If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Social Distortion Album : Born to Kill Quick Thoughts : Often, when an old or longtime wrestler comes out and does well, the crowd starts a "you still got it!" chant. While I don't know if that implies Social Distortion ever lost it, never mind needing to qualify "it" with "still," the reality is that Born to Kill is exactly what I wanted from a Social Distortion album in 2026. We're coming up on 50 years of Social Distortion and they're still consistent and interesting, and still unafraid to drop an unexpected cover song. Sure, it took 15 years to get here, but Born to Kill was ultimately worth the wait for me. Songs of Note : "No Way Out," "Tonight," "Wicked Game," "Never Goin' Back Again" Artist : India Ramey Album : Villain Era Quick Thoughts : There are plenty of women doing the classic country thing, and some are more successful than others. I place India Ramey fully...

Photo by Jen Squires It may be out tomorrow, but we can't wait to hear the new album from Abigail Lappell, so here's one last single! Each song on Shadow Child represents one month of pregnancy, and "Whistle Song (One in a Million)" is the first song on the album. It's mostly a straightforward singer-songwriter/folk song... except for when it's not. Lappell has a special ability to make songs that skirt right up to the edge of traditional folk while still keeping the sound uniquely hers. "Whistle Song (One in a Million)" is a beautiful track that captures a distinct feeling of hope. Released just in time for Mother's Day weekend, Shadow Child is sure to be a special release. You can watch the video for "Whistle Song (One in a Million)" below. Shadow Child is due out May 8 on Outside Music, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Abigail Lappell, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook . Upcoming tour dates are below th...

Photo by Jen Squires Abigail Lappell's upcoming album is a collection of nine songs, each representing a month of pregnancy. Her latest single, "So Long," is the seventh song on the album. It's a powerful and uplifting track featuring vocals from Pharis Romero. According to the press release, it's "... a ballad of maritime tragedy and reproductive choice." It's a waltz featuring acoustic guitar and accordion, giving the song a classic and traditional folk feel. Plus, the harmonies between Lappell and Romero are absolutely mesmerizing. We've long been fans of Lappell's, so we're obviously thrilled to have any new music from the Toronto artist. When a song is as transfixing as "So Long," you'll quickly see why we're such fans. You can listen to "So Long" below. Shadow Child is due out May 8 on Outside Music, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Abigail Lappell, check out the artist on Instagram and ...

Photo by Jen Squires Abigail Lapell's albums tend to have a theme, but her upcoming album might have the most obvious one so far. Recorded while she was pregnant, the nine songs on Shadow Child represent each month of a pregnancy. The first single, "Hazel," is the second song on the album and features additional vocals from Jill Barber. It's an absolute stunning song, with gentle guitar and vocals. It's a stripped down and simple folk song that, according to the press release, "... is a gentle love letter to an unborn or future child, or one that may never be." Lapell and Barber's vocals are the true focus of the song, and are absolutely lovely with a sense of hopefulness. We've been fully on board with Abigail Lapell for a while now, and "Hazel" continues her streak of instantly engaging folk songs. Abigail Lapell says the video for her latest single was created "...  using old super 8 footage I filmed as a teenager and recently r...

This one should probably be higher on my list than #10, but I may have burnt myself off on it by leaving the CD in my car for months. Abigail Lapell's fifth album, Anniversary , is an amazing mix of traditional folk and modern folk. The album opener, "Anniversary," is a beautiful and light love song that sets the mood for the rest of the album. A song like "Count On Me," one of the tracks that Lapell collaborated with Great Lake Swimmers on, has a more modern feeling while still being rooted in tradition. "Rattlesnake" and "Flowers In My Hair" are more traditional while still sounding like music recorded this decade. The latter was recorded in a church and consists of vocals, handclaps, and foot stomps. Anniversary is one of the more compelling folk releases of the year, and is a showcase for Lapell's fantastic songwriting and vocals. If you haven't checked this album out yet, it's definitely time to. Songs of note: "Count On...

