If It's Too Loud...

Lauren Mann had a great experience with her previous album being available on Noisetrade for a time, so she's doing the same for a limited time with her latest album, Dearestly . It was my album of the week a few weeks back , so I highly recommend you pick this one up while it's still free, and toss her a few bucks if you're so inclined. One of the best of the year.

After you've gone through a divorce, you tend to be automatically drawn to people that have experienced the same. It's a very unique and trying experience, even if you consider the end result to be a positive one. I'm not saying I hope friends go through it, but when one tells me they are, part of me gets a little excited that there is another one I can relate to. Luke Winslow-King just went through a divorce. Not only did he lose his wife, but she was also his musical collaborator. The pain is right there in his new song, "I'm Glad Trouble Don't Last Always." While it's filled with pain, it doesn't follow the usual country and blues pattern of Girl Did Me Wrong or I'm So Lonely. Instead, it focuses on the positive that this is just temporary and will pass. You get a dirty, fuzzed-out country blues rocker that's actually uplifting. That's a powerful thing. Luke Winslow-King's next album, I'm Glad Trouble Don't Last Alw...

Normally we wait until Friday for these (hence the name Friday Freebie and all...) but we're really excited about this one and can't wait. Back in 2008 Letters to Cleo reunited for a handful of shows, two if which were at The Paradise in Boston, MA. These two shows were recorded and released as From Boston Massachusetts in 2009. Now, to celebrate their upcoming EP of new material and fall 2016 tour, they're releasing the live album for free via Noisetrade. From Boston Massachusetts is closer to Live Nation's Instant Live series with all mistakes and off tones remaining, but for me that's what a live recording should be. And these two shows were fantastic. Plus, free album! To download your copy of From Boston Massachusetts , head over to Noisetrade . For more information on Letters to Cleo, check out their website (although I'm not sure how up to date that is) and their Facebook . Video by YouTube user TheARR :

Living an hour outside of Boston, that gets factored into the choice to go see a show. There isn't a whole lot that makes it out my way. The closest city with any kind of music scene is Worcester, which is mostly for metal and cover bands. This past Saturday, The Sheila Divine and Weakened Friends made the journey out to the distant suburbs. The chance to see two of my favorite local bands at a venue with a parking lot and I could be home before 1 a.m.? Obviously something I couldn't miss. Despite The Sheila Divine and Weakened Friends playing together multiple times in the past year, this was my first chance to see Weakened Friends. Live they're just as raw and fun as you'd want them to be. Lead singer/guitarist Sonia Sturino has mastered the art of awkward stage banter, referencing the garbage bags that mysteriously covered the stage amps, the "Time to Fuck" neon light behind the bar, and bringing the fact that both "Worcester" and "Weaken...

We're definitely in the slow period for new releases right now. Co-Albums of the Week : Artist : Look Park Album : Look Park Quick Description : Side project from Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne. Why You Should Listen : Collingwood is an underrated songwriter in his own right, and this is a nice indie pop album. Overall Thoughts : Named after a park in Northampton, MA, this side project has flashes of FoW without feeling like a retread, and has some really high quality moments throughout. Rarely, when listening to it, do you feel like you're listening to Fountains of Wayne (which can't be said for a lot of other side projects) and the result here is just a quality record. Recommendation : Worth your time even in a busy week. Artist : Weakened Friends Album : Crushed Quick Description : Quick EP from the indie rockers. Why You Should Listen : Weakened Friends are great anyway, but this is a short listen with great songs. Overall Thoughts : "95...

In celebration of his birthday and as a thank you to his fans for the reception of his newest album Heavy Metal , Miles Nielsen has released a new song for free. "High Street" is a bit more new wave than I had expected, but it keeps the Americana sound we expect from Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts. We're not talking A Flock of Seagulls new wave, but maybe some early MTV era Tom Petty. There's also a great Morphine style discordant horn blast in the middle of the song, so there's something for virtually everyone. You can download "High Street" for free on Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts' Bandcamp . You can watch the video below, and be sure to pick up a copy of Heavy Metal (if you haven't already) on the band's website .

