If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Rouse Productions There are a million covers of The Smiths out there, so props to The Persian Leaps for choosing a lesser known song to cover. "Jeane" was originally the B-side to "This Charming Man," and since it might be the closest The Smiths got to power-pop, it might be the perfect song for The Persian Leaps to cover. The Minneapolis band gives it a sheen of fuzzy guitars and makes it sound much more 1994 than 1983. It's more along the lines of bands like Guided By Voices and The Lemonheads than 80's New Wave, but it still sounds enough like The Smiths to make it an obvious cover of theirs. You can listen to The Persian Leaps take on "Jeane" below. The song is available as a single on Land Ski Records via Bandcamp . For more on The Persian Leaps, check out the band's website . Jeane [Single] by The Persian Leaps

We've been writing about Minneapolis's The Persian Leaps for almost as long as If It's Too Loud... has existed. Their blend of 90's-ish bouncy alt-rock is kind of our thing, so we're going to excuse them for this one. According to Drew Forsberg, their new song was inspired by: "The Simon & Garfunkel song "America" came up on my iPhone. As I was singing along to the great lines "Cathy, I'm lost, I said though I knew she was sleeping", I was inspired to write a song with a slight twist on those lyrics: "Kathy, I'm a lost cause." So, I started singing it to myself and had the first two-thirds of the song worked out by the time I was done skiing. When I got home, I figured out the chords and finished it up. That never happens! The song is a fairly tongue-in-cheek, exaggerated take on lack of self-confidence; honeslty, the lyrics are basically a delivery mechanism for the hooks in the verses and choruses. I don't rea...

Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, The Persian Leaps have been an early favorite of If It's Too Loud... They have this great jangly guitar pop sound that we've compared to The Afghan Whigs and The Sheila Divine in the past. The band is back with a new EP, Bicycle Face, which may be their best to date. The Persian Leaps haven't changed their sound on Bicycle Face. Instead they've perfected it. Bicycle Face  is a collection of five incredibly tight indie rock pop songs. It reminds me a ton of the mid 90's when fuzzed out guitars and catchy as hell hooks were all the rage of 120 Minutes. The EP's opener, "Picture My Reaction," is this indie rock anthem that shoots for arenas with it's pure size and force. "Even Less" could secretly be an outtake from Superdrag's Regretfully Yours.  You can listen to "Picture My Reaction" below. Bicycle Face is available now on Land Ski Records. You can get your own copy over at Bandcamp . ...

Photo by Deleter It's been a little while since we've heard from Minneapolis' Deleter, but luckily for us all they're back with a new song and soon a new EP. Meaningless Chants  is the most outwardly political release from Deleter comprised of "... five anthems of the absurd for an absurd time." The first song from Meaningless Chant , "Start to Watch," is still right in Deleter's vein of modern post punk, but it's a lot poppier than 2015's Oblique Seasons  was. Even though this term grates on me, I'm going to call it post pop-punk. It's angry, but you'll get pulled into it's catchy hooks and bop along to it long before you even care what they're raging against. Deleter's new EP, Meaningless Chants , will be available on cassette and digital download on January 21st on Land Ski Records. For more on Deleter, check out their Bandcamp and Facebook .

Ripper are punk rock. The band lists their influences as Dead Kennedys, Germs, Sonic Youth, and The Beach Boys. The first three make sense together, but The Beach Boys may sound like an odd one until you listen to "On the Curb." It's hard, fast, and ferocious (you know, like punk), but there is a sense of melodies and hooks in there, too. But that doesn't make it pop punk. Not even close. This is one of those rare occasions where a band lists their influences and they actually listened to them AND are influenced by them! They don't rewrite the rules of punk at all, nor are they a throwback act. It's just good, solid punk. And sometimes, that's what you need. Ripper's second EP, A.D. , will be released on December 4th on Land Ski Records and Lawn Chair Records. You can listen to "On the Curb" below, and be sure to check them out on Bandcamp , Facebook , and Twitter .

