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Robert DeLong Union Stage, Washington, DC "Beginning Of The End," another catchy song in Robert DeLong's new EP will make you put your shoulders back and snap your fingers as if you were in a hip-hop music video from the early 2000s. But that's just the percussion of the song. There is so much more to it. Just like most of RDL's music, this song is a mirage of both rock and techno. It's a "mirage" because it's not quite either but really his own thing. It's hard to put in words so you'll just have to listen to understand for yourself. His music is truly unique just like his shows. RDL plays everything on stage: drums, guitar, vocals, and he even makes his own instruments. "Beginning Of The End" is a love song about breaking up. Your significant other is about to break up with you and you know it. It doesn't matter what you do because you've already messed up. "Are we too far gone? 'Cause you're loo...

It's the middle of February and you've started to see Spring beers hit the stores. You're looking forward to birds chirping and days lasting longer. The sunsets are prettier as the skies turn orange and pink, flowers start to bloom as winds change from chilling to a nice breeze, and beer starts to taste more refreshing than it did in the last five months. "There's only one eye in the manifest sound in the mouth of the spring. Holy rollers focus one at a time. This horizon's shaped like honeycomb." Fruity wheat beers are very refreshing and perfect for the Spring. If you like passionfruit, it doesn't get much more refreshing than Liliko'i Kepolo by Avery Brewing Co. Imagine your favorite Belgian style white ale and add an array of tropical flavors; this creates Liliko'i Kepolo. "Can I just stay here forever and more? It feels so good dissolving bodies at the door and it's so heavy on the way back down but it was worth it—tasted per...

Bear Hands Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD The keys and drums take a front seat in Bear Hands' single, "Back Seat Driver" giving the song a spiritual yet modern sound. It's very fitting considering the alternate title (Spirit Guide). Have you ever been down a road of making poor decisions? There is a voice in the back of your head telling you not to do exactly what you're about to do. Peer pressure and being popular has taken control of the wheel while all reasonable actions have taken a seat in the back. Eventually you say, "enough is enough." Let that voice in the back of your head take control and let your spirit guide you. Avoid the obstacles and follow the path you're meant to take. You know right from wrong. Next time you see a fork in the road, make the easy decision and take the right path. Spirit guide —b ack seat driver;  'bout time that you took the wheel.   Spirit guide —b ack seat driver; d on't cry 'bout what you c...

Keep calm and have a beer. Nothing relieves stress like a good IPA. If you're an IPA fan, then you might already know Dogfish Head makes some of the most simple yet easy-drinking ones on the East Coast. Dogfish Head's flagship beer, 90 Minute IPA, is a beer with a simple concept. They continuously add hops during the brewing process for 90 minutes. The beer has 90 IBUs and an ABV of 9.0%. It's not a complex beer but it is strong and has a nice malty flavor. The easiest way for a beer lover to get something off their mind is with a beer that simply tastes like beer in the best way possible. This is that beer. Sure, when you first open the Imperial IPA, you'll have a lot on your mind but it won't take long until you've cleared your mind. Everything you were thinking about before drinking this beer was over your head and you know it. All these thoughts are an ocean I'm drowning in. I'm in over my—I'm in over my head. By the time you get to your s...

Weezer is releasing the Black Album soon and they have kicked it off with a song titled "Zombie Bastards." Right off the bloody bat, you probably know this song will be paired with something dark such as a stout or a porter. So let's get started… Now, there could be a hidden message behind the new single but after looking at the lyrics, it sure seems like it's about surviving a zombie apocalypse. "Die, die, you zombie bastards.  We know what you want." However, if Weezer were fighting zombies, much like many of us have fantasized, they would make the most of it. In such a world, there is nothing to worry about other than staying alive and rescuing the human race. It's a dark and grim world but there is no need for The Man because you are The Man. There is no reason to worry about your career, retirement, paying bills, or really anything that involves money. There are two ways to survive. You can hide from the brain-eaters until your crew tells y...

Chill out while listening to "Bambi" by Hippo Campus—a catchy yet mellow song anyone can interpret in their own unique way. One interpretation of the lyrics in this electronic melody could be about the struggles of securing your dream job and creating the life you've always wanted. You know exactly what you want but you can't just start there. You need experience to reach your dream but it's hard and you lack motivation. You try your best but you would rather sit at home and enjoy some bourbon or a nice craft beer. "I swear to God I wasn't born to fight. Maybe just a little bit, enough to make me sick of it." It's the weekend and you're exhausted. Your friends invite you to go out and you tag along. You put on a show and smile but you would rather stay at home and enjoy that very same drink you had after work. You have too much to think about. You are almost certain you won't do anything productive while you're home but you...

Top Bunk's new sweet lullaby, "Figure It Out" has a dark yet often true message behind it. Love is hard to figure out. You find your perfect match, the one you've been looking for. They are everything you are but you will eventually tire of each other. "Six weeks and it’s so great. Six months and it’s okay. One year and it feels like something crept up in my heart and died." You will try to make it last but you know you will ultimately mess up. But after all, living your fullest is about making mistakes and trying to figure out what works. You can't fake love but nobody understands it either. "Here I go again; I'll mess it all up." The words might bum you out but this song is anything but a sad one. This electronic number is one that will get stuck in your head and will end leaving you to want more. The keys have an extremely cheerful melody and the drums will force you to bobble your head. And while the lyrics are bitter much like an...