If It's Too Loud...

Last month saw the release of "Cabin," the long awaited new single from The Secret Sisters. It was a much more mainstream sound than we've come to expect from the duo, and, as I said then, it actually kinda rocked. Their newest single, "Hold You Dear," shows a return to more traditional folk than the previous single did, although it's mostly by comparison. "Hold You Dear" is more modern than earlier releases from The Secret Sisters, but it's still fairly traditional at he art. As the band explains the song: "This one is especially personal, but we believe you will know exactly what we felt in its conception.  It is a song about time and the way it runs out.  It is a song about living moment by moment, and savoring the precious gifts life offers each of us." And yes, the song is just as heart-wrenching as that description makes it out to be. You can listen to "Hold You Dear" below.  Saturn Return , the new album from The ...

Since we last heard from The Secret Sisters, they've been through quite a bit. As they announced their upcoming album in a Facebook post, they explain: "After a long hiatus, we’re proud to announce our newest collection of songs coming February 28, 2020. These songs were conceived in a season of grief, transformation, identity crisis, and observation. For the first time, we channeled our individual emotions as we faced the loss of our grandmothers, struggled with infertility, and found the joy that comes with new life. Now, on the other side of it all, we present this work to you as new mothers, new musicians, new women. We a ccept and stand unafraid of the pain that leaves permanent marks, and we are not without hope." With the new album comes a wildly different sound. Gone is the purely traditional folk we loved with their previous two albums. "Cabin" has a much more modern and mainstream folk sound. Plus, and I never expected to describe a Secret Sister...

A solid week. Album of the Week : Artist : The Secret Sisters Album : You Don't Own Me Anymore Quick Description : Long-awaited third album from the folkies. Why You Should Listen : This is a gorgeous, amazing album. Overall Thoughts : I won’t lie – the second Secret Sisters album didn’t grab me the way the first one did. This new album sounded promising given the early music that was released, and the whole album is a nice, familiar relief. I loved every aspect of this, which is why it’s my album of the week – it’s taken a few albums, but they’ve really perfected their sound. The harmonies are spot on, the music absolutely gorgeous. There is nothing negative I can say about this, and it’s an album that needs to be on your list for listening this week. Recommendation : A must-listen, easily the best of the week. Artist : Katy Perry Album : Witness Quick Description : Pop starlet's latest. Why You Should Listen : It's not what you think. Overall Thoughts ...

In what seems to be a recurring theme, for a limited time NoiseTrade is offering two singles from The Secret Sisters' upcoming album as well as a song from their PledgeMusic acoustic session. It's a collection of three songs total, but it's great to tide us over while we wait for The Secret Sisters' long awaited new album. The Secret Sisters might have the most perfect retro country/folk sound out there, to the point that even their originals sound like they might be covers of classics. It's all harmonies and gorgeous melodies. You Don't Own Me Anymore Singles Pack + PledgeMusic Sessions offers you "Tennessee River Runs Low" (which we brought to you back in March ) and "He's Fine," which is offered in both album versions and the PledgeMusic Sessions version.  You can get a copy of  You Don't Own Me Anymore Singles Pack + PledgeMusic Sessions for a limited time via NoiseTrade . You Don't Own Me Anymore will be available on June...

Photo by Abraham Rowe It feels like it's been forever since the last album from The Secret Sisters. Not too many musicians start off the way Laura and Lydia did. In 2009 they showed up at an audition in Nashville. They had never performed together in public, and three months later they were signed to a major label. They opened for Levon Helm and Ray LaMontagne on their first ever tour. Then, in 2015, they were left without a label and were dealing with a lawsuit and potential bankruptcy. That led them to crowdsource their third album, and luckily for them, Brandi Carlile asked to produce. "Tennessee River Runs Low" is the first single from that album. Without a major label, The Secret Sisters are finally allowed to develop their own sound. Their first album was pure classic country (and was mostly filled with classic country covers), their second was more of the same with just enough growth, and "Tennessee River Runs Low" moves in a great new direction. Do...

Valentine's Day sucks. We spend weeks getting faux romance crammed down our throats and then we're stuck spending a ridiculous amount of money to prove we're in love on a day that means nothing to anyone. Plus, most romantic music is outrageously terrible. You know what's better than romantic music? Break up music. Which is what the 2017 If It's Too Loud... Valentine's Day playlist consists of. I might have leaned a bit too heavily on old timey country, but is there anything better for the negative sides of love than classic country? Aside from that, there's a ton of 90s alternative, which my knowledge of sad sack 90s alternative shows what my romantic life was like back in that decade. [Note: There might be two Lemonheads songs, but one is an 80s Ben Deily song and the other is a 2000s Evan Dando one, so it's completely different.] This is perfect for anyone that doesn't give a crap about the most forcibly romantic holiday of the year or that enjo...

Seeing how much we love covers and the current retro country thing going on in music right now, we're pretty big fans of The Secret Sisters, who do classic country covers like no one else in music today. With Sunday being Christmas and all, they've given their fans a free download of their version of "Little Drummer Boy." "Little Drummer Boy" is one of the most traditional of all Christmas songs, and it might be the perfect choice for The Secret Sisters. It's all just harmony and just the slightest hint of guitar.  You can download a free copy of "Little Drummer Boy" over at Noisetrade . For more information on The Secret Sisters (who are currently taking pre-orders for their new album on PledgeMusic ) head on over to their website .

A slow week for us here, but some tax day goodies came out this week that you might like to hear. The Secret Sisters - Put Your Needle Down : I fell in love with The Secret Sisters with their first album, which had some nice traditional songs interspersed with some fun originals. Their second album is more of the same in many regards, but doesn't feel like an old retread like some other sophomore efforts do. If you enjoyed The Haden Triplets and their effort this year, you might end up liking this one more. Jessica Lea Mayfield - Make My Head Sing... : When I first dove into the roots/bluegrass genre a few years back, Jessica Lea Mayfield is a name that popped up semi-regularly. I loved her second album in particular and I've been rather impatient in waiting for a new one to come out. This album is certainly a far cry from the rootsy stuff she started out with, and even her previous album showed signs of trying to branch out and find her sound. That exploration continu...