If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Kristine Leschper One of the most buzzed about bands at CMJ this past fall were Mothers, a Athens based 4 piece. They are set to release their debut album early in 2016, and you can listen to a track from it right now. What's slightly odd is you tend to associate the term "buzz band" with something loud, boisterous, and in your face. Instead, Mothers are quite quiet. "Too Small For Eyes" might be too laid back for a coffee shop, but that's what makes it so great. The instrumentation is so sparse, you're forced to truly listen and focus on it. If you just let the song play in the background, you'd just hear a few plinks of strings here and there, instead of the lush soundscape designed by the band. Kristine Leschper's voice adds to this effect, since it's just so damn compelling you want  to pay as close attention as you possibly can. I don't believe Mothers are Elephant Six related, but fans of Elephant Six (or Athens bands...

There are two things we truly love here at If It's Too Loud...: Free music and covers. We're a little late to the party on this one, but Red Line Roots out of Cambridge, MA released Locals Covering Locals Volume 2  back in April. The concept is pretty simple. They have local roots artists covering other local artists. For me, the stand outs are Haunt the House covering Ian Fitzgerald's "Melinda Down the Line," Sarah Borges covering "Ride With Me" (one of my absolute favorite songs by The Lemonheads/Evan Dando), and new favorite Julie Rhodes covering Jonah Tolchin's "Mockingbird." It's perfect as we all lounge around today post-Thanksgiving, even if some of us are stuck working our normal jobs. To get your copy of Locals Covering Locals Volume 2 , go to Red Line Roots' Bandcamp . They also have Locals Covering Locals Volume 1 and Locals Covering Locals (Live @ Passim) available for free. Locals Covering Locals: Volume 2 by Red L...

Photo by Roberto Terrones I love this woman's voice. Hailing from Somerville, MA, Julie Rhodes will be the surprise hit of the 2016 Newport Folk Festival. That's going to be my super early prediction. She's already involved in the Folk Family, with her to be released debut album produced by NFF alum Jonah Tolchin (who she met through the Festival). "In Your Garden" doesn't break new ground. It's pretty standard soul blues folk rock fare. But holy crap is this good. It's pretty accessible and has some mainstream crossover possibilities, kind of like The Black Crowes and Alabama Shakes. It's her voice that will propel her to breakthrough status next year. You can listen to "In Your Garden" below. Julie Rhodes' debut album, Bound to Meet the Devil , will be out February 26. For more information, check her out on Facebook , Twitter , and her own website .

I've been a little cold on the last few releases from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Nothing has really hit me the way their self-titled debut album and EP did. That being said, their new cover of Tori Amos' "China" is amazing. "China" might be the Tori song I always seem to forget about, but once I hear it again I wonder why I ever listen to anything else. It's a home recorded demo of the song, with very minimal instrumentation. Gone is the indie pop and shoegaze normally associated with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and in it's place is a sound very similar to Buffalo Tom's more laid back covers. It's something you absolutely should listen to today. Listen to "China" below. For more info on The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, check out their website .

A quieter week than normal as we approach the American Thanksgiving holiday. I'd also review the new Adele, but, well... Album of the Week : Artist : Sheer Album : Uneasy Quick Description : Shoegazey-style indie alt-rock. Why You Should Listen : You are looking for that nostalgia hit this week, but want something really great Overall Thoughts : Ken posted about the title track last month and I fell in love with it right away as well. The full album, thankfully, is about as good as the single, and that means great things for a band that I don't think is getting enough attention yet. It's just one of those solid, surprise albums that make it fun to discover new music. It's one you'll want to tell your friends about. Recommendation : Highly recommended album of the week, and it's not even close. Artist : Kingsley Flood Album : The Good Fight Quick Description : Latest EP from a favorite of ours. Why You Should Listen : You look for more of a ro...

