If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Tyler Childers Album : Long Violent History Quick Description : Great raw rootsy folk music. Why You Should Listen : This feels really pure and authentic. Overall Thoughts : I think what impresses me the most with this is that it sounds kind of dirty and dusty? It's kind of what I expect from roots music at its core, and this is just an expert effort. Mostly instrumental, but all great. Recommendation : A solid listen. Artist : Little Hag Album : Whatever Happened to Avery Jane Quick Description : First album under this name from Avery Mandeville. Why You Should Listen : Think Sarah Shook if she grew up on Tumblr. Overall Thoughts : I love love love love love this album. Little Hag is a really fun listen with some irreverent moments, some crazy great musicianship, and songs that make you smile just as much as they keep you bopping your head. This was a true surprise for me this week, and it's one that I'm sure has some real longevity. A really sol...

The rest for the week: Artist : Cults Album : Offering Quick Description : Latest from the buzzy reverb rockers. Why You Should Listen : Cults has made enough of a splash that they're worth a listen. Overall Thoughts : Everyone knows "Go Outside," but this third album moves in a bit more of a poppy direction for them, and it works in the sense that they absolutely have hit their stride as a band, but this is a sound that hasn't quite stayed as relevant as one might expect. I feel like I'm damning this with faint praise, but this album is just good, but not essential in a busy week. Recommendation : Perhaps a fans-only affair. Artist : Liam Gallagher Album : As You Were Quick Description : Former Oasis frontman with his debut solo effort. Why You Should Listen : You really liked Oasis. Overall Thoughts : This is an okay album. It's not good, it's not bad. But Liam will always be compared to Noel, and we have a High Flying Birds record comi...

In a slower week than we've had as of late, there seems to be a common theme... The Avett Brothers - Magpie and the Dandelion : Many have heralded this album (songs of which came out of the same sessions as last year's The Carpenter ) as the next Migonette from the Avett catalog. While I'm still waiting for the next Emotionalism , this is now the third album in a row where the Avetts seem to be happy to fill a more roots/bluegrass-oriented spot next to The Lumineers or Mumford and Sons as opposed to the mix of bluegrass, punk, and rockabilly that their earlier works had. While I and Love and You was a worthy, superlative breakthrough, it appears the Avetts are sticking with what broke them through as opposed to what worked about their sound, which means you get a handful of great songs and a few more unmemorable moments. I wanted more, I wanted different. Paul McCartney - New : As someone who was never really able to get into the Beatles for whatever reason (people...