"You guys are that sad, awkward boy band that people relate to. So sell that." In Modern Baseball's latest music video for "Rock Bottom," which premiered yesterday at Pitchfork, frontman Brendan Lukens tries to perform after receiving those unnerving words of encouragement as nightmarish scenes from high school play out as his backdrop. Lukens eventually escapes the overwhelming video set that was directed by Kyle Thrash. Hopefully he'll make it back in time for the band's extensive upcoming tour with PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, and Tiny Moving Parts, which will close out in Philly on Saturday, December 12 at Union Transfer.

Modern Baseball are working through some difficult times right now with the need to recently cancel their Australian tour with Iron Chic as well as their appearances in the UK at the Reading and Leeds Festivals, due to Brendan Luken's continued struggles with anxiety and depression. It's a difficult one but absolutely the right move. The band just made its latest single, "Revenge Of The Nameless Ranger," available for streaming and free download. The track was originally an exclusive download for those who pre-ordered tickets to their upcoming tour with PUP, Jeff Rosentstock, and Tiny Moving Parts, which will closeout in Philly on Saturday, December 12 at Union Transfer. We wish Brendan and the rest of the MB gang all the best. 

The crew at Modern Baseball has found a way to tap into the universal doubt and insecurities that pile up in the back (or front) of one’s mind. The band expresses those locked away emotions in a brutally honest and refreshingly open manner, converting that anxious energy into exuberantly cathartic anthem-esque songs transforming the internal “I” into a rejoicing collective "WE." Tonight at the Electric Factory, the resilient, resonating melodic rock of Cymbals Eat Guitars and the emotive, instrumentally aggressive post-punk of San Jose trio Hard Girls will join Modern Baseball in setting the table for the rousing pop-punk of headliners Say Anything. Electric Factory 421 N. 7th St., 7pm, $30, All Ages - Michael Colavita

Modern Baseball just premiered a new track, “Alpha Kappa Fall of Troy The Movie Part Deux,” yesterday over at Billboard. The song appears on a 6-way split EP Strength in Weakness, due out February 3 via Lame-O Records. The album will serve as a benefit for United Cerebral Palsy. The release also features songs from Spraynard, The Weaks, Marietta, Hurry, and Beach Slang.

It’s that time of year again for our last post of 2014 and my list of favorite Philly records for this year. My procrastination was strong this year, but once again, I just managed to make it just under the gun. It’s always overwhelming to dig into all the great music that we have been lucky enough to come across throughout the year. I’m sure that there are some albums that have fallen by the wayside of this list, but hopefully you’ll discover or rediscover a new favorite like I have while taking this journey. It’s been fun, and as always, looking forward to seeing you on the other side - cheers! - Q.D. Tran

1. Guilty of Everything (Relapse) – Nothing

 

2. You’re Gonna Miss It All (Run For Cover) – Modern Baseball

3. Full Of Snakes (Fleeting Youth) – Mumblr

4. 7” (Wilsuns RC) – Sheer Mag

5. The Spirit of the Beehive (Ranch) – The Spirit of the Beehive

You can view the rest of the list HERE.