If It's Too Loud...

Unfortunately, Woody Guthrie's 1948 song "Deportee" is as timely as it was almost eight decades ago. Eilen Jewell has released a cover of the song, and as great as it is and as much as I want to praise it, the fact that it exists because of the current political climate is far too depressing for that. If this was merely a few years ago, we could look at this as a great cover of a great song, and discuss the historical significance of the song. However, this is 2026 and "Deportee" is once again filled with truth as we look at the state of our country. I'm personally looking forward to when we can once again hear songs like this without shuddering. Eilen Jewell says of her latest single: "I first heard 'Deportee' when I was a teenager. I can't recall which version it was, but I remember I was babysitting a little girl who was about six years old. She put it in the cd player, cranked it up, and started singing along loudly in a sweet and mournf...

Artist : Field Mouse Album : Meaning Quick Description : New album from indie favorites in these parts. Why You Should Listen : This is a much more introspective, quiet record in many regards. Overall Thoughts : Field Mouse has been a favorite of ours since we tripped up on them. Their first album was in constant rotation, their second a nice sidestep into a more robust, mature sound, and this new album continues that evolutionary trend. Equal parts witty and introspective (not that the ideas are exclusive to each other), the more prominent acoustic guitar combined with a continued separation from the more dreamy alt-rock that put FM on the radar makes for an interesting listen that I fully enjoyed on first listen while wondering what else it will uncover in future rotations. Definitely one of the better releases of the week. Recommendation : A must-listen this week. Artist : Lillie Mae Album : Other Girls Quick Description : Expertly crafted roots music. Why You Should Li...

Another busy week, so let's play two! Album of the Week : Artist : Phoebe Bridgers Album : Stranger in the Alps Quick Description : Debut album from a buzzy singer-songwriter. Why You Should Listen : You will love her. No question. Overall Thoughts : I’ll be honest: I only added this to my playlist rotation for this week because the title of the album made me laugh out loud. Ken had the same reaction to it when I told him to listen to it, and if a good album title gets this into a few more hands, all the better, because this is a GREAT folk album. Easily the best release of the week, Phoebe Bridgers successfully balances an often-sparse instrumentation effort with some really melodic stuff and interesting… well, everything. It’s a hard space to innovate in, and Bridgers is making a definite effort in modernizing a genre that is very rooted in its past. She’s a little profane, a little fun, and ridiculously talented... Recommendation : ...so make this a priority listen...

A much smaller release week with the American holiday. Zhala - Zhala : When it comes to acts I don't know that I seek out for this weekly post, I try not to look up anything about them until I'm done listening to the album. It's hard enough to listen to things when you carry a preconceived notion, never mind having undue expectations. This feels like a 90s-retro dance record, which is great, and it came as a pleasant surprise that Zhala is signed to Robyn's label, as the sound fits right in. Whether this has the staying power Robyn has shown remains to be seen, but this was definitely my favorite listen this week. Remembering Mountains: Unheard Songs of Karen Dalton : A tribute album of sorts for folky Karen Dalton, what turned me onto this were who they got involved with the project, including Sharon van Etten, Marissa Nadler, and Lucinda Williams. It's a good little folk compilation on a whole with artists you know, and that makes it worth a listen on its ...