Photo by Deleter I didn't know how much I needed a band like Minneapolis' Deleter before I heard them. I also have no idea how I have never heard a band with this sound before. It seems like a pretty obvious pairing. They start off with a backbone of Gang of Four minimalist but danceable post punk and then throw the noise crescendo of Sonic Youth behind it. "Seclusion" basically combines "Damaged Goods" with "Teenage Riot." Somehow they cram all that into 2 minutes and 13 seconds, making it one of the few songs I wish went on much longer.  Deleter's debut album, Oblique Seasons, is due out December 7 on Land Ski Records. You can listen to "Seclusion" below. For the time being, be sure to check out Deleter on Bandcamp , Facebook , and Twitter .

The Persian Leaps are back with their third EP in as many years. High & Vibrate keeps in line with their jangly, fuzzed out guitar pop reminiscent of mid-90s power pop bands, but they're showing a heavy 60s influence with solid, catchy hooks. "Under the Lilacs" has a guitar jangle that will suck you in with a heavy bass buzz hiding underneath. "Dottie, Queen of the West" is perfect for anyone that skipped the whole Blur vs Oasis debate and skipped to Suede and The Charlatans. It's guitar pop in its best form. High & Vibrate is out now on Land Ski Records. You can listen to it via The Persian Leaps' Bandcamp . While you're at it, like the band on Facebook and check out their website . If you're in Minneapolis, you can see them November 5 at Kitty Cat Klub and December 5 at Palmer's Bar. If not, you'll have to be content with watching their video for "Under the Lilacs" below.

Photo by Ellen Lawson In just over 2 minutes, Minnesota's Edger may have the catchiest song of the year. It's the type of indie rock that the late 90s was built on, with shades of Superchunk and the most melodic side of Archers of Loaf. It's pure noisey indie power pop, which they do to perfection. What's interesting is the band was originally started as a two-piece post-punk/hardcore band, they naturally veered towards their current hook driven sound. I think we'll all be pretty happy they did. Edger's debut EP, Rudiments , is due out June 10 on Land Ski Records . You can listen to "Holy Armour" below, and check out their Bandcamp .

Photo credit:  Aaron Fenster Murder Shoes are described as "surf" in their profile. Maybe this is what surfing sounds like in their hometown of Minneapolis, MN, because this sounds nothing like any surf I've ever heard before. That's a good thing. While they might have a slight surf rock base, they also bring in elements of 60s French pop, indie rock, gothic rockabilly, and just a hint of the shoegaze trend that's been taking over Minnesota lately. "Maybe You Can" showcases Tess Weinberg's haunting vocals being surrounded by this out of control, swirling rock track. It's a bunch of stuff we've all heard before, but never put together like this. It's both familiar and strikingly unique. Murder Shoes' debut self-titled EP is due out May 1 on Land Ski Records. You can find out more information on their website . You can listen to "Maybe You Can" below, and check out their Bandcamp to pre-order . Murder Shoes by Murder S...

Minnesota strikes again with yet another great band. The Person & The People released What a Drag back in October, and it might be the power pop record of the year. It's the kind of power pop that hasn't been made in decades, with influences ranging from Big Star to Weezer and Teenage Fanclub. This is the 2nd release from this group of high school friends, and their 1st on Land Ski Records . "I Get Weird" is my favorite side 1 track 1 of the year. It comes in at less than 2 minutes, which is the perfect length for this catchy as hell with crunchy guitars track. "Vitamin C" is the lead single, and it sounds like a sequel to Fountain of Wayne's "Radiation Vibe."  As close as the newest Weezer album is to a return to the classic Weezer sound,   What a Drag  comes closer. It's just a great group of noisy yet beautiful power pop songs. What a Drag  is out now on Land Ski Records. You can listen to it now on Bandcamp . I don't belie...