If It's Too Loud...

Hailing from Minneapolis, Lunch Duchess have just released their debut EP and are about to embark on their first west coast tour. My Mom Says I Have a Rich Inner Life  is comprised of four lo-fi tracks of indie rock delight. It reminds me a lot of early Colleen Green meets Peach Kelli Pop. Or, for us old fogeys, a more twee version of That Dog's debut album. "Cry" is more upbeat and with handclaps despite the name of the song. "How You Love" is more quiet, with an almost disturbing and hypnotic tranquility. My Mom Says I Have a Rich Inner Life  is available now through Bandcamp . For more on Lunch Duchess, check them out on Facebook . You can listen to "Unable/Unwilling" below. We've also included their current tour dates below that. 6/29 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club 6/30 Omaha, NE – Milk Run 7/1 Kansas City, MO – House Show 7/2 Denver, CO – Club Scum 7/3 Provo, UT – Studio Studio Dada 7/5 Bellingham, WA – Alternative Library 7/6 Va...

It's been far too long since we've heard from Milwaukee's Brief Candles. Luckily for us, teh band has released the first single from an upcoming full length. "Provisions" starts off simply enough. Brief Candles do this beautiful blend of pop leaning shoegaze ( I have previously described it as a cross between Guided By Voices and My Bloody Valentine ), and "Provisions" furthers that perfectly. It's mid-tempo, jangly, and just enough to bop along to. And then something happens. Shoegaze songs always have these little parts that seem like the song might devolve into chaos, but they never do. It's just not what shoegaze does. But then "Provisions" does. It ends in what can only be described as Sonic Youth trying to cover Iron Butterfly. And it's glorious. Brief Candles' next full length isn't due until the fall, so get ready to listen to "Provisions" a ton while we wait. Luckily, you can do that below. You can als...

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 .

Brilliant Beast are back, this time with a full length due out on November 6th. The Minneapolis band, started by brother/sister pair Hannah and Jordan Porter, have made the first single, "Like Dreaming," available to listen. "Like Dreaming" is virtually perfect with equal parts fuzzed out droney shoegaze and pop sensibilities. This time around, there is a darker element and a sense of foreboding lurking around the edges of the song. Maybe it's just the Halloween anticipation inside of me, but this feels like the soundtrack to an indie horror film, especially the way it cuts out at the end.  Brilliant Beast's debut full length, Dissolve, is due out November 6. For more information, check out the band's Bandcamp and Facebook . You can download "Like Dreaming" on Soundcloud , and watch the just released video below.

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.

I'm always amazed by how many great bands keep coming out of Minneapolis. The Electric Circus released their EP back on April 1st, and just debuted their first video from it for "You Know I Know." "You Know I Know is a burst of old fashioned heavy 60s psychedelia. It's more on par with Pink Floyd and the Jimi Hendrix Experience than the lighter hippie stuff that normally gets labelled psychedelic. The heavy organ on the track also reminds me a lot of Iron Butterfly. It's perfect for anyone who likes their jam bands heavy and trippy as balls. You can check out The Electric Circus' debut EP on their Bandcamp . Make sure to follow them on Facebook since they should have another release in the next couple of weeks. The video for "You Know I Know" is below.

Valet first formed in Minnesota back in 1998, back when describing a band as "plodding" was considered a high compliment. They released their first EP in 1999, and their final album in 2004. Now, a decade later, they are back with their first song since 2004. "Start it Somewhere" is a great reintroduction to the band. It's a mid-tempo plodder that never quite builds to the explosion it promises, but that's ok. It's a track filled with hope and promise about staying true to yourself while becoming the working drone you never quite expected. Not exactly one for the kids, but us old people need the occasional anthem, too. The Truth Might Not Be Here , Valet's first release in 10 years, is due out in July on Guilt Ridden Pop. In the meantime, check out the video for "Start it Somewhere" below, and head on over to their Bandcamp for a free download.

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 .

Back in March, we wrote about a split EP from Minnesota's Fury Things and Brilliant Beast. Now Fury Things are back with a new EP, Saskatchewan EP , which especially got our attention for featuring a cover of Hüsker Dü's classic "New Day Rising." Since we love covers, bands from Minnesota, and Hüsker Dü here, we kind of need to make sure you all know about it. The cover stays completely true to the original, which makes me wonder if I would have preferred Fury Things to try to make it their own or not. Currently I can't decide. Saskatchewan EP is available as a free download. Head on over to Fury Things' Bandcamp to get your copy. You can listen to their cover of "New Day Rising" below.

