If It's Too Loud...

Album of the Week : Artist : Fox Face Album : Spoil and Destroy Quick Description : Solid, energetic punk rock. Why You Should Listen : You're looking for something a little more authentic. Overall Thoughts : There has been no lack of female-fronted punk acts as of late, and Foxface definitely comes across as the rawest of the batch so far. It reminds me a lot of Be Your Own Pet, except it feels more authentic? And then I was won over for good with their take on “Toxic,” which was awesome. So this was a favorite of this week, and I can't wait to dive back in. Recommendation : Good for everyone, great for punk fans. Artist : Mark "Porkchop" Holder Album : Death and the Blues Quick Description : Garage-influenced blues rock. Why You Should Listen : Another authentic-sounding listen. Overall Thoughts : This is just a really fun, really solid blues rock record. Definitely some garage elements here, and would have really fit right in 15 years ago but work...

Way back in 2011, Mr. Lif was invited to play the Seattle Folk Festival. (It might seem like an odd venue for him, but for those of us who've been following Mr. Lif for a while, it makes perfect sense. Also, how aren't more folk festivals booking hip hop artists by now?) He didn't have a backing band, so he was paired up with Brass Menazeri, San Francisco's original Balkan Brass Band. It went so well that they've all joined up for an album coming out next month. "Crypt of Lost Styles" is virtually perfect. For decades, hip hop artists have been sampling horns, and now Mr. Lif has the energy of a live brass section behind him. It's a sound that's completely obvious in how perfect it all melds, but hasn't really been done before. It's pure old school hip hop through this glorious new prism that feels familiar even though it's completely fresh. You can listen to "Crypt of Lost Styles" below. Mr. Lif & Brass Menazeri...