The 518 invaded Brooklyn in a big way on Saturday night, when The Rev’s spiritual siblings Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned closed up their month-long residency at Pete’s Candy Store with special guests Scientific Maps and Matthew Loiacono. The show was precisely what those familiar with the acts would expect: lively, joyful, and packed to the gills. I was left with no choice but to listen incessantly to the most recent record by each artist for the past two days, and I would encourage you strongly to do the same. In order of Saturday’s performances:
Scientific Maps – Hold On Whoever You Are
Written and recorded by songwriter/mastermind Aaron Smith in February 2009 for the RPM Challenge, Hold On is, like all things Scientific Maps, a wonderful pop music achievement. The album loosely tells the story of a man who is captured (By pirates? It’s hard to say.) and transported by ship before cunningly escaping. Equal parts surf-rock and acoustic indie-pop, with beautifully layered harmonies, dancy grooves, and the occasional atmospheric sound effects (no Maps record would be complete without them), Hold On is just as good as Get Off The Moon, and the fact that that’s true even though it was made in one month is a testament to Smith’s seemingly effortless songwriting talent.
Standout tracks: “Wherein We Are Introduced to the Author…,” “With Renewed Vigor…”
(FREE Download)
Matthew Loiacono – Penny Riddle
The Penny Riddle EP continues on the road paved by last year’s Kentucky, which was a dramatic departure from Loiacono’s previous work. This record, like the last one, is the result of a recording challenge Loiacono gave himself; while the many and varied sounds on Kentucky were all made by the mandolin, here the object was to make a collection of exactly-one-minute-long songs. While some leaked over slightly (the EP clocks in at 8:08), Loiacono has succeeded in creating some very affecting and exciting tunes, despite or perhaps thanks to their succinctness. His continued explorations into sound manipulation and sampling are yielding some really beautiful results, and on top of it, you can use this record as a unit of measure. (Ex: writing this blurb took exactly two Penny Riddles.)
Standout tracks: Penny Riddle is decidedly best listened to straight through, and repeatedly. It’s 8 minutes long, guys. You can do it.
(But it – Limited run, move fast!)
Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned – Charles Mingus’ Garbage Pile
Those that have followed Sgt. Dunbar since their beginnings will be awed by their rapid and amazing progress. The differences between this new EP and their previous recording, 2007′s The Thing About Time, are tangible and thorough. Their trademark sound, sort of a skyward-pointing frantic cacophony, has expanded from its freak-folk roots to include New Orleans jazz, stomping rhythms, and gang sing-alongs. The result is more well-formed than ever, the arrangements lush and tight, the execution focused and exuberant. These kids have always lived up to their hype, and the fact that they’re only getting better is at once inevitable and sort of unbelievable.
Standout tracks: “A March Through Charles Mingus’ Garbage Pile,” “Goin’ Nowhere”
(Buy it!)
The time is fast approaching! As we 
Huge news for the Rev: 
