If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Ash and Eric (fka The Promise is Hope) Album : Sure Quick Thoughts : For all the talk of Central Massachusetts and greater New England being a hub for metal, it's stunning how much high-quality roots and folk music comes from these parts. The latest album from Ash & Eric, who many may know under their previous name The Promise Is Hope, released a new album this week that is stunningly gorgeous and rivals The Civil Wars in terms of the ability to pull together compelling songs and narratives with gorgeous melodies and harmonies both. I'm a little biased, as they have roots in my hometown, but I did not expect to outright love this album the way I do, and I think you should make time for it. Songs of Note : "Until My Heart Grows Quiet," "Church of the Concrete Wave," "Simon, Taylor, Denver, Cash" Artist : Lily Henley Album : Oras Dezaoradas Quick Thoughts : I didn't know Lily Henley before this week, but in terms of impress...

The latest from Brennen Leigh certainly doesn't sound like it's from 2022. "Obsessed with the West" sounds wonderfully vintage and timeless. There is a strong base in country and Americana, but the song also contains something else. Maybe it's Leigh's vocals, but "Obsessed with the West" sounds more like a Tin Pan Alley song about the West than an actual country and western song. It's not quite a showtune, but it's not exactly not a showtune, either. It's more like a very reserved song from a musical with some country leanings, and that certainly is not a bad thing. In a press release, Brennen Leigh says of her new song: "All the songs on this record are special to me, but this one is dearest to my heart. Ginny Mac came down to play accordion for us the day we recorded it. Her intro still chokes me up. I feel we caught that wistful spirit of the plains that isn’t always so easy to conjure. ‘Obsessed’ began as a love poem for that spa...

When you see a song title like "If Tommy Duncan's Voice Was Booze," you can probably guess what it's going to sound like, and you'd probably be right. The latest from Fargo born, one time Austin transplant, and current Nashville resident Brennen Leigh is classic country with a modern twist. This song is pure Western swing (probably because Asleep at the Wheel are the backing band here), and Leigh's vocals are just pure heaven. It's that smooth kinda classic country with a slight modern pop flair that you feel compelled to move to, even if it's just a little in your chair. If you even slightly enjoy the kind of country and Americana we tend to bring you, this is one you're going to love. You can listen to "If Tommy Duncan's Voice Was Booze" below. Obsessed with the West is due out May 6 on Signature Sounds and can be pre-ordered over at Bandcamp . For more on Brennen Leigh, check out the artist's website .