Album of the Week: Hop Along – Bark Your Head Off, Dog Bark Your Head Off, Dog by Hop Along Philadelphia indie rock act Hop Along has creative versatility beyond their contemporaries. The band amplifies the singer-songwriter aesthetic with powerful sounds glistening with genuineness. It’s a mix of folk, ‘90s alternative, punk and power-pop that soothes the senses. Their fourth album Bark Your Head Off, Dog came out on Apr 6 via Saddle Creek Records and is a testament to their musical evolution. There’s a certain fearlessness in each song. What makes this album different from Hop Along’s previous releases is the involvement of string instruments. The violin throughout the album is a fantastic addition. Frances Quinlan’s vocals combine with guest backing vocalist Chrissy Tashjian (from fellow Philly act Thin Lips) for amazing harmonies. Frances’ brother Mark is the anchor on drums while Joe Reinhart provides perfect chords on lead guitar. Bass guitarist Tyler Long keeps it all together with solid bass lines backing everything up. Usually when a band shifts towards acoustic instruments, a drop-off in emphasis is expected. Hop Along maintains their trademark intensity in their new album, proof of how talented they are. There’s also a fine balance between the electric guitar riffing and the stripped-down tones. The variety of volumes makes for a captivating listening experience. For further examination, give a gander to my top tracks off of the Album of the Week: “Prior Things” is a gem that’s also a prime example of the string instruments’ resonance; the violin gives a dose of artistic beauty while Quinlan’s lyrical melodies are stunning. Starting off with a somber vibe, “Not Abel” progresses into a forceful jam due to the chorus emloying those harmonies mentioned earlier. Reinhart’s techniques in “How Simple” are impeccable: he rips a solo halfway through that’s a wonderful addition. Hop Along will be playing in New England twice with a gig at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke, MA, on May 2 and another at the Royale in Boston the following night. While you’re at the show, grab a copy of the new album. The ears will get the experience of listening to a kickass band that’ll make you an instant fan. Bandcamp: hopalong.bandcamp.com Facebook: facebook.com/hopalongtheband Album of the Week: Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – Dirt Dirt by Yamantaka // Sonic Titan Very few bands these days have a way of taking the senses to another world. Both visually and musically, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan from Toronto have the ability to do that while becoming one of the most inventive acts of the decade. They refer to their style as “Noh Wave,” which is a pun on Japanese Noh theatre and New York City’s No Wave scene of the early ‘80s. Their third studio album, Dirt, came out on Mar 23 via the Canadian indie label Paper Bag Records, and it consistently brings out thunderous riffs and beats. It also marks a transition for the band in terms of membership as well. In June 2015, founding member and lead vocalist Ruby Kato Attwood left along with guitarist John Ancheta. With their departure, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan brought into the fold vocalist Joanna Delos Reyes and guitarist Hiroki Tanaka. The change made them into a dynamic entity of aural excellence. Reyes’ voice is magnificently powerful while Tanaka, bass guitarist Brandon Lim, drummer Alaska B, backing singer Ange Loft and keyboardist Brendan Swanson come together to form a battalion of sound. Their complex rhythms and structures make the new album into a gem that excites and energizes. To say Yamantaka // Sonic Titan is unique is a vast understatement. They all wear facepaint and, along with being a touring rock band, are also a theatre group that specializes in performance art. It’s an amazing amount of artistic versatility that’s absolutely impressive. This band is doing things that no one else is conceiving and the originality is refreshing. For an in-depth look, check out my top tracks off of the Album of the Week: An excellent representation of the complex rhythms and structures is “Beast” – Tanaka’s guitar techniques dominate and the electricity is contagious. Alaska B’s machine gun drumming is evident while listening to “Yandere,” a fast-paced introduction into a forceful jam that’ll invade the eardrums. “Hungry Ghost” will put you in a trance with the harmonies from Reyes and Loft. This incredible act will be performing a sold-out hometown show at The Garrison in Toronto on Mar 29, but their only New England appearance on this tour was a few days ago at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA, on Mar 25, so you missed it if you