Ruby the RabbitFoot is a favorite around these parts, and in celebration of her new album coming out in a few weeks, her last album, New As New , is free on Noisetrade for a limited time bundled with the first two songs released off of her new album. An album I liked quite a bit when it came out , the new singles are pretty solid and an interesting tonal shift for her. I didn't mention it here, but she put out a split single a while back that includes a cover of one of my favorite guilty pleasure songs, Madonna's "Take a Bow." Even if you don't take advantage of this offer above (and you should!), enjoy the cover below:

Photo via Facebook I first became aware of lié last year when I saw their name as the opener for a Dead Milkmen west coast tour. I became fairly obsessed with their album Consent , so I was truly thrilled when I saw they have a new album due next month, along with a new single/video. "Truth" is heavy. Almost metal heavy. lié have discovered this amazing way of mixing gothic punk with thrashy indie rock that is custom made for any fan of heavy music. It's one of the most discordant songs I've heard in years that's not purposefully being experimental. It just is. lié's new album, Truth or Consequences , will be out on August 12 on Monofonus Press. You can watch the video for "Truth" below. For more information on lié, check them out on Bandcamp and Facebook . You can preorder Truth or Consequences here .

Another slowish week, but not without its gems. Album of the Week : Artist : PJ Album : Rare Quick Description : Groove-heavy R&B. Why You Should Listen : PJ might be a name you'll be hearing more lately if there's any justice in the world. Overall Thoughts : Either I'm just becoming more aware of it, or there has been an uptick in releases by young women doing some R&B that relies a lot on interesting instrumentation. PJ's the best of the recent lot, sounding familiar while still being different than a lot of what we're used to hearing. This is primarily R&B, but there's a lot here that jumps between genres and bounces around a bit, and none of it is bad. Even in a busy week this would be a highlight, but this is a great listen nonetheless. Recommendation : Best release of the week for sure. Artist : Jack and Amanda Palmer Album : You Got Me Singing Quick Description : Passion project of cover songs by one half of the Dresden Dolls ...

Photo credit: Nick McKinlay I have no idea how there is so much great Americana coming out of Australia and New Zealand lately, but I'm thrilled about it. After being blown away by Julia Jacklin's "Pool Party," I've been impatiently waiting to hear some more. Luckily, we now have "Leadlight." "Leadlight" is in the same vein as pool party, with a chilled out groovy take on Americana and country. What truly makes Jacklin stand out is her voice. It's tender without being fragile, and has this haunting quality to it. She's familiar and unique at the same time. We also finally have information on Julia Jacklin's debut album. Don't Let the Kids Win will be out on October 7 on Polyvinyl. You can watch the video for "Leadlight" below. A good chunk of it was filmed on the stage she performed musical theater on in high school. For more information on Julia Jacklin, check out her website . You can find her current, and quit...

Photo by Cara Robbins I'm going to challenge you all to give Alex Cameron a chance. I couldn't stand "She's Mine" the first time I listened to it, but now I'm nearing obsession. Alex Cameron is weird. It should be noted that Alex Cameron is a character, much like Father John Misty or pretty much everything David Bowie did. Musically, "She's Mine" is as minimalist as it gets with synths and some saxophone. I also implore you to actually watch the video, not just listen to it in the background. It features Alex Cameron dancing and singing, but is somehow hauntingly mesmerizing. It's like some weirdo David Lynch dance video. This isn't music you put on when you're heading to the beach with your family. This is what you put on when you're driving alone at night trying to figure out all the mistakes you've made in the last 1-30 years. Alex Cameron will release his debut album, Jumping the Shark, August 19 through Secretly Can...

