One man punk outfit goes out with bang


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LCD Soundsystem, the gargantuan punk-dance-pop project of James Murphy, has been a highly dependable source of tunes that blur the line between innovation and accessibility. Over eight years and throughout two albums, Murphy has operated in this area as an antihero of hip. On This Is Happening, his third and allegedly last album as LCD […]

Multitalented rapper’s debut shows versatility and stand-alone talent


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A quick glance at the track list for B.o.B’s debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, might seem as if the Decatur, Ga., rapper was simply using his widespread connections in an attempt to increase sales. The record features prominent mainstream artists — T.I., Lupe Fiasco, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Hayley Williams of Paramore […]

Long Beach foursome delivers with impressive debut


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Here’s a band with respect for its musical elders, playing sincere pop rock with a steadfast dedication to freak-folk delivery and a pleasant penchant for irony. Thus far, the band described is of a pretty standard garage band ilk these days. So what sets Avi Buffalo apart? For starters, its song “Summer Cum” is potentially […]

The Coachella experience


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Coachella is always a desert transformed — an oasis for the noisy, the avant garde and those who get down and dirty. This year, business executives and punk rockers commiserated in the name of rock ‘n’ roll, electronica and hip-hop — anything to make their head spin, hands clap or hips shake. For first-timers, the […]

Coachella leaves indie roots in the dust


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“We’re very excited to be here tonight,” Grizzly Bear’s Ed Drost said to an ocean of fans Friday at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. “LCD Soundsystem, Jay-Z, Fever Ray … Is it too much?” he asked with a grin. The answer turned out to be yes, actually. The January announcement of the festival’s […]

All that jazz


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Pianist and jazz studies major Emily Intersimone starts off USC Thornton School of Music’s annual senior recital season.