If It's Too Loud...

Aesop Rock has been in the game for close to three decades now, and still remains at the top of the more underground / independent scene. I honestly don't know why he's not everyone's favorite rapper, but (especially in the last few years) he's become one of mine, and Black Hole Superette , one of two albums he released this year, is Aesop Rock at his best. Aesop Rock's more recent albums have been thematically aligned in scope, even when they somewhat veer from the topic. Black Hole Superette definitely gives off the sort of vaporwave vibes that play well in some circles, but I'm personally more impressed by his continued ability to put together ideas in such a complicated delivery at one moment before jumping in with a song about forever-multiplying snails in the next. The unexpectedness is as enjoyable as the journey, and I went back to this album so much over the year that it was impossible for me not to consider it a favorite. Songs of note:...

The last two weeks because I know I'm not going to get to this. Highlights: Artist : Aesop Rock Album : I Heard It's a Mess There Too Songs of Note : "Crystals and Herbs," "Full House Pinball," "The Cut," "Opossum," "Poly Cotton Blend" Artist : Anna von Hausswolff Album : ICONOCLASTS Songs of Note : "Facing Atlas," "The Iconoclast," "The Whole Woman," "The Mouth," "Stardust," "Struggle with the Beast" Artist : Sorry Album : Cosplay Songs of Note : "Jetplane," "Antelope," "Today Might Be the Hit," "Waxwing," "JIVE" Artist : The Mountain Goats Album : Through this Fire Across from Peter Balkan Songs of Note : "Fishing Boat," "Dawn of Revelation," "Peru," "Armies of the Lord," "Broken to Begin With" Artist : Sabine McCalla Album : Don't Call Me Ba...

I've been absolutely crushed with real world stuff, so here are some of my favorite listens of the last few weeks. A playlist on the bottom made for the shuffle for other highlights. Artist : Aesop Rock Album : Black Hole Superette Quick Thoughts : There were a ton of great rap albums out the last few weeks, but this one in particular stuck with me and not only because I'm an Aesop Rock fanboy who grades everything he does on a curve. The album's cohesive structure feels a little more the lostwave extension of Integrated Tech Solutions which is absolutely something I'm here for. No skips found. Songs of Note : "Secret Knock," "Checkers," "Movie Night," "1010WINS," "Send Help," "John Something," "Ice Sold Here," "Bird School," "Steel Wool," "Charlie Horse," "The Red Phone" Artist : The Minus 5 Album : Oar On, Penelope! Quick Thoughts : The proli...

Concept albums can be very hit-or-miss, but Aesop Rock's second straight solo concept record after Spirit World Field Guide is not only his best solo effort in some time, but is one of his best efforts period. There's always a danger, when having a "technology and its impacts" piece of art in front of you, that it becomes incredibly strident, dated, and out-of-step (if not out of touch entirely - looking at you, The Circle by Dave Eggers). Aesop Rock puts that aside very early, setting up the aesthetic from the very start before the driving... everything of "Mindful Solutionism." From there it's classic Aesop Rock - "Pigeonometry" feels vast and elevated in its scope, "Kyanite Toothpick" having a battle rap feel, and even a more spoken-word piece like "On Failure" feels on brand and on point. In short? This album rules, and I'm glad it exists. Songs of Note: "Mindful Solutionism," "In...

Artist : Palm Ghosts Album : I Love You, Burn in Hell Quick Thoughts : Palm Ghosts is a band I always like hearing from, and this new album is up there with their best. A solid listen with a lot of super catchy songs (including the title track which is outstanding) and it becomes a cool little indie rock record that's a ton of fun. In what's a slow week, it's worth your time. Songs of Note : "I Love You, Burn in Hell," "Automatic for the Modern Age," "Enemy Mine" Artist : Aesop Rock Album : Integrated Tech Solutions Quick Thoughts : If I have any musical regrets, it's taking as long as it did for me to get into Aesop Rock. In as much as this has some conceptual feel to it like his recent work, this is just outstanding at the level of how great the individual songs are, never mind how well they work on an album level. "Pigeononmetry" in particular is a highlight, but if I'm being honest this is one of the better rap ...

Artist : Carissa Johnson Album : Blue Hour Quick Thoughts : We've been fans of Carissa Johnson here for a while, and this new album really seems to up the game a bit. It's a loud, brash slice of indie rock with hooks and melodies that stick in ways I didn't anticipate going in. This was one of the more anticipated listens for me this week, and it delivers in spades. One of the best of the week. Songs of Note : "Wasting Dreams," "Running Uphill," "Merry Go Round," "Tourist," "The Outline" Artist : Zuzu Album : Queensway Tunnel Quick Thoughts : I first caught wind of Zuzu with her 2016 debut single " Get Off ," a song that remains an all-time favorite. Five years later, we get the debut album we've been waiting for, and it's solid. She knows how to make some catchy songs along with some great guitar work, and I'm overall pretty impressed with this debut. Keep an eye out for her. Songs of N...

Artist : Aesop Rock Album : Spirit World Field Guide Quick Description : Latest effort from the indie underground rapper. Why You Should Listen : He's a consistent voice and this effort is as high quality as anything he's produced. Overall Thoughts : This is his first album of material that isn't a collaboration or a soundtrack effort in close to five years. While he hasn't stayed idle, he hasn't missed a beat, either, and the maturity that surrounds this (while it's a lot to expect someone nearing 40 to resonate with a rap album, a lot of stuff here cuts deep) makes it something a little more special than the other rap efforts this week. The album is fairly conceptual, but also succeeds in having parts that work great independent of the whole. This is a great starting point if you've never listened before, but longtime fans like myself will find plenty to enjoy. Recommendation : A great listen this week. Artist : William Basinski Album : ...

There's a lot of decent stuff this week but, like last week, not a lot of truly standout material. Album of the Week : Artist : Lera Lynn Album : Resistor Quick Description : Latest album by the folk/country artist, fresh off of her turn with True Detective . Why You Should Listen : Lera Lynn has always been great, and it's about time she got some broader exposure. Overall Thoughts : Honestly, hearing "Shape Shifter" earlier made me a little wary, but I shouldn't have been. Yes, this is a more accessible album than I expected but that is more than okay. There are poppy elements to go along with her more traditional sound, and, really, the only flaw in this album is that her True Detective songs didn't make the cut. Even in a week with a lot of great listens, this would be worth some time, but this is still far and away my favorite listen this week, and right in the wheelhouse if you like a lot of what we feature here. Recommendation : A must liste...