We're huge fans of Abigail Lapell here at If It's Too Loud... Her latest album, Anniversary , is all but guaranteed a spot in our end of the year lists, so when she announced a tour that hit three New England locations this past weekend, we had to check out at least one of them. The one that ended up working out the best was Saturday night at the legendary Club Passim. Abigail Lapell's music was even more mesmerizing in person. Playing solo, she captivated the crowd right from the start. It helps that Club Passim never gets a bad crowd, with an audience that is always attentive and responsive. That worked perfectly for Lapell's set of delicate Canadian folk songs. Playing a large number of songs from her latest album, Lapell just has this natural on stage presence that leaves you desperate to hear more. Songs like "Count On Me" and "Rattlesnake" (my personal favorite from Anniversary ) were even more engaging in a live setting.  Something unexpected ...

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. And since we're in outdoor music season, these events are weather permitting. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend: Friday May 31 The Wolff Sisters and Molly O'Leary at Askew, Providence, RI Zip-Tie Handcuffs, Kal Marks, and Idiot Genes at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Buffalo Tom at The Drake, Amherst, MA Hubby Jenkins at The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint, Medford, MA The Promised End, Origami Summer, Miniluv, and One Fall at Koto, Salem, MA Abigail Lapell and Helen Hummel at The Parlor Room, Northampton, MA Saturday June 1 Abigail Lapell and Audrey Pearl at Club Passim, Cambridge, MA Fiel...

Artist : Abigail Lapell Album : Anniversary Quick Thoughts : We got an advance listen of this one and I'll say that this album feels like her most cohesive and immediate set of tunes so far. I love so much of this, and the fact that the Great Lake Swimmers have involvement just adds additional value. Abigail Lapell does folk music better than most, so give this a spin. Songs of Note : "Annivesary Song," "Rattlesnake," "Blue Blaze" Artist : Potatohead People Album : Eat Your Heart Out Quick Thoughts : I don't know if we're in a golden age of hip hop producers putting out great music or what, but Potatohead People were new to me and I am officially a fan. A solid album of beats and beeps with cool guest spots, and it just works from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this one. Songs of Note : "Last Nite," "Distant Luv," "Follow Your Heart," "Secret Mission," "For the Soul" Artist : Lunch...

Photo by Jen Squires We're trying to be patient for the new album from Abigail Lapell to be released on Friday. The Toronto singer-songwriter has been blowing us away with each new single, and anticipation is high here at If It's Too Loud... Luckily, we have one last single to tide us over, because sometimes a day can be too long to wait. "Flowers in my Hair" is an acapella track that's just Lapell's vocals, backing vocals, and foot stomps and handclaps to provide a beat. The result is a sunny, upbeat track keeping with folk traditions while modernizing them a bit. The fact that the album was recorded live in a church just adds to a song like "Flowers in my Hair." Plus, a song like this is perfectly timed just as we're starting to get the first Spring weather here in New England. Abigail Lapell says of her latest single: "'Flowers In My Hair' is a summery song about skinny dipping and lying around sunbathing, covered in flowers, and ...

Photo by Jen Squires While we impatiently wait for the new album from Abigail Lapell, the Toronto singer-songwriter has a new single out. "Count on Me" sees Lapell teaming with Great Lake Swimmers on a song that is somewhat folky. The song has this odd power behind it, despite being relatively quiet and reserved. It's an uplifting and hopeful song without ever getting remotely cheesy. The focus of "Count on Me" is the vocal pairing of Lapell and Tony Dekker, who might just be meant to sing duets. This is a simple and powerful song that will just sink itself into your psyche and refuse to let go. Abigail Lapell says of her latest single: “I started writing ‘Count on Me’ for my sister’s wedding and finished it in time for her first anniversary. It’s a song for me that evokes marriages or funerals or other life ceremonies.” You can watch the video for "Count on Me" below. Anniversary is due out May 10 on Outside Music, and is available for pre-order here ...

Photo by Jen Squires The latest single from Toronto's Abigail Lapell exists as a conundrum. "Rattlesnake" is based in traditional folk, but it also sounds completely modern. The track sounds like it has a looping element, and Lapell's electric guitar sounds completely modern. The guitar might be the secret weapon of the song, as it has a modern quality that is somehow haunting. The way the guitar mixes with Lapell's vocals creates this element that is oddly comforting while still clashing a bit. It's like the modern and the past are being forced to find a common ground, and while they are, it's not entirely comfortable. Abigail Lapell says of her latest single: “Rattlesnake is an ode to love and superstition. The trad-inspired track combines powerhouse vocals and slightly distorted finger-style electric guitar. The serpentine melody unspools around a catchy refrain, doubling vocal lines about archaic love omens and herbalist incantations to timeless yet mo...