There's This Band

Named The Swimmers.

And I quite enjoy them. Especially this song, in which you can watch the video and find out for yourself why they are amazing.

The Swimmers are from Philadelphia, PA and recently released their first full length album, Fighting Trees was released on March 4 with MAD Dragon Records (affiliated with Drexel Universtiy.)

So listen. I command thee.

AKA: Brittany Needs to Find More Music

So there's three things that everyone should know about me: I like music, a lot (although that should be painfully obvious by now), I love to shop, and I love knowing about places that include both. So naturally, when I was exposed to a place that puts all three of these things in one, I'm going to be entranced. And speechless. Which I was when I walked into AKA Music in Philadelphia. I had no clue what to do with myself.

I tried to contain my excitment (and my dumbfounded look) as I walked through the store, and I browsed through everything since I really had no clue where to begin or what exactly I was looking for. But I will say this: if you go in there and can't find anything, you might have a problem. Their selection spans pretty much every genre from world to rock, rap and hip hop, indie, jazz, big band, local...I'm pretty sure you get my point.

And the prices are what I consider to be quite reasonable, since they deal with both new releases, used CDs, and vinyl. But back to the prices...new releases priced about the same as they would be at your local Best Buy, but the deals come in when you go searching through the used CDs. Their newer selection of used CDs starts at 99 cents. Yes, exactly, only 99 cents. Now, it requires you to have a watchful eye because you have to search through neatly packed boxes, but you can't go wrong. After that the prices go up a bit, but you're able to find that most used CDs are between $5 and $10 each.

So seriously, if you ever take a trip to Philadelphia, or you live there and have never been to AKA Music, I recomment that you make your way there ASAP. Find more information on their myspace site here, or head down to 27 N. Second Street Philadelphia PA.

It's heaven. Promise. Even if it makes you feel like you've never listened to any decent music before.

I Won't Leave You Hanging...I Swear.

Some things to look forward to in the next week from yours truly.

• If you're currently looking for some new music and unsure of where to get it, I've found a place. It's decently priced, and there are so many artists there that even I feel like a music reject.
• In conjunction with bullet No. 1 I'll talk about the John Ralston CD that I came upon. We have a fate-like relationship, I swear.
• And maybe a write up about The Swimmers, whom we should all start to enjoy rather quickly.

These of course will come in no particular order. So sit tight, they'll be out for you sometime this week.

So My Should Have Been...

long winded rant about how extremely upset I was (you have no idea, honestly!) with Death Cab for Cutie not coming to the Philly area at all after their new cd comes out in May shall cease to exist.

Silly me forgot to look at myspace, where they actually have their whole tour schedule posted.

So shall we say that....

June 12, 2008 I'll be at The Mann Center in Philadelphia?

Sounds like a date to me!

Hold On Now Youngsters…Don’t Go Sticking Fingers Into Sockets

So let me explain something. I love crazy sounding music. A lot, probably a bit too much. And when my friend introduced me to Los Campesinos! I pretty much jumped on them and was in love with their music instantly.

The group, from Cardiff, Wales has been together since 2006 and has released one full length album, Hold On Now, Youngster and two EPs, their most notable one being 2007’s Sticking Fingers into Sockets.

Their EP released the single, ‘You! Me! Dancing!’ and it’s a poppy little number that starts off slow and builds into an explosion of musical mayhem that my ears can’t seem to get enough of. Other tracks of interest from the Sticking Fingers into Sockets EP include; ‘We Throw Parties/You Throw Knives’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me to Do The Math(s).’ One thing is for sure, no two songs sound the same.

The full length CD, which was released for digital download on February 25th, 2008 for those in the UK, while the physical CD came out today, April 1st (No joke!) for those of us state-side. Thanks to iTunes, I got a few of the songs back in February, and they don’t disappoint. Hold On Now, Youngster has it’s share of great tracks as well, including ‘Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Broken Breakbeats’ and ‘Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks.’

Although their sounds may not be music to everyone’s ears, give them a chance. If anything, it may strike up the sudden urge to dance around.