If It's Too Loud...

Artist : John Davis Album : JINX Quick Thoughts : "Sucked Out" by Superdrag is basically the quintessential alt-rock song of my high school years. I associate it with the station tag for WBCN, I probably sing the opening verse once a week, and so on. The band had a few great albums before breaking up, and have done the requisite reunion stuff, but lead singer and songwriter John Davis has kept busy throughout it all. JINX was apparently meant to be a new Superdrag record, but it's released under his name and it's honestly and truly an amazing throwback. Loved everything about this, it's power pop the way it's meant to be, and I'm really looking forward to more time with it. Songs of Note : "The Future," "Please Be My Love," "Already Drowned," "Free to Fall," "In Between the Waves," "I'm Sorry" Artist : JD McPherson Album : Nite Owls Quick Thoughts : I don't always gel with blu...

Album of the Week : Artist : Julia Jacklin Album : Crushing Quick Description : New album from a favorite around these parts. Why You Should Listen : If there's any justice in the world, Jacklin will be much more well-known by the end of this year. Overall Thoughts : While everyone was busy looking at the Dacus/Bridgers/Baker triumvirate of up-and-coming singer songwriters last year, Julia Jacklin was quietly pulling up in the left lane and is poised to own 2019 if her second album is any indication. I had an inkling that Phantastic Fernature, her more rocking side project, might be a little instructive, but I will say that this new album works in a lot of ways her already-solid debut album may not have. The first two songs grabbed my attention , and hearing lead single “Pressure to Party” in the context of the full album gave it some extra heft I didn’t hear in my initial listens. One of the best, if not the best, of the week, and is almost certain to make a number of yea...

Lots to get to today... Album of the Week : Artist : Desperate Journalist Album : Grow Up Quick Description : Poppy post punk. Why You Should Listen : You still have some Doc Martens in the closet and want to party. Overall Thoughts : My favorite listen of the week from a band I did not know at all prior to this release, the best way I can describe them is Bully/Wolf Alice merged with Savages to give a fairly unique post-punkish sound that still has some solid poppy elements. A lot of releases this week and few truly grabbed me the way this one did. I sent it to Ken to listen to very early on in my listen, and this might be one of those weird dark horse albums that stays in my rotation for a while. Well done. Recommendation : Best of the week. Artist : Luke Reed Album : Won't Be There Quick Description : Indie poppish singer-songwriter stuff. Why You Should Listen : You need that album to usher in the spring/summer months. Overall Thoughts : A member of Bent Sha...