If It's Too Loud...

A twofer for the dog days of summer... Artist : Bethany Cosentino Album : Natural Disaster Quick Thoughts : Back in high school, I was a big big fan of Nina Gordon's post-Veruca Salt debut solo album, and I kept going back to that in my head with Bethany Cosentino's debut solo effort sans Beach House. They're different albums, for sure - Gordon's was more pop compared to Cosentino's radio-friendly-indie-folk leans here, but in as much as they both seem like albums worthy of sending their respective careers into the stratosphere, all the better. This is a great album with some of the catchiest hooks you'll hear all summer, and it rightfully belongs in the list of one of the best of this year. Songs of Note : "Outta Time," "It's Fine," "A Single Day," "My Own City," "Calling on Angels" Artist : Guided by Voices Album : Welshpool Frillies Quick Thoughts : According to Wikipedia, Robert Pollard of Guided ...

Photo by Phil Silverberg We tend to love supergroups around here, and the latest discovery is Quiz Show. The new band is fronted by Chris Matthews (Shudder to Think), and include Kevin March (Guided By Voices, The Dambuilders) and Jesse Krakow. "Dime a Dozen" shows an experienced band playing some of the most killer 90's style indie rock out there. Many other musicians with this type of pedigree seem to slow down and mellow out a bit, but that doesn't seem to be the case with Quiz Show. "Dime a Dozen" may not be loud and furious indie rock, but any mellowness seems to be maturity than losing an edge. This what you wish your favorite 90's indie rock band still sounded like. You can listen to "Dime a Dozen" below. Quiz Show's self-titled debut is due out March 17 on Magic Door Record Label. The album can be pre-ordered through Bandcamp . For more on Quiz Show, check out the band's Facebook and Instagram . Quiz Show by Quiz Show

A solid week! Album of the Week : Artist : Matt Pond PA Album : Still Summer Quick Description : Latest from the indie rock act. Why You Should Listen : This is their best effort yet in a series of solid listens. Overall Thoughts : Matt Pond PA’s continuing to put out high quality records. This might be their third since the band announced they were finishing up, but I’m fine with seeing more releases if they’re this good. The title track is great indie power pop with a light touch, and of course we love “The Ballad of Matt and Laura” around these parts. Truly, they’ve put out three of their best albums in recent succession, and this is continuing along those lines. Recommendation : A solid listen and the best of the week. Artist : David Rawlings Album : Poor David's Almanack Quick Description : Gillian Welch collaborator with a new album of rootsy goodness. Why You Should Listen : David Rawlings is responsible for some of the purest roots music going. Overall T...

A surprisingly slow week considering how busy the recent weeks have been. Album of the Week : Artist : Jason Wilber Album : Echoes Quick Description : Some solid singer-songwriter tunes. Why You Should Listen : Jason Wilber has a sound that's a little unexpectedly unique. Overall Thoughts : I don't know when this album hooked me for good, but I will say that a good cover tacked on at the end will leave a great impression overall. If you start with his take on "I Am the Cosmos" and go back from there, you might get a better understanding of Wilber's sound and approach. This is a pretty great album on a whole, and is the only thing that sounds like this that I heard this week. Recommendation : Absolutely worth your time. Artist : The Legendary Pink Dots Album : Pages of Aquarius Quick Description : Latest album by the long-standing rock band. Why You Should Listen : They've been around for over 35 years, so they're probably worth a listen on...