Also this issue: Folk Gone Wild Philly's own Full Frontal Folk doesn't have time for angst, ballads or clothes. -Mary Armstrong Prime Meridian Steve Forbert exhumes a country legend from his hometown. -Nicole Pensiero An Evening of Russian Romances -Peter Burwasser Lady Alma -A.D. Amorosi Tandy -A.D. Amorosi Goldie -A.D. Amorosi DJ Nights -Sean O'Neal Beat Box -Ain� Ardron-Doley

December 25-31, 2002

musicpicks

Erick Sermon

Lyricist Lounge has, in its decade-plus history, always been good at showcasing hip-hop talent well before the Versace overtakes the versifying. This week's episode is appropriately anchored by the older-school talents of producer and MC Erick Sermon, late of the innovative '80s duo EPMD. In the wake of his early brush with success, Sermon has been building a slightly more self-conscious solo career, with singles like last year's sweetly reverent "Music," which had him playing lyrical call and response to a unearthed Marvin Gaye sample. In "React," the title track and token Redman collab on his latest release, E-Dub borrows a catchy loop from a Hindi song and then lyrically acknowledges that he has no idea what it means, that he only has four figures and that he actually prefers King Cobra to Cristal.

Mon., Dec. 30, 8 p.m., $18-$20, with Poverty, Blessanation, Killah Priest and Grafh, TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000.

—Elisa Ludwig