I've been shopping at Newbury Comics for 20+ years now. It had always had the advantage of being a local, indie store even though it has had a ton of locations throughout New England. Even while stores like FYE have sold new release cds for $20, they have mad the vast majority of their new releases for $7.88 to $12.88. But, I think I'm done after all these years. Why, you ask? It's not because I've moved to digital music. While I may do some, I still like physically owning albums. I have a collector's/pack rat's sensibilities, and I really like being able to show off my music collection. I also prefer the experience of walking into a record store to shopping online. Lately (ok, for the past few years now), they just haven't been carrying what I want. Back in my 20s, every  album I wanted to buy could be found at Newbury Comics, no matter how obscure. Ok, fine... maybe they didn't have the new 7" from that one band I saw opening a show at the Mid...

Forgotten Fridays is a [hopefully more regular] feature here at If It’s Too Loud... where we go back and find the lost records of our glory days. We played these on our college radio shows, put them on countless mix tapes, and then forgot they existed. Once a week we go back and remind you, and help decide if they were any good. I first discovered The Ivory Coast when they opened for Ben Lee at The Middle East in Cambridge, MA back in 1996 (?). Back then, they were called The Puddle Jumpers, and the later The Puddle Jumpers Ltd. After renaming themselves The Ivory Coast, presumably to have a less silly name, they released a couple albums  in the late 90s/early 200s. Clouds  was the second, released in 2001. The Ivory Coast would probably fall into the emo category based on their sound, but they always seemed like more than that to me. While most emo in that time period was more polished, Clouds  has a more noisy, aggressive sound to a good chunk of it, resulting in ...

Boston's Bedroom Eyes (not to be confused with the Swedish act of the same name) may just reinvent shoegaze. Next week they will release Honeysuckle , their sophomore album. The first song on the album, "Lorraine," has the swirling guitars and fuzz usually associated with shoegaze, but it's aggressive in a really fun way that the genre usually doesn't have. They call it "sneakergaze," which basically does my job for me. It's like the swirl of My Bloody Valentine mixed with the noise and aggression of early 90s Sonic Youth and then some pop punk added into the mix. It's trippy as hell music you can pogo to, if you weren't pushing 40.  Honeysuckle will be released on November 24 on Midnight Werewolf Records. You can pre-order it on Bandcamp . Be sure to check out their Facebook for more info. Honeysuckle by Bedroom Eyes

A favorite of both of us here at IfItsTooLoud..., The Casket Girls are releasing a new single this week. "Western World" is a little cheerier than most of the songs on last year's True Love Kills the Fairy Tale , but it's right along with the Casket Girl's sound of droned out eerie alternapop. If they ever make another Addams Family movie, they should get The Casket Girls to provide the soundtrack. "Western Girls" will be available as a split 7" with Stardeath and White Dwarves on Graveface Records, to be released as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday on 11/27. For more info on Casket Girls, check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp .

An unlucky day for some, but not for those interested in some solid music from this week: Album of the Week : Artist : Boots Album : Aquaria Quick Description : Debut album from the acclaimed R&B producer. Why You Should Listen : Nothing like this has been released in some time; his resume requires at least a look. Overall Thoughts : Boots has done production most notably on songs for Beyonce, Run the Jewels, and FKA Twigs, and this is definitely more Twigs than Beyonce. It's a really weird, interesting release, equal part rap, hip-hop, and electronica that results in an album that's less about the hooks and more about the overall atmosphere. A very modern record, and one that I really enjoyed. Recommendation : Best release of the week. Artist : The Wainwright Sisters Album : Songs in the Dark Quick Description : First full-length collaboration between Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche. Why You Should Listen : Anything with a Wainwright attached t...

Rachel Haden (That Dog, The Rentals, The Haden Triplets, and Weezer's "I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams") has just released her debut solo single, which is surprising since she's a 20+ year music veteran. "Devil's In Me" isn't as traditionally folky as her work with The Haden Triplets and not as 90s alternative as That Dog, but instead stands with a foot in both sides. It's probably closer to the more laid back side of That Dog, especially since That Dog was always shockingly good at harmonizing for a noisy 90s band. "Devil's In Me" starts off quite quietly and folky, but slowly picks up intensity without becoming a rocker.  "Devil's In Me" is currently available in limited editions from Greenway Records. You can pick up a copy here , and be sure to check out Rachel Haden's website for any upcoming info.

