Eyedea & Abilities, Dosh @ Nectar Lounge | 02/06 | 5:30pm | $10

Originally some of the fastest, most dexterous hip-hop ever to come out of the Midwest, Scribblejam and DMC champs Eyedea & Abilities bring it in a scathingly fast way when they want to. By the Throat, their latest album, is a darker, more atmospheric record than what we’ve come to expect from this duo. Some might even call it more mature, since the strength of the record doesn’t come from the vocal and scratching gymnastics. It’s almost as if the guys have left the competitive, battling nature of their earlier work behind. There are more somber tones, Eyedea sings more often and there is an emphasis on instrumentation. There’s even a little bit of rock music in these 11 tracks. By the Throat is a game-changer for Eyedea & Abilities.

Eyedea and Abilities will perform at the Nectar Lounge with Anticon’s loop-heavy Dosh, a multi-instrumentalist and longtime Andrew Bird collaborator. Among other things, the man can play a keyboard and drums at the same time. Worth going to Nectar just to witness it.

Remember to arrive early since doors are at 5:30 and the show begins at 6pm!

“Smile” by Eyedea & Abilities

“Capture the Flag” by Dosh