If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Abigail Lapell Album : Anniversary Quick Thoughts : We got an advance listen of this one and I'll say that this album feels like her most cohesive and immediate set of tunes so far. I love so much of this, and the fact that the Great Lake Swimmers have involvement just adds additional value. Abigail Lapell does folk music better than most, so give this a spin. Songs of Note : "Annivesary Song," "Rattlesnake," "Blue Blaze" Artist : Potatohead People Album : Eat Your Heart Out Quick Thoughts : I don't know if we're in a golden age of hip hop producers putting out great music or what, but Potatohead People were new to me and I am officially a fan. A solid album of beats and beeps with cool guest spots, and it just works from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this one. Songs of Note : "Last Nite," "Distant Luv," "Follow Your Heart," "Secret Mission," "For the Soul" Artist : Lunch...

Artist : Lunchbox Album : After School Special Quick Description : Lovely, fun indie pop. Why You Should Listen : It's like a transporter to turn-of-the-century indie rock. Overall Thoughts : Apparently it's been a while since Lunchbox shared anything new, but I was not expecting to have a 30 minute nostalgia episode. After School Special would fit right in with any of the early Elephant Six releases. I loved every moment of this, and I am really hoping the novelty doesn't wear off anytime soon. Recommendation : Probably the most fun you'll have this week. Artist : Luluc Album : Dreamboat Quick Description : New and lovely folk album from a personal favorite. Why You Should Listen : Luluc is always a solid choice. Overall Thoughts : There's plenty of folk music out there, and folk-adjacent stuff that's trying to make a case for itself. So what sets Luluc apart? It's sometimes that there's a haunting feel to the whole thing, it's so...

We're a week away from the new album from Lunchbox and the Oakland duo have another single from that album. "Over Way Too Soon" is everything we love from Lunchbox. It's an upbeat, almost summery draped in 60's AM radio vintage vibes and 90's indie rock sensibilities... which I guess is also vintage at this point. The horns in "Over Way Too Soon" are particularly groovy and truly create the ambiance of the song. Lunchbox explain their single and video:  "'Over Way Too Soon' plays with themes of love, death and impermanence against the backdrop of the ever-changing Oakland cityscape. Singer/ghost Donna McKean haunts guitarist Tim Brown across the sites of their shared personal past and the gentrifying public present. At once love letter to Oakland and requiem for lost love, the song and video are a pop meditation on how nothing, from favorite bars to sites of first dates, can ever stay the same. 'Over Way Too Soon' is about all th...

One of my favorite forgotten bands from my college radio days is back with an upcoming new album! Apparently Lunchbox kept existing long after they moved out of my attention, and have a new single to check out. "I Really Wanna Know" sounds like a bizarro early 60's pop song. It's the kind of early rock 'n' roll or soul that The Beatles would have covered, but with this modern indie rock swirl/warped sound. It has all the beauty and catchiness from music six decades past, but with a modern indie feel. You can watch the video for "I Really Wanna Know" below. After School Special , the upcoming album from Lunchbox, will be out October 30 on Slumberland Records. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Lunchbox, check them out on Facebook and Twitter .

Tim Brown and Donna McKean have been making music as Lunchbox since the 1990's. I distinctly remember greatly enjoying their 1999 album The Magic of Sound  back in my college radio days. They are now back with a new song, "Dream Parade." The new song is what would now be called dream pop. It stops just short of whimsical, and is a beautiful, mid-tempo little jam. The song is impossible catchy, and is far more inventive and sonically interesting than you would realize upon first listen. It's also ninety seconds long, which is an anomaly for this genre of music. It's just enough to leave us wanting to hear a whole lot more from Lunchbox in 2020. You can watch the video for "Dream Parade" below. After School Special , the upcoming album from Lunchbox, is due October 30 on Slumberland Records. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Lunchbox, check them out on Facebook and Twitter .