Phillyist Playlist: The Atomic Square at the Khyber

You've probably never heard of The Atomic Square (MySpace). I hadn't, until about 9:30 this morning. On a whim, I checked out The Khyber's website to see what shows were coming up, and the description of The Atomic Square, a local band who is playing there tonight, caught my eye:

[T]his is a new or out-of-the-ordinary type of ambient in that the drums' role is so pronounced. It gives the music a sharp edge in a sub-genre that too often dangerously blands away. The Atomic Square's result is having created a rock-ambient hybrid.

Intrigued, I made my way to the band's website, where its entire debut EP, Hibernate, is available for a free(!) download. I was cautiously optimistic, but still a little suspicious—when I read the words "rock-ambient hybrid," I was afraid that meant it was music played with guitars that would just put me to sleep. Fortunately, The Atomic Square does no such thing. Their music is engaging and well-constructed rock music that, and I guess this is where the "ambient" component comes in, taps more into your subconscious than your active listening. The best comparison I can make off the top of my head is Elliott Smith, only with electric guitars. You can listen to The Atomic Square's music, and not really pay attention to the words (or, as the case may be, understand the words, due to the grainy nature of some of the production quality), and you'll still be able to tell, to feel, what the songs are about.

Because the band's EP is available for free on their website, our suggestion is that you make your way over there and give it a listen, and head on to The Khyber if you like what you hear.

Windsor Park Walkers, with The Atomic Square and The Jay Gunnz Experience
Tonight, 1/23/09
9:00 p.m., 21+
The Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St.
Tickets: $8

Image via The Atomic Square MySpace