Earlier this week, I was checking out the website for Brown Bird to see if there was any new word from The Huntress, MorganEve Swain's new project. I hadn't heard anything since "Call to Arms" was released in the summer of 2014, and I didn't discover it until this past March . A day or two later, and The Water Street Demos  was released. Now named The Huntress and Holder of Hands (presumably to avoid confusion with the metal band Huntress, which I did when they released an album earlier this year), there are now three songs to check out. "Call to Arms" is represented on here, along with "These Hands," which has the most haunting violin I've ever heard, and mostly instrumental "Etude." All three songs are moody and dark. They're absolutely beautiful and I highly urge you to listen, but this is definitely a departure from the dance worthy songs of Brown Bird.  The Water Street Demos  is being sold to help finance a full ba...

I know, I know. It's way  too early to start thinking of the summer festival season. But here we are. Last year's Green River Festival was amazing, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend and cover the fest . In just one day it quickly became my favorite local festival, and I'm hoping to expand to going at least two days this year. If you're planning on attending, you might want to act now since early bird tickets are currently on sale. A three-day festival pass is only $79.99 until December 31. A one-day pass was $59.99 last year, so this is a huge bargain. With their 30th anniversary this year, you know they'll make this one special. They're also including a camping option this year, which is $139.99 with a three-day festival pass. Next year it will be running July 8-10 at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, MA. While there is nothing even close to a line up yet, now might be the time to buy tickets, which you can do here .

Ripper are punk rock. The band lists their influences as Dead Kennedys, Germs, Sonic Youth, and The Beach Boys. The first three make sense together, but The Beach Boys may sound like an odd one until you listen to "On the Curb." It's hard, fast, and ferocious (you know, like punk), but there is a sense of melodies and hooks in there, too. But that doesn't make it pop punk. Not even close. This is one of those rare occasions where a band lists their influences and they actually listened to them AND are influenced by them! They don't rewrite the rules of punk at all, nor are they a throwback act. It's just good, solid punk. And sometimes, that's what you need. Ripper's second EP, A.D. , will be released on December 4th on Land Ski Records and Lawn Chair Records. You can listen to "On the Curb" below, and be sure to check them out on Bandcamp , Facebook , and Twitter .

Let's dive right in! Album of the Week : Artist : Ellie Goulding Album : Delirium Quick Description : Third album by the British pop singer. Why You Should Listen : This is allegedly her Big Pop Record, but it's better than that. Overall Thoughts : I've been a fan since "Lights," and this album worried me a bit given some of the advance stuff on this. She's always straddled the EDM line a bit, and I was hoping that she wouldn't stray from that, and, mostly, she doesn't. She definitely brings a Big Pop Record feel to this, but it mostly just feels like an Ellie Goulding album, and one that brings the best parts of her previous work and improves on it. Well done. Recommendation : Probably my favorite album of the week. Artist : Darren Hayman Album : Florence Quick Description : Solo album from the former Hefner frontman, his second this year. Why You Should Listen : Darren Hayman should be required listening for anyone at this stage. O...

GOSH!'s debut album, GOSH! , is a truly intriguing first listen. It's totally an 80s/90s throwback, but with all these bizarre little elements that make it unique. Hailing from Rock Island, IL, GOSH! make minimalist noise rock, combining pieces of sparse sound of Beat Happening with melody of Violent Femmes and the noise of Archers of Loaf. "Hangin' Out" has these wonderfully melodic, harmonized vocals over a staccato drum beat and just the fuzziest guitar you can imagine. "Beach Fuzz" is exactly what you are imagining: Dick Dale style surf rock that just never stops what is virtually the same blast of feedback throughout the entire song. It's as if The Moldy Peaches were more interested in the music than being clever or strange. GOSH!'s debut album, GOSH! , is available now vi Guilt Ridden Pop. You can purchase the album on Bandcamp in digital, cd, or cassette. Watch the video for "Hangin' Out" below, and below that are the ba...