weren’t there. Let’s hope they roll through the region soon because, with their visuals and sounds, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan must be incredible live. Until then, grab a copy of Dirt. It’s not your typical kind of rock music, but that’s what makes it so great. Bandcamp: ytst.bandcamp.com/album/dirt Facebook: facebook.com/ytstlabs Top 20 Albums of 2017 (Because 10 Wasn’t Enough) To say that 2017 was a wild year for music is a vast understatement. As a reaction to the current administration in the White House, various musicians took a political stance to oppose the views of a president with questionable values. Ranging from singer-songwriters like Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy to major bands like the Foo Fighters, there were numerous acts that wrote songs about the current political and social landscape. The music world was also shaken by the passing of legends Tom Petty, The Tragically Hip’s Gordon Downie, Chris Cornell, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Gregg Allman. This year has shown that music can still be a reflection of the times, despite how scary these times may be. In Providence, the local music scene has seen people from various ethnic backgrounds and different orientations starting bands. Whether it’s hip-hop, punk, metal, folk or anything in between, it’s adding a glorious dose of diversity to a community that prides itself on being so. The music scene has also been resilient despite the closing of a few venues: RIP Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, Aurora and Firehouse 13. There are a lot of questions being asked about the sustainability of the city’s music, art and culture, and we’re still waiting on the answers. With all of this being said, here are my Top 20 Albums of 2017 (Because 10 Wasn’t Enough). 20. SydeSho – SydeSho the Maestro (self-released) SydeSho the Maestro by SydeSho Providence native Oliver Arias, also known as SydeSho, is a blast from the past in terms of hip-hop. He can breakdance like a maniac and he can spit rhymes with the best of them. His debut album SydeSho the Maestro that came out in March had him teaming up with producers Cognate and F.L.E.E. the Maestro. It’s a stellar album that celebrates hip-hop’s roots with a respectably modern spin. Tracks like “Get Up” with vocalist Becky Bass, “Excuse Me” and “Better Than Yourz” featuring fellow emcee Big Scythe prove that mumble rap is whack and the real style is coming back. soundcloud.com/sydesho/excuse-me-prod-flee-the-maestro 19. Weaves – Wide Open (Kanine/Buzz/Memphis Industries) Wide Open by Weaves There’s something awesome about rhythmically tight and quirky alternative rock. It possesses an honesty that other genres can’t hold a candle to. Weaves from Toronto hit this on the head with their sophomore album Wide Open released in October. Jasmyn Burke has a uniquely soulful voice that has stunning range: “#53,” “Walkaway” and “Law and Panda” are prime songs off this record that are abundant with melody and energy. weaves.bandcamp.com/track/law-and-panda 18. Pile – A Hairshirt of Purpose (Exploding In Sound) A Hairshirt of Purpose by Pile Indie rock act Pile has such a distinct take on music that it’s hard to pin them down to classification. They can sound like a post-punk act at one point, then they’ll go full-on noise, and finish a track off by venturing towards math rock. Their versatility is what makes this act from Boston so great and their sixth album A Hairshirt of Purpose that hit record store shelves in March could be their most brilliant release yet. It’s unapologetically intense while providing an electrifyingly awesome listening experience. Turn it up loud and listen to songs like “Hissing for Peace,” “Texas” and “Leaning on a Wheel” to get amped. pile.bandcamp.com/track/hissing-for-peace 17. Ron Gallo – Heavy Meta (New West/American Diamond) Heavy Meta by Ron Gallo Moving to a new city can change an artist. They’ll adapt to new kinds of music and then they’ll put their own spin on it. Philadelphia native Ron Gallo went through that transition after the Americana band he was in, Toy Soldiers, broke up and he moved to Nashville. He got into the garage rock scene there and released a badass debut album with Heavy Meta in February. Wakefield, RI, native Dylan Sevey plays drums in his band. “Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me,” “Kill the Medicine Man” and “Please Yourself” are definitive scorchers. rongallo.bandcamp.com/track/kill-the-medicine-man-3 16. Alexandra Savior – Belladonna of Sadness (Columbia) Belladonna of Sadness by Alexandra Savior A breath of fresh air came from Portland, OR, artist Alexandra Savior when she put out her debut album, Belladonna of Sadness, in April.