If It's Too Loud...

I'm hoping this week is evidence that we're out of the summer slump! Album of the Week : Artist : Ruby the RabbitFoot Album : Divorce Party Quick Description : New album from folkie-turned-pop artist. Why You Should Listen : A shift in sound works out really well. Overall Thoughts : We first got a hint of Ruby the RabbitFoot's change in approach with her cover of Madonna's "Take a Bow" from last year , and I found the early songs released from this to be a little jarring. But hearing the album in full, I was feeling like this is sort of like what we might expect Madonna to sound like if she were just starting out now (and that's before getting to album highlight "Wild Cherry Chapstick," which opens with a declaration from Ruby where she admits to having a "sex dream about your brother"). This is a really solid listen and one I'm really looking forward to spending a lot more time with, it's a fun one. Might be jarring ...

Photo by Hilary Harris You don't usually think of Seattle and country music going together. Seattle is typically loud, and even when grunge was considered groundbreaking it was still grounded in classic psychedelic rock. And it's dark. Seattle bands just sound dark as hell. Well, Evening Bell are a country band from Seattle. And, since they're a country band in Seattle, it's dark country grounded in psychedelic classic rock. Also, Caitlin Sherman, one of Evening Bell's main singer/songwriters, brings her fascination of film composition to the songs, giving them this grand and majestic cinematic quality. Most country in 2016 either falls into the mainstream bro country or a complete throwback to classic country. Evening Bell are the increasingly rare blend of country that sounds completely fresh and unique.  Evening Bell's debut album, Dying Stars , will be released August 12. You can watch the video for "Tail Light" below.  For more information o...