Frances Quinlan steers pop-rock trio Hop Along into Union Transfer this evening. Their album Get Disowned stood out as one of the finest local releases of 2012. Hop Along unleashes Quinlan’s versatile emotive vocal style, coupling it with a musical sensitivity befitting the moment. Digging in and pulling up there sleeves when necessary, or laying back and playing it simple, these three definitely have a knack for discovering the beauty amid a disaster. There’s a transparent grittiness in both the lyrics and the music it wears that can transform these songs into anthems or better yet battle cries. Hop Along will be opening alongside the pop-rock fortress of A Great Big Pile of Leaves for recently reunited South Jersey emo outfit Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start, who are celebrating the 10th anniversary of and nothing is #1. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8:30pm, $15, All Ages (Photo by Andee Wells) – Michael Colavita