Shakey Graves Photo by Ken Sears Here in New England, we're in the middle of a pretty terrible drought. We need rain desperately, and would take any rain that we can get. Unfortunately, rain finally came during this year's Green River Festival. Saturday was just cold and wet all day, while Sunday offered a short break before the downpour took over the day. Hooded sweatshirts aren't the usual clothing of choice at an outdoor music festival in July, but they dominated the weekend. The weather was so bad all hot air balloon rides were cancelled, which hasn't happened in decades, if ever. Luckily, the music was stellar enough to save the weekend. Here are some of the best things we saw. Leland Sundries Photo by Ken Sears Leland Sundries Leland Sundries' new album, Music for Outcasts , didn't connect with Jeff when it was released last month. To be honest, it didn't really work for me, either. I was surprised to find out that the songs work much ...

Another slow week with the holiday, but there's some great stuff. But why isn't the new Avalanches on Spotify yet?!?!?: Album of the Week : Artist : Lauren Mann Album : Dearestly Quick Description : Much-anticipated surprise release by the Canadian folkish singer-songwriter. Why You Should Listen : If you knew her previous album and how good it was, you'll likely love this. Overall Thoughts : Lauren Mann has been hinting at this album for some time now, and while the last few years have been slow due to illness and what have you, a surprise release on Friday was welcome for this album, and the fact that it's also really, really good doesn't hurt. Mann has a very distinct, recognizable style for me, and it comes clear in songs like "New Beginning" and "Make Smooth." For a year where there have been a lot of highly anticipated releases that didn't quite meet the expectations, it's great to hear an album that exceeds them. For a...

Photo by Emma Garland Based in London, Doe draw heavily from their 90s influences such as Sleater-Kinney and Weezer. The band formed in 2013 when Nicola Leel and Jake Popyura met through a classified ad (which I don't think has happened since 1996) and bonded over a love of horror films. After releasing various singles and EPs, and expanding to a three piece, Doe are set to release their debut album. "Sincere" is such an homage to the mid-90s you'll think it's some obscure song you heard on a CMJ  sampler. It's pure 90s indie rock tinged with just the slightest hint of punk. Doe's debut album, Some Things Last Longer Than You, will be released on September 9 via Old Flame Records. For more information on Doe, check out their official website . You can listen to "Sincere" below. 

A slow week with the American 4th of July holiday: Album of the Week : Artist : Bat for Lashes Album : The Bride Quick Description : Newest album from the indie songwriter, more conceptual than her past work. Why You Should Listen : Bat for Lashes is always interesting even if she doesn't absolutely hit it right. Overall Thoughts : A concept album revolving around love and marriage (I suppose), this album is ultimately great not so much because of the nature of the music on its own, but on the quality of the execution. You get the tone almost immediately on the first track, and then you get the full flow of the thing as "In God's House" hits. This is absolutely an album I need to spend more time with, but it's still a strong highlight nonetheless. Recommendation : The only true must-listen this week. Artist : Sara Watkins Album : Love in All the Wrong Ways Quick Description : Latest solo album from the Nickel Creek violinist/vocalist. Why You Shou...

You'll have three questions when you listen to the new-ish album by Rock Eupora: 1. Where did this guy come from? (Nashville) 2. How is he not completely gigantic? (No idea) 3. Are you sure this is free? Seriously? You're sure? (Yes!) Recorded in a basement, Soon the Sun Will Come is far lusher than your usual home basement recordings. The obvious comparison for Rock Eupora is Weezer, but the Weezer comparison is tricky. It has the hooks and pop sensibilities of current Weezer but with the spirit of The Blue Album  and Pinkerton. It's as if instead of 2016 Rivers Cuomo working with the 2016 Monkees, 1994 Rivers Cuomo worked with the 1965 Beach Boys. The album opener, "Sally Kate," is the perfect intro point. It's starts off pretty and lush, smoothing you into the band. By the end it's pure mid 90s power pop distortion. "How to Love" reminds me of the more mellow side of The Dismemberment Plan. My personal favorite, "I Wanna Be Alone,...