Yesterday was a really exciting day for someone very close to me — my boyfriend, Matt. He's been in a band for eight years now and yesterday they released their fourth full-length album, The Greatest Generation. His band is called The Wonder Years (recently featured online and in The Times Herald's print edition) and this release just might lift them to next level — at least I'm hoping it does.

I've known Matt since my sophomore year of high school (I'll be 27 in September — for time frame purposes) and he's been involved with music the entire time I've known. In fact, I'm pretty sure I met him at a show that one his former bands was playing at.

That being said, it's a really awesome thing to see how much he and his bandmates have accomplished over the years. The music business isn't an easy thing to get into, and The Wonder Years have done everything in their power to get to where they are today. And the coolest part of it all is how down-to-earth they have all remained and how much they still do things on their own.

This week the band is hosting a "pop up shop" in Philadelphia in collaboration with Glamour Kills to celebrate the release of their new album. The shop features limited edition merchandise that will only available this week, and it also gives their fans the opportunity to hang out with them in a low-key and intimate environment. The band also has friends performing every night after shop hours, and the week will come to a close with an acoustic performance and signing by The Wonder Years.

If you happen to be in Philadelphia at all this week, head to 307 Market Street and see out what these guys are doing. They have a lot to be proud of, and I think everyone should see what they've accomplished if they have a chance to.

Lansdale's The Wonder Years have released a trailer for their new album "The Greatest Generation" that drops May 14 on Hopeless Records. Check it out below!

I can't stop listening to Tegan & Sara's new album Heartthrob.
Lately I've found myself listening to more electronic-based music, or really just anything I can dance to. I wasn't really into these two before, due to an ex-boyfriend ruining them for me, but this new album doesn't sound like anything they've released before (at least not to me).
I've only had the album for about a week now and I'm finding that I already know the majority of the lyrics, which is probably because I've listened to it everyday since I got it (and that hasn't happened for me in a while!).
I won't go into a bunch of reasons why I like it so much because you can decide for yourself whether it's appealing to you or not but watching the video for album's first single "Closer" above. You can also find almost all of the album's other tracks on YouTube as well, so I highly suggest listening to my favorites on the album: "I'm Not Your Hero," "Drove Me Wild" and "Love They Say."
It's not very often that an artist I previously disliked completely changes my mind about them, so that's got to be saying something.

As I was browsing my usual music news websites this morning, I came across a posting on Property of Zack announcing that Connecticut band Make Do And Mend will be playing a show on Feb. 8 to benefit Sandy Hook Elementary.

The show has been deemed "a concert to support our community"and a part of ticket sales (which are $15 each) will benefit Sandy Hook. They're also allowing ticket buyers the option to be a "Sandy Hook Supporter" and donate an additional $10 that will go directly to Sandy Hook.

Also on the bill are Misery Signals, Life In Your Way, Corelia and The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die.

All donations will be given through Converge Worldwide (for direct donations without buying a ticket, go here).

I think it's seriously cool that these bands have decided to do this, and I hope everyone that's a fan of them or just enjoys shows in general up in Connecticut buys a ticket to this show.

I'll admit that The Starting Line wasn't extremely influential for me in my high school years, though I was introduced to them at that time with their breakout song "Best of Me." That being said, it didn't mean my excitement to finally see them again at the Electric Factory last night was any different than anyone else's. And on top of it, I got to see my boyfriend and his band, The Wonder Years, open for them.

The Wonder Years perform at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. Photo by Ashley Campbell/Times Herald Staff.

I'm not going to sit here and give a review of the show because that's not what I was there to do. I was there to enjoy myself and the people I was with while we watched our friends open for a band that influenced some of them to do what they're today. And to see a band I grew up listening to one last time as they celebrated the 10th Anniversary of their debut album Say It Like You Mean It.

I've honestly never seen some of those people as happy as they were last night, with wide grins on their faces as they bounced around and sang along with every song. And The Starting Line seemed to be just as happy, with vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli proclaiming his love for Philly and moving goofily around the stage.

The Starting Line performs at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. Photo by Ashley Campbell/Times Herald Staff.

If I could back to last night I would, if only for the mere happiness I experienced from everyone else's beaming faces. But it seriously ruled to see The Starting Line performing again, especially since their music and energetic performance puts me in the best mood all on its own.

Besides, I got to experience it all from backstage which isn't something everyone gets to do and that was an awesome experience all in itself.

Last night, Taking Back Sunday played the second of two sold out concerts at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Although the band has been together for over 10 years and I had already seen them four times, last night's show was different -- I got to see the original band perform together and play their first full-length album Tell All Your Friends in its entirety.

Taking Back Sunday performs at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Photo by Ashley Campbell/Times Herald Staff.

The band played was as tight as ever, and vocalist Adam Lazzara was back in mic-swinging habits which made the show even more entertaining to watch. He even managed to give those watching from the balcony an intimate experience by heading to the back and scaling the steps, then circling around its entire length and returning to the stage by climbing down a set of speakers. Seeing original members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper reunited with the band they had left nine years ago also made the show even more of an exciting experience for me.

While Taking Back Sunday was the main reason I attended the show, finally getting to see one of their openers live also made buying a ticket absolutely necessary -- Bayside. I'll admit I'm a more recent fan of the band and have really only listened to their latest release Killing Time, but seeing them live has left me wanting to listen to everything they've ever released. They gave a flawless performance and I couldn't have hoped for a better set from them.

Bayside performs at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Photo by Ashley Campbell/Times Herald Staff.

Boston natives Transit also opened the show with a solid performance that was really energetic and entertaining. Their catchy pop-punk was a perfect addition to the start of the night and their supporters made sure they felt appreciated.

Transit performs at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Photo by Ashley Campbell/Times Herald Staff.

All-in-all, I couldn't have asked for a better night. If you happen to get the chance to see Taking Back Sunday on this tour, do it. And I envy anyone that gets the chance to see them perform an acoustic set tonight at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia.

If you've never heard "Gangnam Style" by Psy, this is the perfect seasonal way to listen to it.