So I’ve been a fan of Bomb the Music Industry! and We Versus the Shark for a while now, which is why I was pretty psyched when I found out that Pegasuses-XL and Jeff Rosenstock were teaming up to release an album. I had never been the biggest fan of synthesizers, mostly because The Know How ruined it for me the first time I saw them and the keyboard seemed to drown out what would be a decent band. Regardless, I was pretty excited and luckily was not disappointed.

P-XL mostly resembles We Versus the Shark and blends many genres but has stuck to a electronic rock motif throughout its releases so far. There hadn’t been much a focus on the vocal aspect, however, until their first full release, The Antiphon. The change is apparent from the start in “Drugs for Change.” It starts out with a four minute long progression up to an almost mystical plateau of mixed vocals then leads to a peak, and my new favorite phrase, “meanwhile back in New York!” From there, Rosenstock’s voice makes its first prominent appearance in the band. Although he doesn’t have the best voice by any means, it is definitely a unique one, and it sticks out from the instrumental background.

From there, the album kicks into its electronic jam “Gold Power.” This song is one that I listen to more often than others on the album. Then, P-XL goes back to its EPs, which featured a lot of audio clips over synthesizers. This is basically the format in the short “Special Times with Sandwiches in Lumicolourland,” which shifts the tempo right before my favorite song of the album, “Marathon Mansion,” which most resembles a live show of theirs. It seems light hearted; the simple keyboard tune that backs up rapping mixed with some singing. Rosenstock is primarily featured here, which is probably another reason I love the song so much – it sounds a lot like a BTMI! song would. This and “Atmospheric Skull” are similar in that they both are more rap than electronic rock.

This is what most turned me on to the album. P-XL shows are more personal than planned out concerts that are unfortunately becoming more and more common (think Against Me! nowadays, whose shows almost ruin the simple albums which drew people in the most). It is nice to see a group of musicians genuinely having fun on stage and in the studio and not taking themselves too seriously. The shows are goofy, which blends in nicely to when they focus and go all out to the amazing instrumental sections such as in “Panzerfaust!”

Back to The Antiphon, other songs that stick out are the Daft Punk-esque “Walking Life,” “The Big Haunt” because it shows a side of their versatility featuring female vocals and sounds a little bit poppy and also “Intermurals” just because it sounds like if a non-asshole young Eminem tried to rap over a what sounds like a spooky organ. The album closes out how it started, steadily. “Antiphon,” the last track, is a peaceful progression that leads the album out, giving it a sort of closure.

I was a fan of the first three EPs by P-XL. “Run the Gauntlet” is badass no matter what kind of music you’re into. “Major in Business/Minor in Art” is gold as well. The third EP, simply entitled Third EP, was the major stepping stone to this album because it seems to resemble and pave the way for “The Antiphon.” I really suggest obtaining The Antiphon – it will be well worth your time if you are looking for something not only quality but original too.

Also, this has nothing to do with music but this video proves that, no matter what your feelings about the guy are, Shaq is an entertainer (think Kazaam). I literally lol’d for a good five minutes about number two. Enjoy.