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    1. 26 June 2010

      Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia, PA) - Thursday, June 17, 2010

      Although I’ve seen many frontmen do this sort of stuff, this didn’t feel forced. He seemed to be genuinely possessed at times.

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      19 June 2010

      The Trashcan Sinatras with The Candles - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) - June 18, 2010

      Thus, when I heard that they would be playing one of the best-sounding venues I’ve ever been to, World Cafe Live, I was stoked.

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      5 June 2010

      Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power deluxe box set (Legacy)

      This is a complete bonanza for STOOGES fans.

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      15 May 2010

      Buzzcocks with The Dollyrots and Moon Women - Trocadero (Philadelphia, PA) - May 14, 2010

      The encores, consisting of singles released in 1977 and 1978, just killed. These included “Promises,” “Love You More,” “What Do I Get” and “Orgasm Addict”, the amazing set closer.

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      13 May 2010

      The Joy Formidable with The Dig - Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia, PA) - Friday, May 7, 2010

      Watching THE JOY FORMIDABLE perform was like being in the eye of a hurricane. In other words, they live up to the hype and then some.

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      8 May 2010

      Graham Parker and The Figgs - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) - Sunday, May 2, 2010

      But on this night, it was the encore that really thrilled.

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      1 May 2010

      John Doe and Exene Cervenka - Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA) - Friday April 30, 2010

      John and Exene were both in fine form, joking with the audience liberally and telling stories about each song beforehand.

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      18 April 2010

      The Feelies - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) - Saturday, April 17, 2010

      To say that this was an epic Feelies show would definitely be an understatement.

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      13 March 2010

      Rogue Wave with Avi Buffalo - First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia, PA) - Thursday, March 4, 2010

      All of a sudden, the crowd stood, clapped, cheered and a good time was had by all.

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    2. Matthew Berlyant’s Top 10

      Week of July 25

      1. Teenage FanclubShadows (Merge)

      2. Sharon Jones and the Dap KingsI Learned the Hard Way (Daptone)

      3. Crowded House – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia) – July 23, 2010

      4. Yo La Tengo – “Little Honda”

      5. Nicole Atkins – “Vitamin C”

      6. Best Coast – “Boyfriend”

      7. 1.6 Band – “The Checkered Pasts of All Kings Present” EP (Metastasis)

      8. The Avengers Two Black Eyes…and a Bloody Nose (Bancrupt Records)

      9. LeatherfaceThe Stormy Petrel (No Idea)

      10. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – “Round and Round”

      About Matthew Berlyant

      Matthew Berlyant has been writing for The Big Takeover since 2003. He has written live show reviews and has interviewed THE TRASHCAN SINATRAS, THE FIERY FURNACES and BOB MOULD, amongst others. A music obsessive since he was a teenager, he started in music journalism while still a high school student by publishing several zines in the early ’90s that were focused on combining personal observations and documenting the New Jersey punk and hardcore scene of the time. He lives in Philadelphia and while not working, at work on his Masters in Library and Information Science degree or at home, he can be found at shows, record stores, porch sales, farmers markets or riding his bike.