If It's Too Loud...

We're huge fans of just about anything Bloodshot Records puts out, so we're thrilled that they recently released a digital only label b-sides, alternate versions, and covers compilation. Pandemophenia is a seventeen song compilation featuring all of our favorites from Bloodshot Records. "I'm Not There Yet" is as good as anything on Jason Hawk Harris's 2019 album Love & the Dark. William Elliott Whitmore has a new wonderfully rough sounding folk tune called "New Skateboard." Barrence Whitfield and the Savages share Soul Flowers of Titan bonus track "Dream of June." ROOKIE adds an acoustic, old-timey version of last year's "Hold on Tight." And then there's the covers. Ruby Boots does a version of Tom Petty's "Keeping Me Alive," which may only exist as an outtake from the posthumous An American Treasure box set. Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers bring us a version of "This Land is Your La...

I knew I was going to love Human Question from The Yawpers as soon as I heard the lead off track, "Child of Mercy." It's a three minute burst that starts off as a down home country rock song. Sure, it's a little edgier than your typical country rock song, but it's still country rock. And then the song just explodes into this insane noise rock epic, all while still having the twang of country. I was immediately in love upon the first listen. Human Question  never quite hits this level again, but insisting that it should would be impossible to maintain. It's ten songs that blend country rock, punk, metal, and noise rock into this seemless blend. Not every song is every genre, and the songs sometimes meander into different genres one right after the other, but this album is an absolute delight to discover. Songs of note: "Child of Mercy," "Dancing On My Knees," "Earn Your Heaven," and "Forgiveness Through Pain"

A super, super busy week. Artist : Anna Tivel Album : The Question Quick Description : Latest from a favorite folky. Why You Should Listen : Anna Tivel does something a lot more special than you'd initially think. Overall Thoughts : I’m trying to figure out what it is that makes Anna Tivel so compelling. She’s a favorite here, and I assume it’s likely due to the delicate nature of her instrumentation, or maybe it’s because her vocals work so well with the structures of her songs, or maybe it’s just songs like “Minneapolis” (her best songs are named after places), or maybe it’s just because she is so good at what she does from start to finish. This is an obvious must-listen for anyone into the more folkish side of things, and I hope this ends up being an overdue breakthrough for her. Recommendation : Make sure you give this a listen. Artist : Tami T Album : High Pitched and Moist Quick Description : Brutally honest electronic confessionals. Why You Should Listen : ...

Photo by Megan Holmes Every so often we come across a song that completely blows our minds and doesn't sound like anything we've heard before. This new song from The Yawpers is that type of song. Jeff described their 2017 release Boy in a Well as " A somewhat schizophrenic effort that has a foundation in the rootsy genres." That did not prepare us for their new song at all.   For their new album, The Yawpers recorded together in a single room, helping to give "Child of Mercy" an energy. The Yawpers are on Bloodshot Records, so you know it will fall into the alt-country category. But "Child of Mercy" is alt-country meets Goo and Dirty era Sonic Youth, but metal. You get a great intense alt-country song with a killer groove throughout, and then these absurd noise bursts kick in. But these are intensely heavy noise bursts. The song clocks in at just over three minutes, but it feels like an eight minute epic considering everything you've been ...

A slowish week with some real gems. Album of the Week Artist : Rainer Maria Album : S/T Quick Description : Comeback album from the indie rock darlings. Why You Should Listen : Because Rainer Maria rules, that's why. Overall Thoughts : I got into Rainer Maria VERY late. They had already broken up by the time I discovered them, most likely in a post-Reputation haze, and they've played a few comeback shows but the new album was a long time coming. It's here now, though, and it's basically exactly what I wanted. No, there's no "Ears Ring" here, but this sounds like a band that's known for an out-of-style genre that's back together for another run. It's just simply a must-listen, and the best of the week. A very welcome return. Recommendation : This is so good, guys. Artist : The Two Tens Album : On Repeat Quick Description : Garage-style power pop. Why You Should Listen : You always wondered what the love child of The Hives and...