sharks Keep Moving - Pause and Clause
Download: Sharks Keep Moving - Desert Strings and Drifters
Download: Sharks Keep Moving - Self Titled

Cage Match - Cave Math [Unsigned, 2010]

Cage Match, from the sounds of their name, seem like some sort of scary thrasher - I'm going to eat your children - kind of band. However this isn't the case. Though Cave Math has a stronger side at points consisting of ridiculous finger tapping and hard shreds, there softer folky-er side isn't going unnoticed. "woah-oah-oah-oah..." is belted out in a harmonious manner on "Sick Beast", singer JT Royster flawlessly layering his voice in a way similar to that of Maps and Atlases. On song two, "The Same Thing", Cage opens strongly with a Minus the Bear-esque kind of thing with upbeat drums and delayed guitars. "We were built to last" he sings - I can only agree, this stuff wont get old with repeated listens. What I'm trying to say here is that Cage's diversity is supernatural. Usually when bands throw a bunch of different sounds onto a record it sounds like shit, but Cave Math is without a doubt flowing vigorously. With an album as good as this, these guys should be touring, especially near my house. Scroll down, take a listen, and be sure to buy this phenomenon.

^^^Purchase for whatever amount of money you feel Cave Math is worth^^^

Dr.StuShip - Delicate Hearts, Diabolical Minds [Unsigned; 2010]

"Everyone had a thousand thoughts, I've got one of 'em" PA resident and good friend of mine, Stu Olshevski, announces in EP spectacle, "Thousand Thoughts". Behind mellow keys and delayed riffs, he transforms himself from a normal high school student into a musical mastermind. StuShip isn't another teenager who found a cool keyboard and decided to call it music, but someone who uses careful consideration along with sincere talent to create crafty, catchy, dream pop. With a sound familiar to Animal Collective's, Fall Be Kind, Olshevski uses reverb and savvy drum beats to capture the listener. "Tell me, do you want to escape here?" he asks on certain sensation "Escape Here", a song with distorted guitar lines and addicting melodies that'll have you singing along within seconds. Simply, Delicate Hearts, Diabolical Minds really proves itself for a debut. Dr.StuShip shows that good music doesn't have to come from record labels or famous artists, but purely from the heart.

Download: Dr.StuShip - Delicate Hearts, Diabolical Minds

Delaise - Bergarage [Unsigned; 2010]

On a cold fall night, local jam band Delaise played a small show in their garage. Brothers Justin and Mike Berger, a powerful duo when combined, along with Phil Cuddeback blew their audience away with sleek build ups and pristine configuration. Energy was bouncing off the walls in the show opener "Mystic Seaport". College kids home for thanksgiving rolled blunts and drank beer while this trio provided musical enjoyment. It's safe to say these kids knew exactly how to have a good time. Personal favorite "Jessup" consisted of strong bass lines behind Justin Bergers uncanny guitar riffs. His fingers should be insured for a lot of money, seriously. It's a rare occasion to see this group perform due to the fact that all members reside in different parts of the country. I was lucky to witness this event and can only hope it will come again sometime soon. Delaise closed the night off with "Butterscotch", a fast paced gem that had fans begging for an encore. Although they didn't provide it, the band was kind enough to upload the show for free. For that, we thank you.

Download: Delaise - Bergarage (11/27/2010)

Girls - Broken Dreams Club [True Panther; 2010]

It's easy to say Girls' recent EP, Broken Dreams Club, has similarities to their previous album. Except there's a hint of maturity added in. Horns, heavy drums, wood blocks, and of course Chris Owens' stunning voice that could break any girls heart. On the third song, "Broken Dreams Club", Girls' down in the dumps tone actually makes you feel for them. "I just want to get high but everything keeps bringing me down" - I'm sorry, Owens, it'll be okay! - However, this is just one of many. Broken Dreams Club, saves the best for last. With one of the sweetest lines I've heard from Girls and one that you'll be humming around your house all day until you fall asleep. I'm talking about the song "Carolina", of course. It starts off with an almost mysterious melody and after 4 minutes of waiting and WAITING, finally Owens spurts out with his strained voice we all know and love, "I'm gonna pick you up baby, throw you over my shoulders, take you away, I'm gonna carry you home, to Carolina". Caution while listening - Chris Owens might actually break your heart.

Download: Girls - Broken Dreams Club

Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell [Saddle Creek; 2008]

Canadian indie rockers Tokyo Police Club have come a long way since their debut back in 2006, "A Lesson In Crime". Though a hit, it was raw and rough. I could sense pressure in this EP that muffled the sound TPC are so capable of. I felt as if A Lesson was missing something. With such emptiness inside me, I went on to forget about the bands first release, only to find my jaw open wide two years later when the world was introduced to "Elephant Shell", an album up there with the best. The energy bestowed upon there debut full-length is ridiculous. Parts are in perfect order. "Elephant shell, you're my cave and I've been hiding out, will you tell me a little bit about, a bit about yourself" Front man, Dave Monks, sings in a distinct tone on "In a Cave". Every time I hear this album I want to open my mouth and scream the words. "The harrowing adventures of you and I before our eyes lit up", Monk projects behind bells and violins in twinkly wonder "The Harrowing Adventures of", another certain hit of the Elephant Shell. It's extraordinary. According to many listeners, though, it was anything but the eighth wonder of the world, and came across as rushed and incomplete. Apparently these boys released this album early because of timing issues, regardless of whether they were "done" or not. However, I could care less about this school yard gossip. I thought the album was perfect. If you ever see me driving 90 down route 202, screaming at my Jeeps windshield, I'm probably singing along to these poppy creations (badly). So don't call the police in fear, I'm just enjoying myself.

Download: Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell