If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Silversun Pickups Album : Physical Thrills Quick Thoughts : I think it was "Well-Thought Out Twinkles" that I fell in love with way, way back (and is a fun song to drum to on Rock Band , and they've kept up appearances pretty well with their Smashing Pumpkins Without the Conspiracy Theories rock over the years. This latest album is maybe my favorite since their second record, and has a few songs that would rightfully be considered classics of theirs at this stage. I feel like this band doesn't get their alt-rock due, and they really deserve better. Give this one a listen. Songs of Note : "Hereafter (Way After)," "Scared Together," "Empty Nest" Artist : Why Bonnie Album : 90 in November Quick Thoughts : "Galveston" hit some discovery playlist a few months back and it went on constant rotation. 90 in November is a wonderful slice of indie rock with a ton of great songs and a fun presentation. If you like the s...

Photo by Grace Pendleton Why Bonnie started out in Texas but are now Brooklyn based. According to the press release for their new single, their upcoming album was inspired by artists like Townes Van Zandt, The Lemonheads, The Replacements, Sheryl Crowe, and Sparklehorse. You're going to hear all of that in "Sailor Mouth." The new song crashes over you in a wave of feedback and static before settling into itself. There is just something very 90's alt-rock about the way Why Bonnie is using the feedback to set you up for a gorgeous alt-rock song. It's catchy music that sounds like mainstream pop rock and maybe even adult contemporary today, but would have been in the Buzz Bins of twenty-five to thirty years ago. Maybe it's just the subtle hints of twang in singer Blair Howerton's vocals, but "Sailor Mouth" keeps just the slightest bit of country in tact. You can watch the video for "Sailor Mouth" below. 90 in November is due out August 19 ...

Photo by Grace Pendelton According to the press release, Texas' Why Bonnie's latest single was inspired by artists like Sheryl Crow and Sparklehorse. As soon as you listen to "Galveston," you'll those inspirations become quite apparent. The song has that pop and kinda country inflected pop sound that Sheryl Crow mastered in the 90's, but also that dreamy alt-rock fuzz we loved from Sparklehorse. These are two artists I would never think could inspire the same song, but that I'm hearing the outcome I wish we had more. Despite having an original sound, Why Bonnie are hitting an oddly nostalgic spot for me on this one. Singer/songwriter Blair Howerton says of the new single: “An ode to Galveston, Texas — the capital of ghosts and good memories. One of the most literal recollections of growing up in Southeast Texas, ‘Galveston’ is a snapshot of an old childhood haunt." You can watch the video for "Galveston" below. The song is available as a sin...

Photo by Pooneh Ghana According to the band, "Athlete" is the most "rock and roll" song off of Why Bonnie's upcoming EP. It's definitely a rock song, but "Athlete" is much more groovy than just being a pure straight up rocker. It has quiet, almost dream-like moments mixed with some heavier psychedelia. It's almost like a dream-pop meets garage rock song, or  garage rock light (and I mean that in a good way). It's a song that has beautiful moments mixed with moments that just rock... and are still quite pretty, to be honest. You can watch the video for "Athlete" below. Voice Box , the new EP from Why Bonnie, will be out April 10 on Fat Possum Records. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Why Bonnie, check them out on Facebook and Twitter .

Photo by Pooneh Ghana Austin's Why Bonnie create some of the most lush and hypnotic dream pop around. Their latest single, "Voice Box," drones on in the best possible way with fuzzy, swirling guitars. What truly makes "Voice Box" stand out among the dream pop revival going on right now is Singer Blair Howerton's voice. I'm not sure if her voice would stand out in another genre of music, but it's perfectly suited to Why Bonnie's style. In fact, her vocals blend with the music in a way that just adds to the hypnotic aspects of "Voice Box." Did the song last a few minutes? Maybe half an hour? That's how sucked into the song you can get, that you just lose sense of time while it's playing. But you'll know you need more. You can watch the video for "Voice Box" below. Why Bonnie's new EP, also called Voice Box , will be out April 10 on Fat Possum. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Why Bonnie, check ou...