LOCALS ONLY: The Moving Units play free show In Chinatown

Photo from the Moving Unit's Facebook

A running joke in High School with my friends and I was that we would always be going to the Moving Units last show. The dance punk band has had a few final shows back in my day, but you can catch them for free and all together in Chinatown this Saturday for Chinatown Summer Nights. Also on the line up are The Peach Kings, The New Electric Sound, Magic Bronson and others. Food trucks will be there until midnight, so make an evening of it. There will also be a calligraphy workshop. It's hard to be bored with all the free shows in L.A. this summer.

Quadron - Avalanche

Released last year was danish duo Quadron's sophomore album. It was sort of a sleeper hit, receiving positive reviews, but being unable to break into the mainstream. While it wasn't a hit in the states, it spent 12 weeks in the top ten in the bands native land, Denmark. The band delivers soulful electronica.

The album starts off with a bang with LFT (Looking For Trouble), the sensual and sexy hit single. The pops of the horns and jazzy sounds of Favorite Star give it a night club in havana feel. The beats of Hey Love can be played in a club. The sensual Crush will give you a girl crush on her booming voice. Befriend is both haunting and tender. On the flip side is Neverland, a song with a big band sound driving it. It's Gonna Get You snaps and beats will feel Michael-Jackson-esque, as her aggressive lyrics come forth at you. Better Off brings in hip-hops rising star Kendrick Lamar rapping over her lascivious voice. Slow dance or take things to the bedroom with Sea Salt, very Mo-Town inspired. The title track closes the album, saying "so long good times, I am on my own now."

Fans of their work include Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Prince. If you like jazz inspired electronica, you'll really like this album. $20 on Amazon ($14 from unofficial stores). Throw it on during a party, or when you are having a girls (or guys) night in.

The Pipettes - We are the Pipettes

This UK pop band's first album is full of catchy hooks that give a modern twist to a very dreamy sound. The version I am listening to is the US version, which was remixed by Cherrytree Records and includes two previously unreleased tracks Dance and Boogie and Baby, Just Be Yourself. The album starts off with the commanding anthem We Are the Pipettes, which tells you exactly what you're in for. Then you can't help but shake your butt to Pull Shapes, which is one of the singles off the album (other's include Dirty Mind and Judy). Another great song on the A-Side is Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me, which features a very soothingly haunting chorus. Switching things to the B-Side starts you out with the Mo-Town-esque Tell Me What You Want. ABC is another groove track that makes you want to do some sort of bop motion. And to close is a teen dream bonus track Baby, Just Be Yourself, which unwinds the album nicely.

If you like Phil Spector inspired pop, then you'll like this album. It's versatile enough that you can throw it on during a party or while your just sitting on the porch. Though it's a bit of a rare find now a days ($69.99 used on Amazon), you should search your local record store or scan ebay (which is where I got my copy for $4.00!)