If It's Too Loud...

Boston's Nicholas Burgess has released a new two song single entitled 1993 . It features two covers of songs from 1993: Nirvana's submission to the Beavis and Butthead Do America soundtrack, "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" and Pearl Jam's "Daughter." "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" is one of my very favorite Nirvana songs, and this might be the first time I've heard it covered. Both songs are interesting takes on the originals, featuring more electronic instrumentation than you'd expect on covers of grunge icons, but Burgess makes it work. "I Hate Myself and Want to Die" keeps the venom and force of the original, while "Daughter" is even more subdued (and groovier!) than Pearl Jam's original. Plus, the Nirvana cover features Rainy from Sapling on backing vocals! You can listen to Nicholas Burgess cover Nirvana and Pearl Jam below. The songs re currently available via Bandcamp . For more on Nicholas Burgess, check...

Artist : Yaeji Album : With a Hammer Quick Thoughts : Yaeji, in her short career, is known for her pretty awesome electronic music, and this is a stellar effort across the board. The songs are pretty memorable and provide a great electronic record when we haven't gotten a lot of solid stuff lately. In a busy week, it's worth the time. Songs of Note : "For Granted," "Michin" Artist : Daughter Album : Stereo Mind Game Quick Thoughts : I don't recall where I first tripped up on Daughter, but Stereo Mind Game is one of those sneaky albums that grabs you when you least expect it. Sometimes shoegazey, sometimes alt-rock, it's a gorgeous record with a ton to love from front to back. In a week where it could quite easily get overshadowed, make some time for it. Songs of Note : "Party," "Swim Back" Artist : Blondshell Album : Blondshell Quick Thoughts : I've been addicted to "Kiss City" for a few weeks now, an...

As acclaimed as it was, Lydia Loveless's 2016 album Real  just didn't quite work for me. Part of it is that I'm just not really a pop guy, and it was definitely a pop album. I'm sure another part of it was that I loved 2014's Somewhere Else  so much, and I was being a grumpy old man about the drastic change in sound.  That brings us to Daughter. Daughter is definitely a pop album (just check out the "I Would Die 4 U" vibe on "Wringer"), but it works much better for me. The main reason is that it melds Loveless's pop sensibilities with her older country and rock sounds. I've always appreciated hybrid sounds, and the edge and twang helps make the pop a little more palatable for me. The songwriting on Daughter is second to none. The songs on Daughter channel Loveless's emotions about her divorce, and it's heartbreaking on some songs and uplifting on others. But that's divorce. There are many great divorce albums out there (Marvin...

Photo by Megan Toenyes The new and highly awaited album from Lydia Loveless is due tomorrow, but we're getting to hear our most highly anticipated song from that album early! When we first heard about the album, we couldn't wait to hear "September" since it featured a guest appearance by Laura Jane Grace. The song is a gorgeous piano ballad, which isn't quite what I expected from the pairing of Loveless and Grace, but I can't argue with the result. A piano ballad always has the possibility of falling into the land of overly sappy, but Loveless and Grace avoid that. Just their vocals inject enough attitude, and lyrics like "Do you really wanna fuck with me" finish the job. Like many Loveless songs, it's beautiful on the surface, but the lyrics tell another story. You can watch the video for "September" below. Lydia Loveless explains the video:   “‘September’ is a song about the loneliness and ache of being a teenager. I wanted to d...

Photo by Megan Toenyes "Wringer," the latest single from Lydia Loveless, is an interesting listen for me. I wasn't a big fan of her 2016 pop turn on Real , and this new song is definitely her leaning into her pop sensibilities. But I genuinely love "Wringer." It has this interesting sound that's reminding me of early Madonna, back when she still had some rawness to her production. It's also one of the peppiest divorce songs I've ever heard. It still keeps the sadness of a huge break up with lyrics like  "How did it come to this / Dividing our possessions," but somehow keeps an upbeat feel. "Wringer" is going to up the intrigue for Loveless's upcoming album, no matter what you think of it. You can watch the video for "Wringer" below. Daughter , the new album from Lydia Loveless, will be out September 25 on her own Honey, You're Gonna Be Late Records. You can pre-order the album here . For more on Lydia Lovel...

Photo by Megan Toenyes As much as I hated having to wait four years for new music from Lydia Loveless, it's understandable. She chose to take a break after touring for Real , split from her husband, moved from Ohio to North Carolina, and... everything else that has happened over the past four years. She's back with a new single, and it was completely worth the wait. "Love Is Not Enough" is fantastic. It shows a melding of the more pop side Loveless explored on Real with her country roots. It's much less rambunctious than other songs we've heard from her in the past, which isn't a bad thing at all. "Love Is Not Enough" shows a songwriter truly coming into her own and growing in confidence. If this doesn't get you excited for her upcoming album, nothing will. Lydia Loveless says about the new song:  “The song is a response to the old-fashioned idea that love is all you need as opposed to understanding, or give and take. On a larger scal...

NOW we're back in the swing of things! Album of the Week : Artist : Savages Album : Adore Life Quick Description : The much anticipated sophomore album from the Mercury-nominated indie rock band. Why You Should Listen : Their first album was incredible. Overall Thoughts : While it lacks the sort of immediacy that their debut had, Adore Life is still a very strong, very loud record in many regards. While a first listen doesn't result in any standout tracks, the cohesive whole easily makes it the best thing released in this two week period, and it might have some staying power to boot. A very strong follow-up. No sophomore slump here. Recommendation : A must-listen this week. And go back and listen to their debut again, too. Artist : Eleanor Friedberger Album : New View Quick Description : Third solo album from the Fiery Furnaces co-lead. Why You Should Listen : You like the Fiery Furnaces or you don't like the Fiery Furnaces because they're too weird...