If It's Too Loud...

Artist : PACKS Album : Take the Cake Quick Thoughts : This is so great, guys. It's fuzzy, slacked-out alt-rock with a ton going for it. PACKS is an indie act that had some lo-fi stuff out over last summer, and this proper first album is just a delight. I love everything about this, and I'm really looking forward to spending more time with the album. Songs of Note : "Silvertongue," "Hangman," "New TV" Artist : Bachelor Album : Doomin' Sun Quick Thoughts : A collaborative effort with Palehound and Jay Som, this is the sort of indie stuff you love to hear. There are a lot of great highlights throughout the record, but what I was most impressed with is how well the two acts complement each other. Some parts are better than others, but on a whole? There's a lot to love here, and a lot to look forward to on future listens. Songs of Note : "Stay in the Car," "Sick of Spiraling" Artist : Dispatch Album : Break Our...

While I don't regret seeing Wonder Woman over the weekend, 20 new releases and a lot of overtime at work left me with little time to write. A day late and a dollar short, here's an abbreviated highlights version of this week's releases. Must Listens This Week : * Benjamin Booker - Witness (Best release of the week. We loved his debut, and somehow he's gotten even better. It's scary good) * Marnie - Strange Words and Weird Wars (A favorite of the week, strange and striking album) * Alt-J - Relaxer (Maybe their weakest effort so far, and still one of the best of the week. Their singles always make more sense in the context of the album) * Rachel Baiman - Shame (Fun, addictive Americana) * Chastity Belt - I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone (The darker side of things with the recent resurgence of female-fronted alt-rock. Really great) * Dispatch - America, Location 12 (A solid comeback, and an album I'm really into) * Marika Hackman - I'm N...