Review: Dinosaur Death Trap EP
Downington, PA’s Dinosaur Death Trap presses all of the right buttons on their debut, self-titled EP. Resplendent guitars, pitch-perfect vocals and a production quality beyond any rational expectation for an unsigned indie rock band, collectively serve as the foundation for a five-track release that feels as if its resided in your back pocket for years. Familiar and accessible, Dinosaur Death Trap’s is a sound that seems destined for an audience beyond the West-Philly suburb that the band calls home.
Opening track “Sticks and Mud” begins with the guttural growl of the bass on full reverb before collapsing into a cascade of perfectly layered “Aahs.” “Cause we don’t dress it up / We know where we’re from” lead singer Dylan Pennell croons with a nonchalant confidence. Keys twinkle beneath a clean, addictive guitar riff. And with that we’re off.
The centerpiece of the release, “Torchbearer” plays like a less-theatrical version of Conveyor’s “Mukraker.” Or maybe it’s just the repetition of each song’s three-syllable title. I don’t know, it’s late at night and my judgment is beginning to grow suspect. What I do know is this: Here, as throughout the release, Dinosaur Death Trap works in perfect balance. Each member of the five-piece weaves impeccably around the other.
With each successive spin, it seems all the more impossible that Dinosaur Death Trap EP is a first effort. It’s not that the music is overtly complex, but this is a sophisticated, thoughtful release from a group of guys who should still be fumbling around in search of their respective roles. Listen to “Sticks and Mud” below and name your price for a digital download of the EP via Bandcamp.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Chase King “Misty”
“Misty” is the lead-off track from Queens native Chase King’s debut LP South Tropical Trail, released July 30 on NYC artist collective/record label Wonderland Archives. Here, the vocals appear diluted as if ran through a harmonica microphone over a delicious, understated guitar riff. King wrestles with the intangible nature of a higher power and the inevitable disappointment that comes from a desperate plea for a sign. Then he shrugs, content in his realization that such divine insight can be found anywhere, in anything, given the proper outlook.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 
Friday: Class Actress in Cincinnati
This Friday, the amazing month of Friday night shows at Fountain Square continues as a part of the MidPoint Indie Summer Series with Brooklyn based Class Actress. The project from the mind of Elizabeth Harper is currently still touring on their debut LP in 2011’s Rapprocher. A combination of electronic driven dance pop beats and Elizabeth’s gorgeous voice, the group brings a fun vibe, literally and figuratively, to the “Weekend”. Below, you can preview not only the song just named for the dance floor, but also see Elizabeth slow it down acoustically with “Adolescent Heart” courtesy of Big Ugly Yellow Couch. Whether we’ll get a mix of both styles remains to be seen, the one thing you can count on is that you’ll get your Friday started off right by checking out this FREE show. Class Actress goes on at 9:30 PM, with Vito Emmanuel and Crown opening at 7.
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Written by Greg Dahman