Philadelphia Weekly

Be Your Own Pet

Your average barn owl lives about two years. And in roughly that same timespan the typical "blog-buzz" band goes from the ridiculous mega-hype surrounding the first record to the critical panning and/or the public's indifference surrounding the second (see: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Tapes 'n Tapes, Vampire Weekend in 2009). Upstart Nashville garage-punk quartet Be Your Own Pet's new Get Awkward isn't getting slurped online anything like their 2006 self-titled debut (even though it's better). But the youthful band�--led by firebrand frontgirl (and Karen O acolyte) Jemina Pearl--doesn't seem to give a fuck. Their consistently great, high-energy shows and improving songcraft bodes well for the future. Hell, a few lucky barn owls live past the age of 25. (Michael Alan Goldberg)

Sea Wolf

Contrary to whatever Chuck Klosterman might've implied, the "wolf" bands are not all alike in their aggro misanthropy, nor will they eat your grandmother for supper. Case in point: L.A.'s Alex Brown Church, who performs as Sea Wolf (more akin to Seabear or Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf than AIDS Wolf or Wolfmother). Last year's intimate Leaves in the River is all woozy pillow talk and chamber flourishes for lovers of Bonnie "Prince" Billy, the Shins and Bright Eyes. It hasn't got much in terms of bite, but in terms of depressive ruminations on longing, loneliness and being too tired to fight, Sea Wolf's the leader of the pack. (Caralyn Green)

Sabbra Cadabra + Clitallica

If the four guys in Sabbra Cadabra had spent their waking hours studying, say, computer programming instead of every last detail of Ozzy-era Black Sabbath's songbook, wardrobe and stage presence, they'd probably be Bill Gates-style moguls by now, rather than members of the greatest, most authentic Sabbath tribute band ever put together. But what'd be the fun in that? For 15 years now Sabbra Cadabra have been putting on a show as good as--and often better than--the original, nailing every meaty, evil Iommi riff and drunken, English-accented Ozzy wail and garble. And if there were ever a show worth getting there early for, it's this one: Opening is Clitallica (nee Metallicunt), an all-female Metallica cover band that'll be playing Master of Puppets in its entirety. (M.A.G.)

Joe Lally

Ever since Fugazi ended up deep into "indefinite hiatus," bassist Joe Lally has been able to expand his own writing skills rather impressively. Embracing his love of dub as well as something that bears a similarity to Fugazi's later explorations, Lally has been making compelling and textured music worthy of your attention. Live, the explosive energy of Fugazi is replaced with an inward focus and a more harnessed intensity that's just as appealing as his more famous outings. The jazz influence that skirted the edges of his playing in the past is beginning to find a way inside much of his current output. (John Cramer)

Arborea

Espers' extended family extends well beyond Philly, as proven by Maine two-piece Arborea, whose self-titled second album--just out on the prolific local label Fire Museum--features Espers' Helena Espvall on cello. Both there and on the well-reviewed debut Wayfaring Summer, Arborea nod to obscure British psych-folk, but you needn't own any Pentangle records to dig their hushed, pastoral vibe. Shanti Curran's singing remains pleasantly relaxed, whether wavering over atmospheric dirges ("House of Sticks") or skeletal plucking ("Shagg Pond Revival"). (Doug Wallen)

Dark Meat

Demented, disorienting, perpetually hovering on the edge of barely contained chaos, Georgia's 17-strong Dark Meat are weirdly reminiscent of your average all-American high school marching band--albeit one whose collective Kool Aid has been spiked with several sheets of premium-grade blotter acid. It's as if the Butthole Surfers--while channeling the freewheeling spirit of Albert Ayler--hooked up with Yerself Is Steam-era Mercury Rev, Captain Beefheart and the Stooges at their most demented, and decided to get righteously ripped to the gills on pills, peyote and rotgut tequila. This, in case you were wondering, is most definitely a good thing. Some people dream of growing up and running away with the circus. Personally, I'd like to run away with this bunch of miscreants. (Neil Ferguson)

Forro in the Dark

New York-based Forro in the Dark play traditional Brazilian rhythms tweaked slightly to incorporate electric guitars, some English lyrics and David Byrne's indie rock blues. "Whoa," you say? Well, the Talking Head did contribute vocals to the group's album, but alas, he won't be crossing the country with the band. Nonetheless, with a little waltz, a little salsa and a lot of Brazilian abandon, Forro in the Dark create music that's happy and inspiring. Whether it's a quaint love song or a cheerful and wild dance track (traditional, not the Kraftwerk kind), the band excels at getting even its most stoic listeners to bob their heads just a bit. (Katherine Silkaitis)