If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Hana Vu Album : Public Storage Quick Thoughts : In one of the more unsettling album covers in recent memory, it gives off abrasive vibes to what's actually a pretty solid poppy listen. This was unexpected in many different ways, and I didn't want to lose this one in the shuffle. A good record on a whole, with a lot that makes me think it's going to be a true grower. Songs of Note : "Keeper," "World's Worst" Artist : Recognize Ali Album : Underground King II Quick Thoughts : We dig Recognize Ali here, and this effort continues along the same lines of his previous work: a great flow with some great beats. I don't know how to talk about rap music, really, but I do know that I really enjoyed this album and wanted more of it. A true highlight. Songs of Note : "Murder in Daylight," "Giant Steps" Artist : Georgia Train Album : Needles and Pinches Quick Thoughts : I didn't know Georgia Train prior to this we...

I've been a huge fan of Prescott Park's live music line up for a few years now. It's live music from insanely great nationally touring bands in a beautiful waterfront park for next to nothing. Seriously, since it's a public park they technically can't charge an entrance fee, so instead they charge a $8-$10 "suggested donation." Trust me, though. You're going to be more than happy paying the suggested donation since it's usually a fraction of the band's normal ticket price and you'll want them to keep putting these on. I make the extra long trip whenever I can since I enjoy the venue more than some Boston theaters, and I've seen a few artists that tend to charge more than I like paying here for $10. Usually there are a handful of If It's Too Loud... approved bands every year, with the majority of the artists being more suited to our parents. This year though... wow. Here is a small selection of bands I think our readers will be exc...

Yes, I listened to 20 new releases over the course of the weekend. No, it's not going to be possible for me to do a detailed post for all of them, so we're gonna do some quick hits: Great Albums Worth Your Time This Week : * Tei Shi - Crawl Space : Probably my favorite of the week. Complex and compelling. * Goldfrapp - Silver Eye : A great electronic record this week from a group with a great track record. * British Sea Power - Let the Dancers Inherit the Party : Solid return to form for the British rock act. * Aimee Mann - Mental Illness : Her best release in well over a decade. * Lydia Ainsworth - Darling of the Afterglow : Gorgeous singer-songwriter music, deserves your attention. * Saltland - A Common Truth Solid Listens in a Busy Week : * Erin McKeown - Mirrors Break Back * Dave Davies and Russ Davies - Open Road * Sono Oto - Inheritance * Richard Edwards - Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset * Whereswilder - Hotshot * Dead Leaf Echo - Strawberry Skin * The Mave...

When I think of John Denver covers, J Mascis doesn't exactly come to mind. Nevertheless, here is a video for his track off the John Denver tribute album, The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver. I expected this to fall into his more acoustic work, but it's a plugged in version that would fit right in on a J Mascis and the Fog album. Sharon von Etten provides backing vocals, and of course there are multiple guitar solos that would melt the glasses off John Denver's face. The video features Aimee Mann and Jon Wurster as Denver fans that find love on a John Denver dating website. And puppets, because why the hell not, right? "Prisoners" by J Mascis and Sharon Van Etten from Aimee Mann