This week, First Listen features some free music that we missed earlier this year. Released back in January, The Suffers slipped right by us. I only first noticed them when they were announced for the 2015 Newport Folk Festival, and immediately became a fan. Their debut EP, Make Some Room , is part of the new soul revival that is going on right now. Basically, if you're into Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Leon Bridges, or Alabama Shakes, this is for you. Their debut full length is due next year. If these four songs are any indication, they're do for a breakout year in 2016. You can get Make Some Room via NoiseTrade . be sure to check out their website while you're at it. Also free through NoiseTrade, you can get  The Dangerous Pleasures of Uncommon Curiosity,  the debut album from Submarine Lights. We also missed this one back in September, somehow. Submarine Lights are comprised of members of St. Vincent and The Polyphonic Spree. To compare them to their previous ...

With Sceptre out in the United States today (hooray!), I thought it might be fun to revisit this little piece of nostalgia from 1997, David Arnold's Bond theme cover project, Shaken and Stirred . Remember, 1997 was the height of the electronica boom, and David Arnold had scored a number of films in the past and was a big Bond fan. So he reworked some of the Bond themes and songs electronically, added some interesting vocalists to the mix, and released this compilation. The album itself became a hit, especially in the United Kingdom, and led to David Arnold being tapped to score a number of Bond movies following this release. This wasn't on Spotify back when Skyfall came out, so I'm glad that it's finally been posted . The whole thing might feel a tad bit dated nearly 20 years later, but I'll say this much: Aimee Mann's take on "Nobody Does it Better" rivals the original, Leftfield's contribution to "Space March" still holds up t...

Photo by Deleter I didn't know how much I needed a band like Minneapolis' Deleter before I heard them. I also have no idea how I have never heard a band with this sound before. It seems like a pretty obvious pairing. They start off with a backbone of Gang of Four minimalist but danceable post punk and then throw the noise crescendo of Sonic Youth behind it. "Seclusion" basically combines "Damaged Goods" with "Teenage Riot." Somehow they cram all that into 2 minutes and 13 seconds, making it one of the few songs I wish went on much longer.  Deleter's debut album, Oblique Seasons, is due out December 7 on Land Ski Records. You can listen to "Seclusion" below. For the time being, be sure to check out Deleter on Bandcamp , Facebook , and Twitter .

Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys are set to release their third proper album in late winter/early spring, and have just released a video for a track, "Where's Your Ghost." "Where's Your Ghost" isn't one of the Army of Toys' most bombastic songs, and is pretty quiet, at least at the beginning. It very slowly builds into a slightly more raucous song, but still, by Army of Toys' standards, pretty mellow. "Where's Your Ghost" seems more about atmosphere, and the result is this creepy, desperate sounding track that might end up haunting you as an earworm. You can download "Where's Your Ghost" right now from Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys' Bandcamp . For their third album, Come Black Magic , the band has started a Kickstarter to help with funding and promotion. You can find the usual things, such as digital and physical copies of the album and your choice of a cover song, but since it's ...

This is a real feast or famine week, let me tell you. Album of the Week : Artist : Laura Stevenson Album : Cocksure Quick Description : Fourth album from a favorite here at the blog. Why You Should Listen : Just outright saying it, this is one of the best indie rock singer-songwriter albums of the year. Overall Thoughts : This shouldn't be happening. Laura Stevenson's first album was okay. Second album solid with two incredible songs. Her third album was great from start to finish, and there was no way, I thought, that Cocksure could get even better. Yet it does. The lead singles ("Torch Song" in particular) were solid, but the album as a cohesive whole ends up being truly outstanding. In the last few albums I feel like she's found her footing, and the album title is just as much a truism as it is a double-entendre. Recommendation : Album of the week, will certainly feature on my end of year list. Artist : Gems Album : Kill the One You Love ...