Ariel Aparicio's the bEdRoom tapeS LP Review Written by Michael Niles

A fast-paced lyrical pantomime supplementing a fun and distinctive guitar riff make Ariel Aparacio's version of "People Who Die" one of those LPs that you play in the morning on the subway, and are hearing in your head on the subway home.

It is catchy; yes, the lyrics are an assortment of manufactured fantasies detailing elaborate ways that people die, but who is judging? It is a homage to the late Jim Carroll's punky 80's hit, with Brooklyn rocker Aparacio taking the initial recipe and sprinkling in a bit more energy. It tells a story throughout; something like Johnny Cash's "Don't Take Your Guns To Town" mixed with a Strokes number from "Is This It" EP, and similarly, people also die. "Tony could fly, Tony died" explains how Tony (we do not get to learn much about Tony) has no ability to fly, like most humans, but this fact, leads to his departure from this world. Alongside this are tales of hepatitis in Manhattan, hangings and subway suicides, and if you are curious as to whether this song is depressing, the answer is probably yes.

Possibly my favourite exit is by Kathy. Dear Kathy was just 11, "when she pulled the plug on 26 reds and bottle of wine". What does that mean? I have zero clue, but it sounds good. The EP was released July 6 in digital stores and if you haven't had time to download yet, "Lucille" is worth a listen on its own. Tongue-in-cheek in style, with the odd few naughty anecdotes, this original collabatory track illustrates quite a lady. I'm quite intrigued to see what her cellophane dress looks like as described by Aparacio and Khalid Rivera in this Prince/Bowie sounding concoction. A quirky song with a summer feel, hiding a sinister inner being that it allows to pop up throughout at chosen intervals, this is not a relationship that is going well, but damn, she's hot!

"Torito" is written for the Brooklynite's son, and this Spanish-infused lullaby smacks of a hero, racing on horseback through a desert in Southern Spain. Tonto/Torito?? You decide. Now, I do not speak a single word of Spanish and so I have absolutely no idea what is being said, although I did hear "New York" a couple of times. However, that does not detract from the fact this is a delicate personal ode to the artists loved one and he steps carefully to excite with visions of brave Zorro-like characters saving-the-day and quickly simmer the enthusiasm to create a lullaby of immeasurable youthful satisfaction. Fast forward to the psychedelic-mindtrip that is "The Future". Throwing out a raw rock-induced muddle of hypnotic delirium, the persistent chorus follows and follows until you slowly find yourself enjoying the repetition of such simple words. Four very varied songs with a style you cannot pigeon-hole but instead, a blend of world-renowned artists merged together to produce the bEdRoom tapeS.

He has already appeared at punk rock club CBGB, and venues such as Nokia Theater, MakeMusicNY for two summers in a row, MTV’s Out@MTVN event, and the NYC Knitting Factory. The single from the EP stands out as the commercial hit, taking what was good about an 80's hit and adapting it to a modern rock audience. He'll play at San Diego Pride this month with no dates yet mixed for New York, so watch this space. www.arielaparicio.com