NXNE - Free Energy

Rocky was on television the other day; Philadelphia looked rough, begging the question: how did Free Energy get out of there unscathed? The Philly pop rockers may look like Yeasayer, but they sound like an off-key Thin Lizzy tribute band with touches of Phantom Planet thrown in for, um, fun. Lyrically, most cuts aim for the Hold Steady-style of proletarian poetry, but rely on well-worn, WB Network conceits rather than Bukowskian insights. Nevertheless, the drummer hit hard, sporadic blues riffs showed promise and the band were mostly cordial, so that's something.