Minneapolis's music scene is stuck in the very best parts of the 90s. It's pretty amazing that the scene keeps churning out bands that are heavily influenced by that decade but still sound modern. The latest is Clementine with their recently released album Crooked Brain. Their sound is reminiscent of bands like Spiritualized and Slint, but a little more poppy. "Blood Diamonds" borrows a lot from Spiderland , with it's spoken/shouted word parts. "Float" might be my favorite, reminding me quite a bit of Pablo Honey  and The Bends  era Radiohead. Basically, if you went to the 1998 Radiohead/Spiritualized tour, you'll be very happy with this album. "The Leaves Are Changing Brown" is one of the most unexpected and fantastic ballads I've heard in years. With the majority of the album packing a much stronger punch, this track is just nuanced enough to stand out. Crooked Brain (the name is what seems to be an obvious homage to Pavement'...

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...

Last year we wrote about the great Minneapolis shoegaze band Brilliant Beast. Last week they released a split EP with fellow Minnesota natives Fury Things, and it's a fantastic pairing. For their 2 songs, Fury Things wrote the songs on a Friday and recorded on Sunday. "Some Things" was recorded in just one take, which gives it this perfect feel of urgency and fun. Their tracks don't feel like Minnesota, but are what shoegaze would sound like if it was created by indie rock loving southern Californians. It's just the finest droney power pop you can imagine. Brilliant Beast are just the slightest opposite of the same coin as Fury Things. "No Fate" the extreme poppy end of the shoegaze spectrum, but they definitely rely more on the spacey, fuzzed out sounds of the genre, but with a strong 90s alternapop base. "Heaven" is a droned out as can be power ballad, the kind that would be a hit at a prom if high school kids had access to better drugs....

There's nothing revolutionary about Minneapolis's Narco States. They're doing the exact same type of garage/psych rock that has been around for at least 50 years. That might be what is so fantastic about them. There aren't many bands that tap into the exact vibe of the 60s garage movement. They capture the perfect, timeless sound for anyone who's a fan of The 13th Floor Elevators, Lyres, and every band that has ever played "Louie Louie." I think that's what is what is so great about garage rock. As soon as you hear it, it screams "1960s," but it doesn't sound dated at all. Narco States released Wicked Sun  back in December. It's an instant classic with only 8 songs. "The Architect" is a stand out track, and it crams all of the epic-ness of "Teenage Riot" into under 4 minutes. The actual epic of the album, "Invasion," is the shortest near 7 minute song in existence. You know how The Stooges always had ...

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...

Back in the early days of If It's Too Loud, I wrote about great neo-Riot Grrl band Kitten Forever. Well, they're back with a brand new video for "Rat Queen." Besides doing a killer modern version of bands like Bikini Kill and Cake Like, the video is a throwback to the type of videos Sonic Youth made for Goo : A slight background change, a couple outfits, some instruments, and you have a video! They're also wrapping up a tour that gets them out of the Minneapolis area. Unfortunately, there are no New England dates for us, but maybe next time. You can watch the video for "Rat Queen" below, and their current tour dates are below that. Also, head on over to their Bandcamp page to listen to all their albums. Nov 6 - Saratoga Springs, NY @ Skidmore College Nov 9 - Philadelphia, PA @ House Show w/ Urine Culture, Pebbles Nov 10 - Kent, OH @ Eurogyro w/ Ride or Die and The Bijous Nov 11- Columbus, OH @ House Show w/ Skurt and Etc Etc Etc_  Nov 13 -...

When we started this blog, I was worried we'd turn into a Boston-centric blog, since so many of the bands Jeff and I like are from Boston, it's so much easier to discover new bands from where you're from, and being from the Boston area leads to an insane level of homer-ism. Lately I've been receiving so many submissions from fantastic Minnesota bands, I'm starti ng to have the opposite concern. What is going on in Minnesota that is birthing all these great rock bands? Singer/guitarist Drew Forsberg used to record under the name The Persian Leaps for years, but never shared his music until 2012 when he joined with Brad Hendrickson, Michael McCloskey, and Neil McCloskey.  Back in August, The Persian Leaps released their debut offering, Praise Elephants. It's five songs of fuzzy, heartfelt rock with its roots in predecessors such as The Afghan Whigs or The Sheila Divine. "Silent Treatment" is by far my favorite. With its gang vocals saved for verses...