If It's Too Loud...

Lots of EPs this week, but definitely the slowest week in a while. Artist : Phantastic Ferniture Album : Phantastic Ferniture Quick Description : A blog favorite lets her hair down with the help of some friends. Why You Should Listen : It's great indie rock from an artist who already knows how to write a great song. Overall Thoughts : A band featuring Julia Jacklin, a favorite around these parts, this is not only the best album in a short week, but one of the better albums of the summer. A solid pace, an indie rock feel while still being accessible, there is very little to complain about other than the band’s name (but I won’t hold that against them too much). Recommendation : Find time for this in your rotation. Artist : Various Artists Album : Sorry to Bother You: The Soundtrack Quick Description : Soundtrack for the buzzy movie of the summer from Boots Riley of The Coup. Why You Should Listen : There is absolutely no reason not to saddle up for this release. Over...

Photo by Ela Stiles Last month I compared "FFS" by Melbourne's Deaf Wish to Sonic Youth. Upon hearing their latest single, "The Rat is Back," that won't be a one time comparison. "The Rat is Back" is slower, but has that brooding and plodding that some of Sonic Youth's best possessed. Guitarist/vocalist  Jensen Tjhung even has more than a little of Thurston Moore's snarling sing/speaking going on. It might be just my wishful thinking as a die hard Sonic Youth fan, but I heard what sounded like a Lee Ranaldo answering guitar riff about halfway through. Basically, if you've been missing Sonic Youth and their members' solo projects aren't quite doing it for you, you're going to love Deaf Wish. You can watch the video for "The Rat is Back" below. Lithium Zion , the new album from Deaf Wish, will be out July 27 on Sub Pop. For more on Deaf Wish, check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp .

Photo by Ela Stiles Australia is in such a guitar rock revolution that we'll literally give any band from that country a shot. As soon as I saw Deaf Wish were from Melbourne, I knew I wanted to listen, and we should all be glad I did. "FFS" is a revelation. The song just drips with attitude and groove. The guitars are ripped straight out of a early 90's Sonic Youth song, and guitarist/vocalist Sarah Hardiman sounds like Joan Jett doing her best Bob Dylan impression. It's a combination of pure intensity and one I simply can't seem to get enough of. My only complaint of the song is it abruptly ends at two minutes nineteen seconds, which doesn't feel like nearly enough. You can watch the video for "FFS" below. The new album from Deaf Wish, Lithium Zion , will be available July 27 via Sub Pop. You can pre-order your copy here . For more on Deaf Wish, check them out on Bandcamp and Sub Pop's website .