If It's Too Loud...

Artist : AJJ Album : Good Luck Everybody Quick Description : Andrew Jackson Jihad gets political (or, well, moreso than usual). Why You Should Listen : AJJ is always a good time. Overall Thoughts : Been a fan for a while now, and this is probably the most overtly political album they’ve done, which is interesting that it feels very restrained musically while being fairly unsubtle in its messaging. Does it work? As a fan of AJJ, it feels like a lighter AJJ album. A someone who is not a Trump fan, but not really a protest music guy, I suppose I appreciate how on-the-nose it is? It’s not likely to age too well on a whole, but that’s not the point at the end of it all. Recommendation : Worth a listen, but still has some interesting choices. Artist : Aoife Nessa Frances Album : Land of No Junction Quick Description : Gorgeous singer-songwriter music from an up-and-coming Irish songstress. Why You Should Listen : This is not the typical thing you expect, while still feeling f...

We've got a lot of albums out this week! Enough where we're gonna split this onto two days... Album of the Week : Artist : Thalia Zedek Band Album : Eve Quick Description : Latest album from an artist widely considered to be an underground legend. Why You Should Listen : Best release of the week from an artist that should be heard anyway. Overall Thoughts : I blame myself for not having any prior knowledge of Thalia Zedek or any of the bands she was in. Ken sent this over, though, and wow . This is a methodical, enjoyable listen from start to finish, feeling both complex and straightforward in its structure. The term "underground" often carries harder punkish connotations, but this feels more like some well-structured indie rock than anything, and it hit just right for me. Absolutely worth your time this week. Recommendation : A must listen. Artist : AJJ (Andrew Jackson Jihad) Album : The Bible 2 Quick Description : Latest album from the folk punk a...

Some friends got me into Andrew Jackson Jihad last year. While I wouldn't come right out and call them a favorite band, they scratch a very specific itch for me the way The Moldy Peaches and many Elephant 6 bands did back in the day. They're often political, occasionally profane, and they strike a great balance between funny and musically fascinating. To narrow down to 20 songs can be a little problematic, but they're also a band that requires some curation (at least to start). This is probably a good starting point, but just know that they enjoy the naughty language.

I can't tell you how good it feels to have a week jam-packed with new releases AND have them all be high-quality releases from top to bottom. Everyone can find a winner from this week's offerings. Andrew Jackson Jihad - Christmas Island : I'm a fairly recent convert to Andrew Jackson Jihad, a band that combines the melodic/instrumental sensibilities of The Mountain Goats with the best irreverent parts of the anti-folk movement. Christmas Island is their fifth album, and it's certainly their most ambitious from a musical level with a lot of the same craziness of their previous. Leadoff track and single "Temple Grandin" is a fuzzed out blast, and the album continues along a bit of a madcap vein throughout. I fully recognize that this band isn't for everyone (my wife in particular is displeased with them in general), but if this is truly your thing, you're in for a treat. Fujiya and Miyagi - Artificial Sweeteners : I first heard Fujiya and Miyagi...